Joshua 9:7

7 The men of Yisra'el said to the Hivvi, What if you dwell among us; and how shall 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 and old and patched shoes on their feet, and old garments on them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become moldy.

6 They went to Yehoshua to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him, and to the men of Yisra'el, We are come from a far country: now therefore make you a covenant with us.

7 The men of Yisra'el said to the Hivvi, What if you dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?

8 They said to Yehoshua, We are your servants. Yehoshua said to them, Who are you? and from whence come you?

9 They said to him, From a very far country your servants are come because of the name of the LORD your God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Mitzrayim,