Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 7:2

2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai , which is beside Beth-aven , on the east-side of Beth-el , and spake unto them saying, Go up and view the countrey. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

Called Hai, Gen. 12. 8. and Aijah, Nehem. 11. 31. They were not to go into the City of Ai, but into the Country bordering and belonging to it, and there to understand the state and quality of the place and people.

So the Hebrew im is used, Gen. 25. 11. and 35. 4. Iudg. 9. 6. and 18. 3. and 19. 11.

A City or Town distinct from, but nigh unto Bethel, though Bethel was afterwards by allusion called Bethaven, Hos. 4. 15. and 10. 5. Compare Ios. 18. 12.

Compare Gen. 12. 8. Ios. 8. 9, 12.