Joshua 9:7

7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye 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 patched shoes upon their feet, and old garments upon them, and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

6 Thus they came unto Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said unto him and to the men of Israel, We are come from a far country; now, therefore, make ye a covenant with us.

7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us, and how shall we make a covenant with you?

8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy slaves. And Joshua said unto them, Who are you and where do you come from?

9 And they said unto him, From very far lands thy slaves are 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