Joshua 9:11

Translations

Modern

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’

Traditional

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals 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.

Literal

And our elders and all those dwelling in our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take with you provisions for the journey, and go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants, and now make with us a covenant.’

Latin

…dixeruntque nobis seniores, et omnes habitatores terræ nostræ: Tollite in manibus cibaria ob longissimam viam, et occurrite eis, et dicite: Servi vestri sumus: fœdus inite nobiscum.

Original

Hebrew

English

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’

Notes

Joshua 9:11–13

None of Israel’s leaders noticed that the Gibeonites did not answer Joshua’s questions. This was because they had become distracted by the false words of praise about God and the idea that a foreign people wanted a treaty.
If the Israelites spared their lives, the Gibeonites were willing to become Israel’s servants and swear to a treaty. This request should have raised suspicions among Israel’s leaders. Why would people from a distant land want a treaty of protection?

Joshua 9:1–27

Joshua failed to consult God again (9:14; compare 7:2–4). This time it was about an unexpected request. Other ancient Near Eastern stories only describe a leader’s successes. However, this author also noted the mistakes of Joshua and Israel’s elders. God is the true hero of the story, and the author wanted to emphasize God's achievements.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Events

War with Canaanites

Related verses

Esther 8:17
In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.
Joshua 9:8
“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”
Genesis 43:12
Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.
Joshua 1:11
“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
Matthew 10:9–10
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts.
Luke 9:3
“Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.

Glossary

Alliance Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Gilgal Inn Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Tribe of Dan

Topics

Confidence: Betrayed: Joshua, by the Gibeonites Craftiness: Gibeonites, in Deceiving Joshua and the Israelites Into a Treaty Deception: The Gibeonites, in Misrepresenting Their Habitat Diplomacy: The Gibeonites, in Securing a Treaty with the Israelites Through Deception Gibeonites: Israel: Deceived By Government: Mosaic: Among the Gibeonites Government: Representative Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Treaty with the Gibeonites Kirjath-Jearim: Inhabitants of Lying: Gibeonites Magnanimity: Joshua and the Elders of Israel to the Gibeonites Who had Deceived the Israelites Oath: The Israelites Confirm the Covenant with the Hivites Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of The Amorites: The Gibeonites a Tribe of, Deceived Israel Into a League Travellers: Carried with Them: Provisions for the Way Treaty: Between Nations: Israelites and Gibeonites

Joshua 9:11

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