And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, х teel (H8510), heap of ruins]. "For ever" often signifies a long time (Genesis 6:3). One of the remarkable things with regard to the Tell we have identified with Ai is its name-the Tell, or the heap of stones-a name which to this day remains (Van de Velde).
A desolation unto this day - probably a gloss by Ezra, or some later editor.