Joshua 9:24
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ
And they answered
H6030
וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ
And they answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 35
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 35
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֻגַּ֤ד
Because it was certainly
H5046
הֻגַּ֤ד
Because it was certainly
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
6 of 35
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
הֻגַּ֤ד
Because it was certainly
H5046
הֻגַּ֤ד
Because it was certainly
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
7 of 35
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 35
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֤ה
how that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
how that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 35
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 35
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָתֵ֤ת
to give
H5414
לָתֵ֤ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 35
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
all the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
25 of 35
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
27 of 35
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַנִּירָ֨א
afraid
H3372
וַנִּירָ֨א
afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
28 of 35
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מְאֹ֤ד
you therefore we were sore
H3966
מְאֹ֤ד
you therefore we were sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
29 of 35
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our lives
H5315
לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our lives
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
30 of 35
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
31 of 35
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה
of you and have done
H6213
וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה
of you and have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
32 of 35
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
33 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The Gibeonite confederacy knew detailed Mosaic law, including the destruction mandate (Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20:16-17) and the exception for distant cities willing to make peace (Deuteronomy 20:10-15). Their deception exploited this legal loophole by falsely claiming distant origin. This demonstrates how widely knowledge of Israel's God and His commands had spread through Canaan following the exodus and Jordan crossing.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Gibeonites' accurate knowledge of God's commands teach about the responsibility that comes with divine revelation?
- How does their choice to seek refuge through deception—rather than direct repentance—complicate our understanding of faith?
- In what ways does God's acceptance of even flawed faith (when it leads to His people) challenge rigid religious formalism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded... to destroy all the inhabitants—the Gibeonites' theological awareness is remarkable. They knew not merely Israel's military prowess but the divine mandate behind the conquest (הִשָּׁמֵד, hisshamed—to utterly destroy). Their phrase we were sore afraid of our lives (וַנִּירָא מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵינוּ, vanirah me'od lenafshoteinu) reveals existential terror at God's holiness, not merely human armies.
Unlike Jericho's doomed citizens or Ai's defenders, the Gibeonites responded to revelation with action, choosing survival through servitude over pride unto death. Their knowledge of God's commands suggests either espionage or God's sovereign disclosure—similar to Rahab's confession (Joshua 2:9-11). Faith, however imperfect or mixed with deception, seeks refuge in God's people rather than fighting against His purposes.