Joshua 9:17

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

Translations

Modern
So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
Traditional
And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath–jearim.
Literal
And the sons of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. And their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim.
Latin
Moveruntque castra filii Israël, et venerunt in civitates eorum die tertio, quarum hæc vocabula sunt: Gabaon, et Caphira, et Beroth, et Cariathiarim.

Original

Hebrew
English
So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua God’s Covenants

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