Joshua 9:4

They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;

They did work {H6213} wilily {H6195}, and went {H3212} and made as if they had been ambassadors {H6737}, and took {H3947} old {H1087} sacks {H8242} upon their asses {H2543}, and wine {H3196} bottles {H4997}, old {H1087}, and rent {H1234}, and bound up {H6887};

they developed a clever deception: they made themselves look as if they had been on a long journey by putting old sacks on their donkeys and taking used wineskins that had burst and been mended back together.

acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.

they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and bound up,

Commentary

Joshua 9:4 introduces a pivotal moment in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, highlighting the cunning strategy employed by the Gibeonites to secure their survival. This verse sets the stage for a significant incident that reveals both human ingenuity and the consequences of failing to seek divine counsel.

Context

Following the miraculous victories at Jericho and Ai, the fame and fear of Israel’s God had spread throughout the land. While other Canaanite kings formed a league to fight against Israel (Joshua 9:1-2), the Hivites of Gibeon, being a powerful city, chose a different approach. They understood the Israelites were under divine command to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:2). Rather than confront Israel in battle, they devised a sophisticated plan of deception, which this verse begins to detail.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Cunning: The primary action described is the Gibeonites' shrewd and deceptive plan. They "did work wilily," meaning they acted with craftiness and guile, presenting themselves as something they were not.
  • Fear and Self-Preservation: Their elaborate disguise, involving old, worn-out provisions, was born out of a desperate desire for self-preservation in the face of Israel's overwhelming power. They sought to avoid the fate of other Canaanite cities.
  • The Power of Appearance: The Gibeonites understood that visual cues could mislead. Their "old sacks upon their asses" and "wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up" were carefully chosen props to convey the impression of a very long journey from a distant land, a land not subject to Israel's conquest.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "did work wilily" translates the Hebrew verb 'āram (עָרַם), which implies being cunning, shrewd, or crafty. While this word can sometimes have a positive connotation (like prudence), here it is clearly used in a negative sense, denoting deceitful cleverness. The "wine bottles" refer to wineskins, typically made from animal hides. Old wineskins would become brittle, crack, and require mending ("bound up"), further supporting their fabricated story of a lengthy, arduous journey.

Related Scriptures

This verse introduces the Gibeonites' ruse. The full extent of their disguise is further elaborated in Joshua 9:5. Their approach to Joshua and the leaders of Israel is described in Joshua 9:6. The critical error made by the Israelites, failing to inquire of the Lord before making a covenant, is highlighted in Joshua 9:14, leading to the consequences of their hasty decision.

Practical Application

Joshua 9:4 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of being misled by appearances. In our own lives, we encounter situations where things are not as they seem. This narrative underscores the importance of discernment and the necessity of seeking divine guidance, especially when making significant commitments or decisions. Just as Israel failed to consult God, we too can make hasty judgments based on superficial evidence or clever presentations, leading to regrettable outcomes. It encourages us to pray for wisdom and to test what we see and hear, rather than relying solely on our initial perceptions.

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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

  • Mark 2:22 (3 votes)

    And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

  • Luke 16:8 (3 votes)

    And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

  • Matthew 10:16 (3 votes)

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Luke 5:37 (3 votes)

    And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

  • Luke 5:38 (3 votes)

    But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

  • Genesis 34:13 (2 votes)

    And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

  • 1 Kings 20:31 (2 votes)

    ¶ And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel [are] merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.