Keraia
Joshua 9

Joshua 9:5

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

Translations

Modern
They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.
Traditional
And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
Literal
…and sandals that were old and patched on their feet, and old garments on themselves, and all the bread of their provision was dry—it had become crumbs.
Latin
…calceamentaque perantiqua quæ ad indicium vetustatis pittaciis consuta erant, induti veteribus vestimentis: panes quoque, quos portabant ob viaticum, duri erant, et in frustra comminuti:

Original

Hebrew
English
They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.

Notes

Joshua 9:4–6

At that time, traveling long distances was difficult, dirty, and dangerous. To succeed in their trick, the Gibeonites needed their supplies, clothes, and food to appear convincing.

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 Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Tribe of Dan

Topics

Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy Confidence: Betrayed: Joshua, by the Gibeonites Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of 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 Garments: Grew Old and Wore Out Gibeonites: Israel: Deceived By 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 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 Treaty: Between Nations: Israelites and Gibeonites