Meaning of HAI

"pile of mines."
(a) Canaanite city-state.
Abraham knew it, because he pitched his tent "with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east" (Gen. 12:8).

It was conquered by Joshua, after a defeat due to Achan's sin, by means of a stratagem. It was burned and turned into a heap of ruins (Josh. 7:2-5; 8:1-29; 10:1, 2).

It was near Bethel, in the field of Benjamin, and was evidently rebuilt, because it is mentioned in Ezra. 2:28; Neh. 7:32.

It is probable that Achat, in Is. 10:28, and Ai de Neh. 10:31 be the same, because of the places mentioned next to them.
In this district ruins are found scattered along a narrow summit, and there is a depression between the rocky heights, very suitable for an ambush such as that planned by Joshua.

The ruins are called Haiyan, and are located at 31° 55' N, 35° 16' E. There you can vividly imagine the biblical narrative of the capture of Hai.

(b) Unknown city of the Ammonites (Jer. 49:3).