Joshua 9:12-22

12 These the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become mouldy.

13 And these the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are rent; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

14 And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not the Lord.

15 And Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation sware to them.

16 And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

17 And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.

18 Land the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

19 And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

20 This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

21 They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

22 And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have ye deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas ye are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell among us?

Joshua 9:12-22 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. after three days after, etc.
• [b]. dwell.