Joshua 9:13

And these bottles of wine, which we filled, [were] new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

And these bottles {H4997} of wine {H3196}, which we filled {H4390}, were new {H2319}; and, behold, they be rent {H1234}: and these our garments {H8008} and our shoes {H5275} are become old {H1086} by reason of the very {H3966} long {H7230} journey {H1870}.

And these wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, now they're torn. Likewise these clothes of ours and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey."

These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”

and these wine-skins, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they are rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

Commentary

Joshua 9:13 KJV is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Gibeonite deception, where the inhabitants of Gibeon attempt to trick Joshua and the Israelites into making a treaty with them. This verse describes the "proof" they offer for their supposed long journey: worn-out provisions.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the miraculous victories at Jericho and Ai, the fame of Israel's God and their military prowess had spread throughout Canaan. The Gibeonites, a Hivite people living relatively close to Israel's encampment at Gilgal, feared for their lives. Rather than fighting, they devised a cunning plan to secure a peace treaty. According to Mosaic Law, Israel was commanded to utterly destroy the nations within Canaan (Deuteronomy 20:16-18), but they could make treaties with cities "very far off" (Deuteronomy 20:15). The Gibeonites exploited this distinction, presenting themselves as ambassadors from a distant land to avoid destruction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deception and Cunning: The Gibeonites were masters of disguise, using their appearance to convey a false narrative. This verse highlights the elaborate nature of their trickery.
  • The Danger of Appearances: Joshua and the leaders of Israel were misled by what they saw – old clothes, burst wineskins, and moldy bread – and failed to discern the truth.
  • Lack of Discernment: A critical lesson from this event, underscored in the subsequent verses, is Israel's failure to inquire of the Lord before making a decision. Their reliance on superficial evidence led them into a binding covenant they later regretted.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "these bottles of wine, which we filled, [were] new; and, behold, they be rent" refers to wineskins, typically made from animal hides. New wineskins were supple and could expand with the fermentation of new wine. The Gibeonites claimed their new wineskins had burst (Hebrew: baqa', meaning 'to cleave, burst forth') due to the journey, implying extreme age and wear. This imagery is famously used by Jesus in the New Testament when speaking about new wine in old wineskins, symbolizing the incompatibility of new teachings with old rigid structures.

Practical Application

Joshua 9:13 serves as a timeless reminder about the importance of discernment. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where first impressions or presented "evidence" can be misleading. This passage encourages us to:

  • Look Beyond the Surface: Not everything is as it appears. It's crucial to investigate and not be swayed solely by outward signs.
  • Seek Divine Wisdom: Just as Israel neglected to consult God, we too can make hasty decisions without seeking guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding.
  • Understand Consequences: The treaty with the Gibeonites had long-term implications for Israel, demonstrating that decisions made under false pretenses can have lasting effects.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.

← Back