And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

JOSHUA 9:13KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 9:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 9:13 mean?

Joshua 9:13 describes how the Gibeonites showed Joshua and the Israelites their worn-out wineskins, clothes, and sandals as proof that they had come from a very distant place. They claimed these items were new when they started their journey, but now everything was old and damaged because of how far they had traveled.

In this scene, the Gibeonites are speaking to Joshua and the leaders of Israel. They are trying to convince the Israelites that they are not local Canaanites but travelers from a far-off land, hoping to secure a peace treaty. The verse highlights their strategy of using physical evidence—old bottles (wineskins), garments, and shoes—to support their story and gain sympathy.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 9:13

  • "bottles" (נֹאדוֹת, nodot): This word refers to animal-skin containers used for holding liquids like wine. The Gibeonites point out that these were new when filled, but now they are torn, emphasizing the supposed length of their journey.
  • "rent" (בָּקַע, baqa): This word means "torn" or "split open." The use of this term stresses the severe wear and tear, making their story seem more believable.
  • "old" (בָּלָה, balah): This word is used for both garments and shoes, describing them as worn out. It underlines the claim that the journey was not only long but also hard on their belongings.
  • "very long journey" (מְאֹד רָחֹק דֶּרֶךְ, me'od rachoq derekh): The phrase combines "very" (מְאֹד, me'od), "long" or "much" (רָב, rav), and "journey" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh) to stress the supposed great distance traveled.

Why Joshua 9:13 matters

  • Joshua 9:13 helps explain how the Gibeonites deceived Israel by making their story believable with physical evidence, not just words.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan, showing how the Gibeonites avoided destruction by using cunning rather than force.
  • This verse clears up why Joshua and the leaders were convinced by the Gibeonites’ story, setting up the events that follow where Israel makes a treaty with them.

Where else these words appear

“bottles” Hebrew H4997 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

“old” Hebrew H1086 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
  • Nehemiah 9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
  • Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

“garments” Hebrew H8008 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Joshua 22:8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
  • Nehemiah 9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

“shoes” Hebrew H5275 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • 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.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: