Joshua 9:1-11

1 quibus auditis cuncti reges trans Iordanem qui versabantur in montanis et in campestribus in maritimis ac litore maris Magni hii quoque qui habitabant iuxta Libanum Hettheus et Amorreus et Chananeus Ferezeus et Eveus et Iebuseus

2 congregati sunt pariter ut pugnarent contra Iosue et Israhel uno animo eademque sententia

3 at hii qui habitabant in Gabaon audientes cuncta quae fecerat Iosue Hiericho et Ahi

4 et callide cogitantes tulerunt sibi cibaria saccos veteres asinis inponentes et utres vinarios scissos atque consutos

5 calciamentaque perantiqua quae ad indicium vetustatis pittaciis consuta erant induti veteribus vestimentis panes quoque quos portabant ob viaticum duri erant et in frusta comminuti

6 perrexeruntque ad Iosue qui tunc morabatur in castris Galgalae et dixerunt ei atque omni simul Israheli de terra longinqua venimus pacem vobiscum facere cupientes responderuntque viri Israhel ad eos atque dixerunt

7 ne forsitan in terra quae nobis sorte debetur habitetis et non possimus foedus inire vobiscum

8 at illi ad Iosue servi inquiunt tui sumus quibus Iosue quinam ait estis et unde venistis

9 responderunt de terra longinqua valde venerunt servi tui in nomine Domini Dei tui audivimus enim famam potentiae eius cuncta quae fecit in Aegypto

10 et duobus Amorreorum regibus trans Iordanem Seon regi Esebon et Og regi Basan qui erat in Astharoth

11 dixeruntque nobis seniores et omnes habitatores terrae nostrae tollite in manibus cibaria ob longissimam viam et occurrite eis ac dicite servi vestri sumus foedus inite nobiscum

Joshua 9:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 9

This chapter gives an account of the combination of the several kings of Canaan against Israel, Jos 9:1,2; and of the craftiness of the Gibeonites, pretending they were ambassadors from a far country, and desired to enter into a league with Israel, which they obtained, Jos 9:3-15; but when it was discovered who they were, it occasioned a murmuring among the people, Jos 9:16-18; which the princes quelled by proposing to make them hewers of wood, and drawers of water, Jos 9:19-21; in order to which Joshua summoned them before him, and chided them for beguiling them; and after they had made their excuse, he ordered them to the service the princes proposed, and so peace in the congregation of Israel was preserved, Jos 9:21-27.