Joshua 9:19

KJV

But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

KJV (with Strong's)

But all the princes {H5387} said {H559} unto all the congregation {H5712}, We have sworn {H7650} unto them by the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}: now therefore we may {H3201} not touch {H5060} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, the leaders replied to the whole community, "We have sworn to them by ADONAI, the God of Isra'el; so we can't touch them.

Berean Standard Bible

All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.

American Standard Version

But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 9:19 records the Israelite princes' resolute declaration to the murmuring congregation, affirming the inviolable nature of the covenant they had unwittingly made with the Gibeonites. Despite the Gibeonites' deception and the clear divine command to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, the leaders felt bound by their oath, sworn in the name of the LORD God of Israel, recognizing that to violate it would be a grave affront to God's own integrity and the sanctity of His name. This verse underscores the profound weight of an oath made before God and the far-reaching consequences of hasty, unconsulted decisions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the revelation of the Gibeonite deception and the congregation's angry reaction. The preceding verses detail how the Gibeonites, through cunning and misrepresentation, convinced the Israelite leaders that they were from a far-off land, thereby securing a peace treaty. Crucially, [Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Consult God") explicitly states that the Israelites "asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." Three days after the covenant was made, the truth of the Gibeonites' proximity and Canaanite identity became known, leading to widespread discontent among the people, who felt betrayed and believed the covenant should be broken. Joshua 9:19 serves as the princes' definitive response to this popular outcry, asserting the binding nature of the oath despite the circumstances of its formation. The immediate aftermath, described in [Joshua 9:20-27](/joshua/9-20 "Joshua 9:20-27 - The Gibeonites Become Servants"), details the compromise reached: the Gibeonites would be spared but reduced to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and the altar of the LORD.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, oaths and covenants were profoundly serious matters, often sealed by invoking the names of deities. Such agreements were considered binding, not merely between the human parties but also before the gods who were called upon as witnesses and enforcers. For Israel, an oath sworn "by the LORD God of Israel" (Yahweh Elohei Yisrael) carried supreme weight, placing the covenant directly under the divine authority and judgment of the one true God. Breaking such an oath was not merely a breach of human trust but an act of sacrilege, an insult to God's name, and an invitation for divine retribution. This cultural understanding is vital to grasping why the princes, despite the deception and the Mosaic command to utterly destroy the Canaanites (as found in [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Command to Destroy Canaanites")), felt compelled to uphold the covenant. Their concern was not merely human reputation but the integrity of God's name, which had been invoked.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 9:19 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Sanctity of an Oath**, particularly one made in the name of the LORD. Even when made under duress or deception, an oath invoking God's name was considered inviolable, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants (see [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")). Secondly, the passage underscores the **Consequences of Hasty Decisions** and the critical importance of seeking divine counsel. The leaders' failure to "ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD" ([Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Consult God")) led directly to this moral dilemma, demonstrating that even good intentions cannot override the necessity of divine guidance. This serves as a potent reminder of the wisdom found in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")). Finally, the episode subtly reveals aspects of **God's Sovereignty and Integrity**. While Israel erred, God's character as a covenant-keeping God remained steadfast. His name, once invoked, demanded respect, even if it meant working through human error to uphold a principle of divine integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sworn (שָׁבַע, _shava'_):** This Hebrew verb means "to swear," "to take an oath," or "to bind oneself by an oath." It often implies invoking a divine witness to the truth of one's statement or the binding nature of one's promise. In the context of ancient Near Eastern treaties, swearing by a deity placed the covenant under that deity's jurisdiction and judgment. For Israel, swearing by Yahweh meant that God Himself was the guarantor and potential enforcer of the oath, making its violation an act of sacrilege against Him.
* **LORD God of Israel (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _Yahweh Elohei Yisrael_):** This specific divine title emphasizes God's covenant relationship with Israel. "Yahweh" (LORD, in all caps in KJV) is God's personal, covenantal name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness. "Elohei Yisrael" (God of Israel) highlights His particular relationship as the God who chose and redeemed Israel. Invoking this full title in an oath underscored the absolute gravity and divine backing of the covenant, implying that breaking it would be a direct affront to the very God who had led Israel and given them the land.
* **Touch (נָגַע, _naga'_):** While literally meaning "to touch," in this context, it carries the broader sense of "to harm," "to strike," or "to attack." It implies a hostile action. The princes' declaration, "we may not touch them," signifies their inability to wage war against the Gibeonites or inflict any harm upon them, because to do so would be to violate the oath made in the LORD's name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But all the princes said unto all the congregation,"**: This clause establishes the authority and collective voice of the Israelite leadership. The "princes" (נְשִׂיאִים, _nesi'im_) were the tribal heads and leaders, including Joshua himself, who had been party to the covenant with the Gibeonites. Their address to "all the congregation" indicates a public declaration, aimed at quelling the popular discontent and explaining their decision. It highlights the tension between the leaders' understanding of divine law and the people's immediate desire for retribution.
* **"We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel:"**: This is the core justification for the princes' stance. It explicitly states that the oath was not merely a human agreement but one made with God as witness and guarantor. The invocation of "the LORD God of Israel" elevated the covenant to a sacred status, making its violation a breach of divine trust. This phrase underscores the profound theological weight attached to oaths in Israelite faith, where God's name was not to be taken lightly or used in vain. The leaders recognized that even though they were deceived, the oath's sanctity derived from the divine name invoked.
* **"now therefore we may not touch them."**: This clause presents the unavoidable consequence of the sworn oath. Because the oath was made by the LORD, the princes concluded that any hostile action ("touch them") against the Gibeonites was forbidden. This demonstrates their commitment to upholding the integrity of God's name, even if it meant a deviation from the initial command to utterly destroy the Canaanites. It was a difficult moral decision, prioritizing the sanctity of an oath made in God's name over a command that, in this specific instance, seemed to be complicated by their own failure to inquire of the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative surrounding Joshua 9:19 is rich with literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Israel, commanded to utterly destroy the Canaanites, finds itself bound by an oath to spare a Canaanite city due to their own failure to consult God. This creates a profound **Moral Dilemma** for the leaders, caught between a divine command and a divinely-witnessed oath. The princes' declaration also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the long-term consequences of this covenant. Indeed, centuries later, the violation of this very covenant by King Saul led to a famine in Israel, requiring atonement to the Gibeonites (as recorded in [2 Samuel 21:1-6](/2_samuel/21-1 "2 Samuel 21:1-6 - Saul's Violation of the Gibeonite Covenant")). This illustrates the enduring power of oaths made in God's name and the severe repercussions of their breach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 9:19 is a powerful testament to the absolute sanctity of an oath made in the name of the LORD. It underscores that God's integrity is bound up with the truthfulness and inviolability of promises made in His name, even when those promises are the result of human error or deception. The princes' decision, though born out of a difficult situation, reflects a profound theological understanding that God is faithful to His word and expects His people to be faithful to theirs, especially when His name has been invoked. This principle transcends the immediate context, speaking to the enduring nature of divine covenants and the seriousness with which God regards human integrity. It reminds us that our words, especially those spoken before God, carry eternal weight.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalms/15-4 "Psalm 15:4 - The Righteous Person Keeps Oaths")
* [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus on Oaths and Truthfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dilemma faced by the Israelite princes in Joshua 9:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It compels us to consider the profound weight of our words and commitments, particularly those made before God or in His name. In a world where promises are often lightly made and easily broken, this passage challenges us to cultivate a deep sense of integrity, upholding our word even when it proves inconvenient, costly, or when it results from a misjudgment. It highlights that our faithfulness in keeping promises reflects the faithfulness of God Himself. Furthermore, this narrative serves as a powerful warning against making significant decisions without diligently seeking God's counsel through prayer, His Word, and wise spiritual guidance. Hasty judgments, reliance on superficial appearances, and a failure to consult the Lord can lead to complex moral entanglements and unintended, far-reaching consequences that impact not only ourselves but also those around us and, ultimately, the honor of God's name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises have I made, either explicitly or implicitly, before God or to others, that I need to re-evaluate for faithfulness?**
* **In what areas of my life am I prone to making hasty decisions without seeking God's counsel? What steps can I take to cultivate a habit of prayerful discernment?**
* **How does my commitment to truthfulness and integrity in my daily interactions reflect my understanding of God's character and the sanctity of His name?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow the oath to stand, even though it contradicted His command to destroy the Canaanites?**

