And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

JOSHUA 10:6KJV
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Joshua 10:6 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:6 mean?

Joshua 10:6 describes how the men of Gibeon urgently sent a message to Joshua at Gilgal, pleading for immediate help because the Amorite kings from the hill country had united against them. The Gibeonites asked Joshua not to abandon them but to come quickly to save and assist them in their time of danger.

In this verse, the Gibeonites—who had recently made a treaty with Israel—are speaking directly to Joshua, Israel’s leader. They are in a desperate situation, as several Amorite kings have joined forces to attack Gibeon for allying with Israel. The verse highlights the urgency and dependence of the Gibeonites, as well as the pressure placed on Joshua to respond swiftly.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:6

  • "Slack" (רָפָה, raphah): This word means to let go, relax, or abandon. The Gibeonites are begging Joshua not to hesitate or hold back in helping them, emphasizing their fear and need for immediate action.
  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, eved): By calling themselves Joshua’s servants, the Gibeonites are reminding him of their treaty and appealing to his responsibility to protect them.
  • "Save" (יָשַׁע, yasha) and "help" (עָזַר, azar): These two words together stress both rescue from danger and active assistance, showing the depth of the Gibeonites’ need.

Why Joshua 10:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies the seriousness of the alliance between Israel and Gibeon, showing that the treaty was not just symbolic but required real action and risk.
  • Joshua 10:6 sets up the dramatic events that follow, where Joshua leads Israel to defend Gibeon, resulting in a major battle and miraculous intervention.
  • The verse highlights the theme of responsibility and faithfulness to one’s word, as Joshua is called to honor the agreement with the Gibeonites even though it puts Israel in a difficult position.

Where else these words appear

“quickly” Hebrew H4120 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 16:46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
  • 2 Samuel 17:16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
  • Psalms 147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

“Gibeon” Hebrew H1391 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
  • Joshua 21:17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“Slack” Hebrew H7503 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
  • 2 Samuel 4:1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
  • Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.