Joshua 9:18

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} smote {H5221} them not, because the princes {H5387} of the congregation {H5712} had sworn {H7650} unto them by the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}. And all the congregation {H5712} murmured {H3885} against the princes {H5387}.

The people of Isra'el did not attack them, because the leading officials of the community had sworn to them by ADONAI, the God of Isra'el; but all the community grumbled against the leaders.

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

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Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 9:18 (KJV)

Joshua 9:18 details a critical moment in Israel's conquest of Canaan, revealing the immediate aftermath of the Gibeonites' clever deception. This verse highlights the binding nature of an oath sworn in the Lord's name, even when made under false pretenses.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following their decisive victories at Jericho and Ai, the Israelites were commanded by God to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:1-2) due to their idolatry and wickedness. The Gibeonites, a Hivite people living within Canaan, heard of Israel's military might and chose a deceptive strategy rather than direct confrontation. They presented themselves as weary travelers from a very distant land, leading the Israelite princes to make a peace treaty with them. Crucially, the princes failed to inquire of the Lord before entering this covenant. Joshua 9:18 explains why, even after discovering the deception, the Israelites could not "smite them" (destroy them) as they had other Canaanite cities.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sanctity of an Oath: The primary message is the inviolability of an oath sworn by God's name. Despite the Gibeonites' deceit, the Israelite leaders had invoked "the LORD God of Israel," making the covenant sacred and binding. This emphasizes God's faithfulness to His own name and the seriousness with which He views vows and commitments (Numbers 30:2). Breaking such an oath would have brought dishonor upon God's name and potentially severe consequences upon Israel.
  • Consequences of Hasty Decisions: The princes' failure to seek God's counsel before making the treaty led to a morally complex and difficult situation. Their human wisdom, based on outward appearances, proved insufficient, resulting in a binding agreement that contradicted God's broader command for the land.
  • Leadership and Accountability: The verse notes that "all the congregation murmured against the princes." This highlights the burden of leadership and the public's reaction to decisions that have widespread implications. The leaders bore the responsibility for the oath and its unexpected implications.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "smote them not" (Hebrew: ืœึนื ื”ึดื›ึผื•ึผื, lo' hikum) directly refers to the act of destroying them, as was common in the conquest narratives. The critical element is "had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel." This phrase underscores the religious weight placed on the oath, making it a solemn promise witnessed and guaranteed by the supreme deity of Israel.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Seek Divine Counsel: Before making significant decisions, especially those with long-term consequences, it is vital to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Hasty judgments, even with good intentions, can lead to unforeseen complications.
  2. Integrity of Our Word: Our promises and commitments, particularly those made in God's name or with a sense of divine accountability, are serious. This verse reminds us that God honors oaths, and so should we, even when circumstances become inconvenient or challenging.
  3. Dealing with Consequences: Sometimes we face the repercussions of past mistakes or poor judgments. This account shows that even when a covenant is made deceptively, God's people are called to uphold their word, finding alternative ways to navigate the situation (as Israel did by making the Gibeonites servants, Joshua 9:21).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 15:4

    In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:2

    Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:2

    All [things come] alike to all: [there is] one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as [is] the good, so [is] the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as [he] that feareth an oath.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:6

    Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

  • 2 Samuel 21:7

    But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that [was] between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
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