Joshua 9:11

11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, `Take provisions 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."'

Joshua 9:11 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 9:11

Wherefore our elders, and all the inhabitants of our country,
spake unto us
They suggest, that their senate, or the states of their country, their principal men were convened, and that it was the unanimous voice of them, and of the people, that they should go on this embassy:

saying, take victuals with you for the journey;
sufficient for so long a journey; for, in those times and countries, inns on the road were not frequent as now:

and go to meet them;
to prevent their coming in an hostile manner unto them, and make peace, and enter into an alliance with them:

and say unto them, we [are] your servants;
ready to come into any terms with them, just and reasonable:

therefore now make ye a league with us;
that we may live in friendship, and mutually assist each other, as occasion should require.

Joshua 9:11 In-Context

9 And they said unto him, "From a very far country thy servants have come because of the name of the LORD thy God; for we have heard the fame of him and all that he did in Egypt,

10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan -- to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, `Take provisions 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."'

12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry and it is moldy.

13 And these skins of wine which we filled were new, and behold, they are rent; and these our garments and our shoes have become old by reason of the very long journey."