Joshua 9:8

Analysis & Commentary

The Gibeonites' response: 'Thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt.' This answer brilliantly deflects the question while appearing pious. Notice: they don't directly answer 'where are you from?'—the crucial question. Instead, they testify about Yahweh's reputation and works, establishing theological common ground. The phrase 'because of the name of the LORD thy God' suggests religious motivation for seeking covenant—positioning themselves as believers or at least respecters of Israel's God. Their catalog of God's works (Egypt, Amorite kings) shows knowledge of Yahweh's mighty acts. This knowledge was real (Rahab had similar testimony, 2:10), but they weaponized it for deception. The answer demonstrates sophisticated manipulation: combining truth (they had heard of Yahweh's works) with deceit (implying this motivated long journey). The passage warns that accurate theology can mask deceptive intent. Orthodoxy doesn't guarantee honesty.

Historical Context

The Gibeonites' knowledge of Yahweh's works in Egypt and Transjordan was genuine—these events were regionally famous, creating terror throughout Canaan (2:10-11). Their citation of specific events (Egypt, Sihon, Og) showed detailed knowledge, lending credibility to their claim of having heard reports from afar. Ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocol often involved acknowledging the other party's deity and military victories—showing respect and establishing basis for relationship. The Gibeonites' invocation of 'the name of the LORD thy God' used covenant language, suggesting reverence that would appeal to pious Israelites. Their strategy was psychologically sophisticated: appearing as foreign admirers of Yahweh drawn by His reputation, rather than threatened neighbors seeking survival. The answer's effectiveness shows how mixing truth with deception creates powerful lies—the truth content makes the deception harder to detect. Church history shows similar patterns: heretics often begin with orthodox statements before introducing errors. The Gibeonites teach the necessity of testing claims beyond surface theological correctness.

Questions for Reflection

• How can accurate theological knowledge or orthodox language mask deceptive intentions?
• What does the Gibeonites' deflection technique (answering related questions instead of the actual question) teach about recognizing evasion?
• When have you seen truth used as a vehicle for deception rather than as its opposite?