Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Ruins. ) One of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh. 10:1; Gen. 12:8; 13:3). It was the scene of Joshua’s defeat, and afterwards of his victory. It was the second Canaanite city taken by Israel (Josh. 7:2-5; 8:1-29). It lay rebuilt and inhibited by the Benjamites (Ezra 2:28; Neh. 7:32; 11:31). ” The spot which is most probably the site of this ancient city is Haiyan, 2 miles east from Bethel. It lay up the Wady Suweinit, a steep, rugged valley, extending from the Jordan valley to Bethel. ) A city in the Ammonite territory (Jer. 49:3).
Some have thought that the proper reading of the word is Ar (Isa. 15:1).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(heap of ruins).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
A'I (heap of ruins). 1. A city of the Canaanites, Gen 13:3 ; taken by Joshua, Josh 7:2-5 ; Josh 8:1-29 ; also called Aiath, Isa 10:28, and Aija. Neh 11:31. Abraham pitched his tent between Hai and Bethel. Gen 12:8. The two cities were so far apart that Joshua could place an ambush west of Ai unseen by the men of Bethel, while he was in the valley north of Ai. The city of Ai was east of Bethel, and about 9 miles north of Jerusalem. It is named 38 times in the Bible. It is now Haiyas. A city of the Ammonites not far from Heshbon. Jer 49:3.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
or Hai, mass; heap
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
A'I (heap of ruins). 1. A city of the Canaanites, Gen 13:3 ; taken by Joshua, Josh 7:2-5 ; Josh 8:1-29 ; also called Aiath, Isa 10:28, and Aija. Neh 11:31. Abraham pitched his tent between Hai and Bethel. Gen 12:8. The two cities were so far apart that Joshua could place an ambush west of Ai unseen by the men of Bethel, while he was in the valley north of Ai. The city of Ai was east of Bethel, and about 9 miles north of Jerusalem. It is named 38 times in the Bible. It is now Haiyas.