Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
JOSHUA 9:11KJVWhat does Joshua 9:11 mean?
Joshua 9:11 records the words of the Gibeonites as they explain to Joshua and the Israelites why they have come: their leaders and all the people of their land told them to bring provisions and go meet Israel, offering themselves as servants and asking to make a treaty. The verse shows the Gibeonites’ strategy to secure peace by presenting themselves humbly and requesting a formal agreement.
The Gibeonites are speaking to Joshua, describing how their elders and all the inhabitants (the people living in their land) instructed them to act. They were told to take food for the journey, approach the Israelites, and ask to become their servants in exchange for a covenant or treaty. This verse is part of the story where the Gibeonites, fearing Israel’s military strength, use a plan to avoid destruction by pretending to come from a distant country and seeking a peaceful alliance.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 9:11
- "Elders" (זָקֵן, zaqen): This word refers to the leaders or respected older men of the Gibeonite community, showing that the decision to approach Israel was made by those with authority.
- "League" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a covenant or treaty, emphasizing that the Gibeonites were not just asking for mercy but for a formal, binding agreement of peace.
- "Servants" (עֶבֶד, eved): This term means servants or slaves, highlighting the Gibeonites’ willingness to submit themselves to Israel in order to survive.
Why Joshua 9:11 matters
- Joshua 9:11 clarifies that the Gibeonites’ actions were not impulsive but were directed by their leaders and agreed upon by the whole community, showing a united and deliberate effort to seek peace.
- The verse highlights the importance of covenants (berit) in the ancient world, where formal agreements carried significant weight and were often seen as unbreakable.
- This verse sets up the tension in the wider story: Israel is being asked to make a binding agreement with people they believe are from far away, which leads to important consequences later in the chapter.