Joshua 9 (NET)

The Gibeonites Deceive Israel

1 When the news reached all the kings on the west side of the Jordan1 – in the hill country, the lowlands,2 and all along the Mediterranean coast3 as far as4 Lebanon (including the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) – 2 they formed an alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.5

3 When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho6 and Ai, 4 they did something clever. They collected some provisions7 and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched. 5 They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread8 was dry and hard.9 6 They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.” 7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us.10 So how can we make a treaty with you?” 8 But they said to Joshua, “We are willing to be your subjects.”11 So Joshua said to them, “Who are you and where do you come from?” 9 They told him, “Your subjects12 have come from a very distant land because of the reputation13 of the Lord your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in Egypt14 10 and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth. 11 Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your subjects.15 Make a treaty with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it in our homes the day we started out to meet you,16 but now it is dry and hard.17 13 These wineskins we filled were brand new, but look how they have ripped. Our clothes and sandals have worn out because it has been a very long journey.” 14 The men examined18 some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice.19 15 Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community20 sealed it with an oath.21

16 Three days after they made the treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from the local area and lived nearby.22 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities – Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. 18 The Israelites did not attack them because the leaders of the community had sworn an oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel.23 The whole community criticized24 the leaders, 19 but all the leaders told the whole community, “We swore an oath to them in the name of25 the Lord God of Israel. So now we can’t hurt26 them! 20 We must let them live so we can escape the curse attached to the oath we swore to them.”27 21 The leaders then added,28 “Let them live.” So they became29 woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided.30

22 31

Joshua summoned the Gibeonites32 and said to them, “Why did you trick33 us by saying, ‘We live far away from you,’ when you really live nearby?34 23 Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”35 24 They said to Joshua, “It was carefully reported to your subjects36 how the Lord your God commanded Moses his servant to assign you the whole land and to destroy all who live in the land from before you. Because of you we were terrified37 we would lose our lives, so we did this thing. 25 So now we are in your power.38 Do to us what you think is good and appropriate.39 26 Joshua did as they said; he kept the Israelites from killing them40 27 and that day made them woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord at the divinely chosen site. (They continue in that capacity to this very day.)41

19:1tn Heb “When all the kings who were beyond the Jordan heard.” 29:1tn Or “foothills”; Heb “the Shephelah.” 39:1tn Heb “all the coast of the Great Sea.” The “Great Sea” was the typical designation for the Mediterranean Sea. 49:1tn Heb “in front of.” 59:2tn Heb “they gathered together to fight against Joshua and Israel [with] one mouth.” 69:3map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1. 79:4tc Heb “and they went and [?].” The root and meaning of the verb form יִצְטַיָּרוּ (yitstayyaru) are uncertain. The form is most likely a corruption of יִצְטַיָּדוּ (yitstayyadu), read by some Hebrew mss and ancient versions, from the root צוּד (tsud, “take provisions,” BDB 845 s.v. II צוד) which also occurs in v. 11. Note NRSV “they went and prepared provisions”; cf. NEB “They went and disguised themselves”; NIV “they went as a delegation.” 89:5tn Heb “all the bread of their provisions.” 99:5tn Or “moldy.” 109:7tn Heb “in our midst.” 119:8tn Heb “we are your servants.” 129:9tn Or “servants.” 139:9tn Heb “name.” 149:9tn Heb “the report about him, all that he did in Egypt.” 159:11tn Heb “your servants.” 169:12tn Heb “in the day we went out to come to you.” 179:12tn Or “moldy.” 189:14tn Heb “took.” This probably means they tasted some of the food to make sure it was stale. 199:14tn Heb “but they did not ask the mouth of the Lord.” This refers to seeking the Lord’s will and guidance through an oracle. 209:15tn Or “assembly.” 219:15tn Heb “Joshua made peace with them and made a treaty with them to let them live, and the leaders of the community swore an oath to them.” 229:16tn Heb “At the end of three days, after they made the treaty with them, they heard that they were neighbors to them and in their midst they were living.” 239:18tn Heb “by the Lord God of Israel.” 249:18tn Or “grumbled against.” 259:19tn Heb “to them by….” 269:19tn Or “touch.” 279:20tn Heb “This is what we will do to them, keeping them alive so there will not be upon us anger concerning the oath which we swore to them.” 289:21tc Heb “and the leaders said to them.” The LXX omits the words “and the leaders said to them.” 299:21tn The vav (ו) consecutive construction in the Hebrew text suggests that the narrative resumes at this point. The LXX reads here, “and they will be,” understanding what follows to be a continuation of the leaders’ words rather than a comment by the narrator. 309:21tn Heb “as the leaders said to them.” 319:22sn Verses 22-27 appear to elaborate on v. 21b. 329:22tn Heb “them.” 339:22tn Or “deceive.” 349:22tn Heb “live in our midst?” 359:23tn Heb “Now you are cursed and a servant will not be cut off from you, woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” 369:24tn Heb “your servants.” 379:24tn Or “we were very afraid.” 389:25tn Heb “so now, look, we are in your hand.” 399:25tn Heb “according to what is good and according to what is upright in your eyes to do us, do.” 409:26tn Heb “And he did to them so and he rescued them from the hand of the sons of Israel and they did not kill them.” 419:27tn Heb “and Joshua made them in that day woodcutters and water carriers for the community, and for the altar of the Lord to this day at the place which he chooses.”