Joshua 9:11

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We [are] your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.

Wherefore our elders {H2205} and all the inhabitants {H3427} of our country {H776} spake {H559} to us, saying {H559}, Take {H3947} victuals {H6720} with you {H3027} for the journey {H1870}, and go {H3212} to meet {H7125} them, and say {H559} unto them, We are your servants {H5650}: therefore now make {H3772} ye a league {H1285} with us.

So our leaders and all the people living in our country said to us, "Take provisions with you for the journey, go to meet them, and say to them, 'We are your servants, and now make a covenant with us.'

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, โ€˜Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.โ€™

And our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take provision in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: and now make ye a covenant with us.

Commentary

Context of Joshua 9:11

Joshua 9:11 is a pivotal verse within the account of the Gibeonites' deception of the Israelites. Following Israel's decisive victories over Jericho and Ai, the various Canaanite kingdoms were in a state of fear and apprehension. God had commanded Israel not to make treaties with the inhabitants of the land, but rather to utterly destroy them to prevent the spread of idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:2). Aware of Israel's power and the divine mandate, the Gibeonites, a Hivite people, devised a cunning plan to save themselves.

This verse presents the fabricated story the Gibeonites told the Israelite leaders. They pretended to be emissaries from a very distant land, recounting how their "elders and all the inhabitants of our country" instructed them to travel to meet Israel and seek a peaceful alliance. Their elaborate ruse included wearing worn-out clothes and carrying old, moldy provisions to support their false claim of a long journey.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deception and Cunning: The verse highlights the Gibeonites' strategic use of lies and elaborate staging to manipulate the Israelites. Their detailed story was designed to evoke sympathy and bypass Israel's direct command from God.
  • Fear and Self-Preservation: The underlying motivation for the Gibeonites' actions was intense fear for their lives, knowing the fate of other cities that had resisted Israel's conquest (Jericho and Ai).
  • The Importance of Discernment: This passage sets the stage for Israel's failure to seek God's counsel before making a significant decision. The Gibeonites' plea to "make ye a league with us" was a direct challenge to Israel's obedience to God's law.

Linguistic Insights

The word "league" in this verse translates the Hebrew term berith (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช), which signifies a formal, binding agreement or "covenant." In the Old Testament, covenants often carried significant legal and religious weight, implying a sacred obligation. By requesting a berith, the Gibeonites were asking for a solemn, unbreakable pact of peace and mutual non-aggression, which the Israelites would feel bound to uphold, even after discovering the deceit.

Practical Application

Joshua 9:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Seek God's Counsel: The primary takeaway from the broader narrative is the critical importance of consulting God in all significant decisions, especially when facing new or unexpected situations. The Israelites' failure to inquire of the Lord led them into a binding agreement they later regretted (Joshua 9:14).
  • Discernment in Relationships: We are reminded to exercise caution and discernment when interacting with others, recognizing that appearances can be deceiving. Not every plea or offer is what it seems.
  • Consequences of Hasty Decisions: The story of the Gibeonites illustrates how quick, unexamined decisions can lead to long-term complications and compromise, even if initially driven by good intentions or a desire for peace. Ultimately, the Gibeonites were spared but became perpetual servants to Israel (Joshua 9:27).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 9:8 (4 votes)

    And they said unto Joshua, We [are] thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who [are] ye? and from whence come ye?

  • Esther 8:17 (4 votes)

    And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

  • Luke 9:3 (2 votes)

    And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

  • Genesis 43:12 (2 votes)

    And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight:

  • Matthew 10:9 (2 votes)

    Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

  • Matthew 10:10 (2 votes)

    Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

  • Joshua 1:11 (2 votes)

    Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.