Joshua 9:26

KJV

And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And so did {H6213} he unto them, and delivered {H5337} them out of the hand {H3027} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that they slew {H2026} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Y'hoshua did exactly that: he saved them from the power of the people of Isra'el, so that they didn't kill them.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.

American Standard Version

And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 9:26 marks the pivotal moment where Joshua, acting on behalf of Israel, honored the solemn covenant made with the Gibeonites, despite their cunning deception. This verse confirms that the Gibeonites were indeed spared from death, establishing their new status as perpetual servants within the Israelite community, thereby upholding the sanctity of an oath sworn before the Lord and demonstrating Joshua's unwavering commitment to his word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 9:26 serves as the climactic resolution to the narrative of the Gibeonite deception, which begins earlier in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Deception"). The preceding verses detail how the Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites' destructive advance, employed an elaborate ruse, presenting themselves as weary travelers from a distant land to secure a peace treaty ([Joshua 9:3-6](/joshua/9-3 "Joshua 9:3-6 - Gibeonites' Deception")). The Israelite leaders, failing to consult the Lord, entered into a covenant with them, promising to let them live ([Joshua 9:14-15](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14-15 - Israel's Oath to Gibeon")). The discovery of the deception three days later ([Joshua 9:16-17](/joshua/9-16 "Joshua 9:16-17 - Discovery of the Deception")) enraged the people, who wished to destroy the Gibeonites. However, the leaders, recognizing the gravity of an oath sworn before Yahweh, insisted on honoring it, albeit with a curse of perpetual servitude as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation and the altar ([Joshua 9:18-21](/joshua/9-18 "Joshua 9:18-21 - The Oath Upheld and Consequence")). Joshua 9:26 confirms Joshua's direct action in implementing this judgment, ensuring the Gibeonites' survival in accordance with the oath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command given to Israel in [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy Canaanites") was to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, a directive known as *herem* or "devotion to destruction." This context makes the Gibeonite episode particularly significant, as it represents a deviation from this command, driven by Israel's own error. In the ancient Near East, oaths and covenants were profoundly binding, often invoked in the presence of deities. To break such an oath, even one secured by deception, was considered a grave offense against the divine witness. The Gibeonites, as a powerful city-state, understood this cultural norm and exploited Israel's adherence to it. Their status as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" was a common ancient Near Eastern form of servitude, often imposed on conquered peoples, signifying a low, laborious status but importantly, sparing their lives.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores the **sanctity of oaths and covenants** in ancient Israel. Even when made under false pretenses, a commitment sworn before God was considered inviolable, demonstrating God's own faithfulness to His word and the seriousness with which He expects His people to keep theirs ([Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping Vows")). It also highlights the **consequences of deception and the critical importance of seeking divine counsel**. The Gibeonites' deception led to their perpetual servitude, while Israel's failure to "ask counsel of the Lord" ([Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Seek Counsel")) resulted in a binding covenant with a people they were commanded to dispossess. Furthermore, the narrative showcases a profound display of **mercy within judgment**. While the Gibeonites faced a curse of servitude, they were spared the death that was the common fate of other Canaanite nations, an act driven by Israel's integrity and God's overarching sovereign plan, which can bring about His purposes even through imperfect human actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This verb, often translated as "gave" or "placed," carries a nuanced meaning here. It implies Joshua's active role in placing the Gibeonites into a new, protected status. It's not merely a passive allowance but an intentional act of handing them over to their designated servitude, thereby safeguarding their lives from the wrath of the Israelite assembly. The action of "delivering" them *out of the hand* of the Israelites signifies a protective intervention.
* **slew them not (Hebrew, _lo' hakam'_):** This negative construction emphasizes the crucial outcome of the entire Gibeonite encounter. The primary fear of the Gibeonites was death, and the primary command to Israel was destruction. This phrase explicitly states that the ultimate consequence of the oath and Joshua's action was the preservation of their lives, highlighting the triumph of the covenant's sanctity over the initial command for *herem* in this specific instance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And so did he unto them":** This clause directly refers to Joshua's implementation of the decision reached by the Israelite leaders. It signifies that Joshua acted in accordance with the oath sworn and the subsequent judgment pronounced upon the Gibeonites, which was to spare their lives but bind them to servitude. It underscores his leadership and adherence to the covenant.
* **"and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel":** This phrase highlights Joshua's active intervention to protect the Gibeonites from the general Israelite populace. The people were enraged by the deception and likely desired to execute the Gibeonites in accordance with the *herem* command. Joshua, by "delivering" them into their new role as servants, effectively removed them from the immediate threat of vengeful destruction by the common soldiers.
* **"that they slew them not":** This final clause articulates the direct and intended consequence of Joshua's action and the leaders' decision to uphold the oath. The primary objective of the Gibeonites' deception was to preserve their lives, and this clause confirms that their lives were indeed spared, fulfilling the terms of the covenant made with them, despite its deceptive origins.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Account") culminating in [Joshua 9:26](/joshua/9-26 "Joshua 9:26 - Gibeonites Spared") employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Israel, divinely commanded to utterly destroy the Canaanites, ends up making a binding covenant with one of them due to their own lack of discernment and the Gibeonites' trickery. The very people who should have been annihilated are spared because of Israel's commitment to an oath, showcasing a paradoxical outcome. There is also an element of **narrative closure** in this verse, as it definitively resolves the immediate fate of the Gibeonites, confirming the execution of the leaders' decision. Furthermore, the Gibeonites' role as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" can be seen as **symbolism** for a life of perpetual servitude and humility, a stark contrast to their initial status as a powerful city.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 9:26 stands as a powerful testament to the inviolable nature of oaths sworn before God, even when obtained through deceit. It underscores that God's character of faithfulness demands a corresponding integrity from His people. While Israel made a significant error in not consulting the Lord, their subsequent decision to honor the oath, rather than breaking it, demonstrated a profound respect for the divine name by which the oath was sworn. This act of integrity, though costly, averted a greater sin of covenant-breaking and showcased a remarkable instance of mercy within the context of divine judgment against the Canaanites. It highlights that God's sovereign plan can incorporate human error and still bring about His purposes, often revealing His grace in unexpected ways.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "The Importance of Keeping Vows")
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalm/15-4 "The Righteous Who Keeps His Oath")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Fulfilling Vows to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in Joshua 9:26, and the broader narrative of the Gibeonites, offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges us to consider the weight of our words and the sanctity of our commitments, both to God and to others. In a world where promises are often lightly made and easily broken, this passage calls us to a higher standard of integrity, reflecting the unwavering faithfulness of God Himself. It also serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of seeking God's counsel in all significant decisions. The Israelites' failure to inquire of the Lord led them into a difficult, binding situation. For us, this translates to diligent prayer, careful study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance before making life-altering choices. Finally, it reminds us that even when we or others make mistakes, God's sovereignty can still work through those circumstances, bringing about His purposes and demonstrating His mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unwavering commitment to an oath in Joshua 9:26 challenge my own commitment to keeping my word, even when it is difficult or inconvenient?**
* **In what areas of my life am I prone to making decisions without first seeking God's counsel, and what steps can I take to cultivate a habit of seeking His wisdom more diligently?**
* **How can I, like Joshua, demonstrate integrity and mercy in situations where I feel wronged or deceived, rather than reacting solely with anger or a desire for retribution?**

