Joshua 9:19

19 but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.

Joshua 9:19 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 9:19

But all the princes said to all the congregation
That is, all the princes that went to Gibeon addressed all the Israelites that were there:

we have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel;
by the Word of the Lord God, as the Targum; an oath is a solemn sacred thing, and not to be broken, and a good man will make conscience of it, and keep it, though he has sworn to his own hurt: and

now therefore we may not touch them;
neither take away their lives nor their substance.

Joshua 9:19 In-Context

17 So the people of Israel started out and three days later arrived at the cities where these people lived: Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

18 But the Israelites could not kill them, because their leaders had made a solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord, Israel's God. All the people complained to the leaders about this,

19 but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.

20 We must let them live because of our promise; if we don't, God will punish us.

21 Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us." This was what the leaders suggested.