Translations
Original
Notes
Israel made a treaty of peace with the Gibeonites. The Israelites were God's subjects, having made a treaty with God at Mount Sinai (see study note on Exodus 20:1–23:33). Israel could not make treaties without God's approval.
made a treaty of peace with them to let them live (literally made a covenant for their lives): Nations confirmed covenants through a ceremony involving cutting animals in half as sacrifices. The parties of the covenant walked between two halves of animals to show their commitment (compare Genesis 15:9–18). If one party violated the covenant, they risked being cut in half like the sacrifice. Covenants were also written documents, sometimes carved in stone and displayed publicly for everyone to see and remember (see study note on Joshua 8:32).
In Israel, people swore oaths in the name of the Lord that bound them. violating the oath brought the Lord's judgment for false swearing (Exodus 20:7).
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.
Events
People
Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan
Glossary
Alliance Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Gilgal Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Peace Samuel, Books of First and Second Tribe of Dan
Topics
Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Confidence: Betrayed: Joshua, by the Gibeonites Contracts by Oaths Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of Covenants: Designed For: Establishing Peace 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: Made a League With Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Treaty with the Gibeonites Kirjath-Jearim: Inhabitants of Magnanimity: Joshua and the Elders of Israel to the Gibeonites Who had Deceived the Israelites Oath: The Israelites Confirm the Covenant with the Hivites Oaths: Rash: Joshua Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of The Amorites: The Gibeonites a Tribe of, Deceived Israel Into a League Treaty: Between Nations: Israelites and Gibeonites