How to Pronounce Ai

We’ve all struggled to pronounce Bible names and places, especially those pesky Old Testament names! This free audio Bible name pronunciation guide is a valuable tool in your study of God’s word. Click the PLAY button below to hear how to pronounce Ai . There is also a phonetic guide to use to see the proper pronunciation of Ai . For more information about Ai , check out the Easton Bible dictionary entry as well.

Audio Pronunciation of Ai

Phonetic Pronunciation of Ai

AY-ee

How to Say Ai

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Learn more about Ai

Introduction to Ai

Ai, meaning "Ruin" in Hebrew, was a Canaanite city located near Bethel in the central hill country of ancient Israel. It plays a significant role in the biblical narrative during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. Ai is best known for its defeat of the Israelites due to Achan’s sin and its subsequent destruction following a strategic ambush orchestrated by Joshua. The story of Ai illustrates themes of sin, repentance, divine judgment, and restoration.

Ai Pronunciation

“Ai” is pronounced as AY-eye, with emphasis on the first syllable.

Ai in the Bible

Initial Defeat

Ai is first mentioned in Joshua 7, where the Israelites suffer a humiliating defeat after their initial victory at Jericho. Overconfident, they send a small force to conquer Ai, but they are routed due to the hidden sin of Achan, who had taken forbidden spoils from Jericho. This defeat demonstrates that victory in Canaan depended on the Israelites' obedience to God’s commands.

Sin of Achan and Restoration

The defeat at Ai leads Joshua to seek God’s guidance, uncovering Achan’s disobedience. After Achan and his family are punished, the Israelites are restored to favor with God, setting the stage for a renewed attempt to conquer Ai (Joshua 7:16-26).

Victory and Destruction

In Joshua 8, the Israelites employ a clever military strategy to defeat Ai. Joshua sets an ambush, drawing the city’s forces out while a separate group enters and sets the city ablaze. The entire population of Ai is destroyed, and its king is hanged, fulfilling the divine command to devote the city to destruction. Ai is left in ruins, consistent with its name (Joshua 8:1-29).

Ai in Biblical History and Context

Ai’s location is traditionally identified with et-Tell, a site about 2 miles east of Bethel. Archaeological evidence suggests the site was uninhabited during the Late Bronze Age, raising questions about the historicity of the conquest narrative. Some scholars propose alternate locations or interpret the story as a theological reflection on obedience and divine power rather than a historical account.

Theological Significance of Ai

The story of Ai emphasizes the necessity of covenantal obedience for victory and blessing. It highlights the corporate nature of Israel’s accountability to God, where one person’s sin impacts the entire community. The ultimate victory at Ai demonstrates God’s mercy and the restoration that follows genuine repentance.

Related Terms and Meanings

- Bethel: A neighboring city near Ai, often mentioned alongside it in the Bible. - Achan: The Israelite whose sin caused the initial defeat at Ai. - Jericho: The city whose conquest immediately preceded the events at Ai.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Ai

- The name “Ai,” meaning “Ruin,” may have reflected the city’s desolate state after its destruction. - Ai’s defeat by Israel was one of the first recorded instances of a military ambush in the Bible. - The ambush strategy used at Ai influenced later accounts of warfare in Israel’s history. - Ai is later mentioned in Nehemiah 11:31 as a resettlement site during the post-exilic period, indicating its continued significance in Israel’s geography and memory.