Joshua 9:7

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?

And the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto the Hivites {H2340}, Peradventure {H194} ye dwell {H3427} among {H7130} us; and how shall we make {H3772} a league {H1285} with you?

The men of Isra'el said to the Hivi, "How do we know that you don't live here among us? If you do, we don't want to make a covenant with you."

But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?

Commentary

Context of Joshua 9:7

Joshua 9:7 is situated in a pivotal moment in the book of Joshua, following Israel's decisive victories at Jericho and Ai. God had commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan and make no covenants or treaties with them (see Deuteronomy 7:2 and Exodus 23:32). At this point, a group of people, identified as Gibeonites (who were Hivites, as confirmed later in Joshua 9:17), approached the Israelite camp with a clever deception. They pretended to be emissaries from a very distant land, wearing worn-out clothes and carrying stale provisions to convince Joshua and the leaders of Israel that they were not from Canaan. In this verse, the men of Israel express their initial suspicion and concern regarding the Gibeonites' claims, knowing the divine prohibition against making a 'league' or covenant with local peoples.

Understanding the Verse

The verse highlights the Israelites' immediate reaction to the Gibeonites' elaborate charade. The phrase "Peradventure ye dwell among us" reveals their underlying suspicion. They were aware of God's command to not form alliances with the Canaanite nations. The question, "and how shall we make a league with you?" directly addresses the legal and spiritual dilemma. A "league" (Hebrew: berit) signifies a solemn covenant or treaty, often with religious implications, which would bind both parties. The Israelites understood that if these visitors were indeed local Hivites, such a covenant would be a direct violation of God's instructions for the conquest of the Promised Land.

  • Initial Suspicion: The Israelites' question demonstrates a degree of discernment. They didn't immediately accept the Gibeonites' story, sensing a potential deception that would violate their divine mandate.
  • Awareness of God's Law: Their concern about making a "league" underscores their knowledge of God's strict command against forming alliances with the inhabitants of Canaan. This command was designed to prevent Israel from being corrupted by pagan practices and idolatry.
  • Foreshadowing of Error: While they show initial caution here, the subsequent narrative reveals that the Israelites failed to fully investigate the Gibeonites' claims and, critically, did not inquire of the Lord before making a treaty with them. This oversight led to significant long-term consequences for Israel.

Spiritual and Practical Application

Joshua 9:7 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • The Need for Discernment: Just as the Israelites were suspicious of the Gibeonites' claims, believers must exercise spiritual discernment in their interactions, especially when faced with proposals or relationships that seem too good to be true, or that might compromise their faith. Not everything that appears harmless truly is.
  • Adherence to God's Word: The Israelites' concern about making a "league" reminds us of the importance of knowing and obeying God's commands. Our decisions should always be measured against the clear teachings of Scripture, particularly when considering commitments or alliances.
  • Seeking Divine Counsel: The ultimate failure of the Israelites was not their initial suspicion, but their subsequent failure to trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding. This verse serves as a subtle reminder that even when we have doubts or concerns, the most crucial step is to seek God's wisdom and guidance through prayer and His Word before making critical decisions.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 11:19 (5 votes)

    There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took in battle.

  • Judges 2:2 (3 votes)

    And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

  • Deuteronomy 7:2 (2 votes)

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Deuteronomy 7:3 (2 votes)

    Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

  • Exodus 23:31 (2 votes)

    And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

  • Exodus 23:33 (2 votes)

    They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

  • Joshua 9:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings which [were] on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard [thereof];