Why "about" thirty-six, why not thirty-six? Joshua 7:5

Question

It’s one thing to say about 30 men, it’s another to say about 36 men. At this point 36 is a specific and exact number. Why would it be worded this way? Depending on the translation and language it’s about, almost, around...

Were some of them boys, maybe women? Is this trying to draw attention to another passage, theme, subject? Were some struck but not all died?

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men; and they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them at the descent; and the hearts of the people melted, and became as water

Answer 1

The Narrative
There are two ways combat loses are determined after the battle. One is by direct observation: "I saw so and so killed." The other is by taking role: "So and so did not return." The text is silent as to how the number was determined, but implies it was done immediately:

So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water. Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. (Joshua 7:4-6) [ESV]

Immediate reports of causalities are never precise. Some who were wounded could die later; some who were thought to have been killed may have been only wounded; some who did not return with the group may straggle in later. This is especially so in situations where the conflict involved pursuit. "Shebarim" (a hapax legomenon), may be "so called, perhaps, from the mines, or stone quarries, which lay in the neighbourhood"¹ or "crevices, or ravines. A short distance below Ai the road passes the head of steep glens, which open into the plain of Jordan." ²

Terrain with mines, quarries, crevices, or ravines offer the ability to avoid the pursuing enemy by hiding. So one who did not return with the main force is reported as missing, presumed dead, but may be alive.

Conclusion
The focus of the narrative is on the reaction to the defeat. It is easy to envision an exchange between Joshua and the leader of the returning company: "What happened?" "The men of Ai were too strong and we fled." "Did we lose anyone?" "About 36 were killed." Upon learning of the defeat and loss of life, Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth and was joined by the elders before the Ark.

There may well be some symbolic nature underlying the number; however, a report of "about" is how an initial report of casualties is made. That is to say, a good commander would report the number who did not return as lost in combat, hoping the actual loss of life is less.

1. Cambridge Bible Commentary
2. Ellicott's Commentary

Answer 2

Upon rereading this passage it occurred to me that they didn’t have an exact number of combatants to begin with.

“So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭7:4

It therefore stands to reason that if they didn’t have an exact number of men who went up to Ai, upon tallying those who were struck was not an exact count.

The count must have been conducted immediately after their retreat which would have left open the possibility that some either didn’t go up, or were expected to return to camp but presumed dead for the time being.

Until further notice about 36 were struck dead (with the anticipation that one or more were in hiding).

It was not uncommon in warfare at that time to wait at least a day before returning to your own camp.

“And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2:16‬

Or

“But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10:16‬ ‭