Joshua 9

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 9 of 24

1 And it happened, when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hills and in the Lowlands, and in all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, heard of it, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite,

2 they with one mouth gathered themselves to fight with Joshua and with Israel.

3 And the ones living in Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai.

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Chapter Summary

The kings join against Israel. 3 The Gibeonites obtain a league. 15 For which they are condemned to perpetual bondage.

Key Hebrew Words

בְּרִית covenant, league H1285 · TWOT 282a
עׇרְמָה craftiness, cunning H6195 · TWOT 1698b
רָמָה deceive H7411 · TWOT 2168
שָׁבַע swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319
עֵדָה congregation H5712 · TWOT 878a
אָרַר curse H779 · TWOT 168

People & Context

Gibeonites

Hivite inhabitants of Gibeon who feign being distant travelers to trick Israel into a covenant of peace

Joshua

Leader of Israel who makes peace with the Gibeonites, then confronts their deceit and makes them woodcutters and water-drawers

Jehovah

God of Israel by whose name the leaders swear the oath, and whose counsel Israel failed to seek

Moses

Servant of Jehovah whose command to destroy the land's inhabitants the Gibeonites cite as their reason for the ruse

Timeline

Canaanite Kings Assemble

The kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites gather with one mouth to fight against Joshua and Israel.

Joshua 9:1-2
Gibeonites Prepare Deception

The inhabitants of Gibeon hear of Jericho and Ai, and slyly disguise themselves as envoys with old sacks, torn wineskins, patched sandals, and dry, crumbly bread.

Joshua 9:3-5
Gibeonites Request a Covenant

The Gibeonites come to the camp at Gilgal, claim to be from a distant land because of Jehovah's fame in Egypt and against Sihon and Og, and ask for a covenant.

Joshua 9:6-13

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