Joshua 9:22
And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
for them and he spake
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
for them and he spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לָמָּה֩
H4100
לָמָּה֩
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
רִמִּיתֶ֨ם
Wherefore have ye beguiled
H7411
רִמִּיתֶ֨ם
Wherefore have ye beguiled
Strong's:
H7411
Word #:
8 of 17
to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)
אֹתָ֜נוּ
H853
אֹתָ֜נוּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רְחוֹקִ֨ים
far
H7350
רְחוֹקִ֨ים
far
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
11 of 17
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
מִכֶּם֙
H4480
מִכֶּם֙
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מְאֹ֔ד
We are very
H3966
מְאֹ֔ד
We are very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
Cross References
Joshua 9:6And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.Joshua 9:16And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
Historical Context
Gibeon was a major Canaanite city-state located about six miles northwest of Jerusalem. Archaeological evidence confirms it was a significant urban center during the Late Bronze Age. The Gibeonites were Hivites (v. 7), descendants of Ham listed among the Canaanite nations marked for judgment. Their deception occurred soon after Israel's conquest of Jericho and Ai, when Israel's military reputation terrified the region.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's failure to seek God's counsel before making the treaty warn against relying solely on appearances and human wisdom?
- What does Joshua's confrontation rather than immediate execution reveal about covenant integrity even when deceived?
- How do the Gibeonites' actions demonstrate that genuine fear of God can emerge even from pagan backgrounds?
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore have ye beguiled us (לָמָּה רִמִּיתֶם, lamah rimitem)—the verb רָמָה (ramah) means to deceive or betray, the same word used of Jacob's deception of Isaac (Genesis 27:35). Joshua's confrontation exposed the Gibeonites' elaborate ruse: worn-out provisions, patched wineskins, and false claims of distant origins (vv. 4-13). Their deception succeeded because Israel 'asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD' (v. 14).
This diplomatic failure contrasts sharply with the covenant renewal at Mount Ebal (8:30-35). When Israel relied on human discernment rather than divine guidance, they were outwitted by Canaanite cunning. Yet God sovereignly used even this treaty violation to preserve a remnant who feared Him (v. 24), foreshadowing Rahab and Ruth—Gentiles grafted into Israel's covenant community through faith.