That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

JOSHUA 9:2KJV
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Joshua 9:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 9:2 mean?

Joshua 9:2 describes how several groups in the land of Canaan decided to join forces and unite in opposition, planning together to fight against Joshua and the people of Israel. The verse emphasizes that these groups acted with a shared purpose and agreement.

The setting is after Israel’s victories at Jericho and Ai, which alarmed the surrounding Canaanite kings. The verse highlights that rather than acting alone, these different peoples gathered together, showing how seriously they viewed the threat from Israel. The phrase “with one accord” points to a rare unity among groups that were often rivals, underlining the gravity of the situation.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 9:2

  • The word “gathered” (קָהַל, qāhal) means to assemble or come together, often for a significant purpose. Here, it shows a deliberate alliance among the Canaanite groups.
  • “Together” (יַחְדָּו, yaḥdāv) and “one” (אֶחָד, eḥād) both stress unity. The verse uses these to underline that the groups were not just physically together but also united in intent.
  • “Accord” (פֶּה, peh) literally means “mouth,” but in this context, it refers to agreement or being of one voice. This suggests not just physical gathering but a shared plan and determination.

Why Joshua 9:2 matters

  • Joshua 9:2 shows that Israel’s arrival and victories were so significant that even hostile, competitive groups were willing to set aside their differences to oppose them.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the coming conflicts in Joshua, explaining why Israel soon faces organized resistance rather than scattered, isolated enemies.
  • The detail about unity (“with one accord”) highlights the seriousness of the opposition, making Israel’s continued success more striking in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.