Answer: God, in His sovereignty, allowed the oath to stand primarily because His name, "the LORD God of Israel," had been invoked. While Israel's leaders erred by not consulting Him before making the covenant (as noted in [Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Consult God")), God's own integrity and the sanctity of His name were paramount. To allow the oath to be broken would have dishonored His name and undermined the very concept of divine covenant faithfulness, which is foundational to His relationship with Israel. This situation demonstrates that God honors the principle of oaths made in His name, even when human error leads to complex moral dilemmas. Instead of directly nullifying the oath, God worked within the consequences of human action, allowing the Gibeonites to be spared but subjugated, thus still fulfilling a form of judgment on the Canaanites while upholding the sanctity of the oath. This also served as a powerful lesson to Israel about the gravity of their words and the necessity of seeking divine wisdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joshua 9:19, with its emphasis on the sanctity of an oath and the consequences of human error, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The princes' commitment to an oath, even one made under deception, foreshadows God's unwavering faithfulness to His own covenants. While Israel struggled to maintain integrity amidst their failures, God's perfect faithfulness is revealed in Christ. Every promise of God finds its "Yes" and "Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). The dilemma of the Gibeonite covenant, where a people under a curse (Canaanites) were brought into a form of relationship with Israel through an oath, points to the greater work of Christ. Humanity, alienated from God and under the curse of sin ([Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - Under the Curse of the Law")), is not destroyed but reconciled through Christ's perfect sacrifice. He became a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), fulfilling the demands of God's justice and upholding His holy character, while simultaneously making a way for those who were once enemies to be brought near through the blood of His covenant ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). Thus, Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's integrity and the perfect keeper of all divine promises, transforming the consequences of human failure into a display of divine grace and redemptive power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 8:2

I [counsel thee] to keep the king's commandment, and [that] in regard of the oath of God.

Jeremiah 4:2

And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

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.

Joshua 9:20

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.