Ambush

 

    Ambush is a surprise attack on an enemy from a concealed position.  The person (people) that ambush have an advantage over the attacked.  In Hebrew it is laarov (לֶאֱרוֹב) which means "a place of lying-in-wait".  In Aramaic it is ma'ărāḇ which means a "lurking-place".  In Greek it is enédra (ενέδρα).  In Latin it is insidiae.  

    English gets the word ambush from the Middle English word enbuschen which originated from the Anglo-French word embuscher.  The earliest time the word ambush was used was by William Claxton in 1489.

    God helped Israel defeat Ai by having Joshua set up an ambush.  God ordered Joshua not to be afraid. or discouraged, but go attack.  All the land was promised to them.  Ai would be destroyed like Jericho, but this time they were allowed to keep the plunder and livestock.  

    The ambush was set behind the town.  Joshua's warriors went out during the night to find their hiding place.  A few allowed themselves to be seen in the morning light, so that when Ai warriors gave chase the hidden ones were able to attack the city easily.  They did as God ordered and were victorious.

    Israel set another ambush, but this time it was at Gibeah.  For three days they fought.  The third day, Benjamin drew their warriors away from the city.  Israel had been losing, so Gibeah thought it would be an easy slaughter and it did appear that way.  Many died, but their sacrifice gave the others motivation to stop holding back.

Joshua 8:1-8 & Judges 20:29-31