This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:

JOSHUA 9:12KJV
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Joshua 9:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 9:12 mean?

Joshua 9:12 records the Gibeonites showing their bread to Joshua and the Israelites, claiming it was fresh and hot when they left home, but now it is dry and moldy. They use this as supposed proof that their journey has been long, trying to convince Israel they come from a distant land.

The speakers are the Gibeonites, addressing Joshua and the leaders of Israel as part of their plan to avoid destruction. The Gibeonites want Israel to believe they are not local Canaanites but travelers from far away, so they present their old, spoiled bread as evidence. This verse is part of a larger story where the Gibeonites use deception to secure a peace treaty with Israel.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 9:12

  • bread (לֶחֶם, lechem): This is the ordinary word for bread or food. Here, it emphasizes the basic provision the Gibeonites claim to have brought for their journey.
  • hot (חָם, cham): This word means warm or hot, stressing that the bread was freshly baked when they left, making its current spoiled state seem more dramatic.
  • provision (צֵידָה, tzeidah): This term refers to food supplies for a journey. The Gibeonites highlight that this bread was their main travel provision, underscoring their story of a long trip.
  • dry (יָבֵשׁ, yavesh) and mouldy (נִקָּד, niqqad): These words describe the bread’s current state—dry and crumbly, even moldy—meant to visually support their claim of a long, difficult journey.

Why Joshua 9:12 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the Gibeonites’ strategy of deception, showing how they manipulated physical evidence to support their story.
  • It highlights the importance of discernment, as Israel is being misled by appearances rather than seeking guidance from God.
  • The verse connects to the broader narrative, setting up the consequences of Israel making a treaty without fully investigating or consulting God.

Where else these words appear

“hot” Hebrew H2525 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 37:17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

“mouldy” Hebrew H5350 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
  • 1 Kings 14:3 And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child.

“provision” Hebrew H6679 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
  • Job 10:16 For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.
  • Lamentations 3:52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

“dry” Hebrew H3001 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
  • Isaiah 19:5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
  • Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.