### FAQ
**Why did Israel keep the oath even though they were deceived?**

Answer: Israel kept the oath primarily because it had been sworn "before the Lord" ([Joshua 9:18](/joshua/9-18 "The Princes' Commitment")). In the ancient Near East, and especially within Israelite theology, an oath invoked in the name of God was considered a sacred and binding covenant. To break such an oath would be to dishonor God Himself, which was a far graver sin than having been deceived. The leaders understood that their integrity and the reputation of Yahweh were at stake, choosing to uphold their word despite the negative consequences of the Gibeonites' trickery.

**What was the consequence for the Gibeonites for their deception?**

Answer: Although their lives were spared, the Gibeonites were cursed by Joshua to become perpetual servants to the congregation of Israel, specifically "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the house of God ([Joshua 9:21](/joshua/9-21 "Gibeonites Become Bondmen") and [Joshua 9:23](/joshua/9-23 "Gibeonites Cursed to Servitude")). This meant a life of arduous labor and a diminished social status, serving the needs of the Israelite community and the sanctuary. This consequence demonstrated that while the oath was honored, deception did not go unpunished.

**Does this story justify deception or suggest that God condones it?**

Answer: No, this story does not justify deception. The Gibeonites faced a severe and lasting consequence for their cunning. The narrative highlights Israel's integrity in upholding an oath, even when made under false pretenses, rather than condoning the Gibeonites' method. God's character is truth, and His Word consistently condemns deceit ([Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying Lips are Abomination")). The story serves as a complex illustration of human error, divine sovereignty, and the inviolability of sacred vows.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 9:26, while rooted in an ancient covenant, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The narrative of an oath kept despite deception foreshadows God's own unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, supremely demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Where Israel faltered in discernment but upheld their word, God, in Christ, perfectly fulfills every promise and oath, even those made to a rebellious humanity. The Gibeonites, though Gentiles and deceivers, were brought into a relationship with Israel, albeit one of servitude, and were spared from destruction. This serves as a powerful type of Gentile inclusion into God's people, not through deception, but through the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is broken down ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")), and those who were once "strangers to the covenants of promise" ([Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Gentiles Without Christ")) are brought near by the blood of Christ. The "hewers of wood and drawers of water" find their ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the New Covenant, where all believers, regardless of background, are called to serve God in freedom and love, not out of curse, but out of grace and gratitude, becoming priests and kings unto God ([Revelation 1:6](/revelation/1-6 "Revelation 1:6 - Priests and Kings to God")). Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice are the ultimate fulfillment of God's righteous demands, securing a covenant of grace that transcends human error and deception, offering life where judgment was due ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")).

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.