Translations
Original
Notes
Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim were on the high flat place (plateau) northwest of Jerusalem and southwest of Bethel and Ai (see study note on 7:2 for more details).
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
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes
Places
Beeroth: Hivite city, later allotted to Benjamin Chephirah: Gibeonite town; later part of Benjamin and Judah Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty Kiriath-jearim: A city where the ark resided
Glossary
Alliance Beeroth Chephirah Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kephirah Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Samuel, Books of First and Second Tribe of Dan
Topics
Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Beeroth: A City of the Hivites Chephirah: A City of the Hivites Covenants: The Jews: Regarded, As Sacred Gibeon: A City of the Hivites Gibeonites: Cities of 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 Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Treaty: Sacredness of