Joshua 9:7

7 But the men of Israel said to ¹the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then ²how can we make a covenant with you?"

Joshua 9:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 9:7

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites
Though they did not know them to be such, but as they afterwards appeared to be the Hivites, as the Gibeonites were, they are here so called, see ( Joshua 11:19 ) . The name signifies "serpents"; according to a Derash, or mystical exposition, mentioned by Kimchi, the Gibeonites are so called, because they did the work of the serpent; that is to say, they deceived the Israelites, as the serpent deceived Eve:

peradventure ye dwell among us;
of which they had some suspicion;

and how shall we make a league with you?
which they were forbid to do with any of the seven nations, ( Deuteronomy 7:2 ) .

Joshua 9:7 In-Context

5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly.

6 And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us."

7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?"

8 They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." And Joshua said to them, "Who are you? And where do you come from?"

9 They said to him, "From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 11:19
• 2. Exodus 23:32; Deuteronomy 7:2; Judges 2:2