Joshua 9:20

Translations

Modern

This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”

Traditional

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

Literal

This we will do to them: We will let them live, and wrath will not be upon us, because of the oath that we have sworn to them.”

Latin

Sed hoc faciemus eis: reserventur quidem ut vivant, ne contra nos ira Domini concitetur, si pejeraverimus:

Original

Hebrew

English

This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”

Notes

Joshua 9:18–21

Israel could not violate this treaty, even though the Gibeonites tricked them into making it. Violating a covenant sworn by an oath before the Lord would have shown a lack of respect for God's name and honor (compare Genesis 27:30–38).

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

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Ezekiel 17:12–21
“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.
Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
Zechariah 5:3–4
Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed.
1 Timothy 1:10
…for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching
2 Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Samuel 21:1–6
During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”
Romans 1:31
They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

Glossary

Alliance Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Samuel, Books of First and Second Tribe of Dan

Topics

Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Contracts by Oaths Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of Covenant: Binding Covenant: Sacred Gibeonites: Israel: Appointed, Hewers of Wood 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: The Jews: Generally Respected the Obligation of Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Swearing Falsely: Saints Abstain From Treaty: Sacredness of

Joshua 9:20

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