Keraia
Joshua 9

Joshua 9:13

The Deceit of the Gibeonites · Joshua 9:1–27
Read Joshua 9

Translations

Modern
These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
Traditional
And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
Literal
And these skins of wine, which we filled new, behold, they are torn. And these our garments and our sandals have become old from the exceeding greatness of the way.”
Latin
Utres vini novos implevimus; nunc rupti sunt et soluti. Vestes et calceamenta quibus induimur, et quæ habemus in pedibus, ob longitudinem longioris viæ trita sunt, et pene consumpta.

Original

Hebrew
English
These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”

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

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

Bottle: Made of Animal Skins Bottles: Made of Skins: Marred by Age and Use 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 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 Shoes: Worn out by a Long Journey The Amorites: The Gibeonites a Tribe of, Deceived Israel Into a League Travellers: After a Long Journey, Described Travellers: Carried with Them: Skins Filled with Water, Wine Treaty: Between Nations: Israelites and Gibeonites Wine in Bottles Wine in Skins (Rv)