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 9:13KJVWhat 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.