Joshua 9:5

And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry [and] mouldy.

And old {H1087} shoes {H5275} and clouted {H2921} upon their feet {H7272}, and old {H1087} garments {H8008} upon them; and all the bread {H3899} of their provision {H6718} was dry {H3001} and mouldy {H5350}.

They put old, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes; and took as provisions nothing but dried-up bread that was crumbling to pieces.

They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.

and old and patched shoes upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become mouldy.

Commentary

Joshua 9:5 (KJV) vividly describes the elaborate deception employed by the Gibeonites to secure a treaty with the Israelites. This verse focuses on the visual evidence of their feigned long journey, presenting a detailed picture of their disguise.

Context

Following the miraculous victories at Jericho and Ai, the fame and fear of the Israelites had spread throughout Canaan. God had explicitly commanded Israel to make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land, but to utterly destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). The Gibeonites, a powerful Hivite city, devised a cunning plan to save themselves from destruction (Joshua 9:3-4). They pretended to be ambassadors from a very distant country, making a long, arduous journey, hoping to trick Joshua and the elders into a peace treaty.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Guile: The verse highlights the meticulous effort the Gibeonites put into their disguise, showing their intent to deceive through appearances rather than truth. Their goal was to secure peace by trickery.
  • Appearance vs. Reality: Joshua 9:5 serves as a powerful reminder that outward appearances can be profoundly misleading. The Gibeonites' "old shoes and clouted," "old garments," and "dry and mouldy bread" were all props designed to convey a false narrative of a long journey, successfully hiding their true identity and proximity.
  • Consequences of Hasty Judgment: This description sets the stage for the Israelites' failure to exercise proper discernment. They would later examine these very provisions but fail to inquire of the Lord, leading to a binding, albeit unintended, covenant (Joshua 9:14-15).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Clouted": This term means patched, mended, or reinforced. It emphasizes that the shoes were not merely old but had been deliberately repaired to look extensively worn from travel, adding to the authenticity of their fabricated story.
  • "Dry and mouldy": The bread's condition was crucial evidence for their claim. Fresh bread would betray their true origin, so the Gibeonites ensured their provisions appeared aged and spoiled, consistent with a very long journey.

Practical Application

Joshua 9:5 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We are cautioned against making judgments based solely on outward appearances or persuasive stories. As believers, we must cultivate spiritual discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood, especially in dealings that have significant implications.
  • Seek God's Guidance: The Israelites' critical error was not seeking God's counsel before making a covenant (Joshua 9:14). This verse underscores the vital importance of prayer and seeking the Lord's will in all significant decisions, even when circumstances seem clear or urgent. We are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
  • Beware of Deception: The world is full of various forms of deception. This narrative reminds us to be vigilant and wise, recognizing that not everyone or everything is what it seems.
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

  • Luke 15:22

    But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet:

  • Deuteronomy 29:5

    And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 33:25

    Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].
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