Soon after the fall of Jericho, Joshua determined to attack Ai, a small town among the ravines a few miles to the west of the Jordan Valley. Spies sent to this place brought back the report that the inhabitants were but few, and that only a small force would be needed to overthrow it.

Kort efter Jerikos fald besluttede Josua at angribe Aj, en lille by mellem bjergkløfterne nogle få kilometer vest for Jordandalen. Der blev sendt spejdere til stedet, og de kom tilbage med den meddelelse, at byen kun havde få indbyggere, og at der kun behøvedes en lille hær for at erobre den.