Joshua 9 25

Joshua 9:25 kjv

And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

Joshua 9:25 nkjv

And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us."

Joshua 9:25 niv

We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you."

Joshua 9:25 esv

And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it."

Joshua 9:25 nlt

Now we are at your mercy ? do to us whatever you think is right."

Joshua 9 verses

Joshua 9 25 Meaning

Joshua 9:25 conveys the Gibeonites' complete surrender and acceptance of whatever judgment the Israelite leaders deemed appropriate for them. Having been exposed for their deception, they acknowledged their precarious position under Israelite power and implicitly recognized God's authority enabling Israel's victories. This statement signifies a humble resignation to their fate, choosing subjugation over certain annihilation.

Joshua 9 25 Context

Joshua 9:25 is situated within the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. After the powerful victories over Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites, a cunning Hivite people (Josh 9:7), disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land to deceive Joshua and the Israelite leaders. They feigned an alliance with a foreign nation, securing a peace treaty and a sworn oath from Israel's leaders. The Israelites failed to consult the Lord (Josh 9:14), a critical error. Three days later, the deception was discovered when Israel learned the Gibeonites lived within their promised inheritance. Despite the fraud, the Israelite leaders, bound by their solemn oath sworn before the Lord, could not break the covenant and annihilate them. The congregation grumbled, but the leaders affirmed the binding nature of the oath (Josh 9:19-20). Instead, the Gibeonites were cursed to become perpetual woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation, dedicated to the service of the altar of the Lord. Verse 25 is the Gibeonites' response to this judgment, showing their complete surrender and acceptance of this new, subservient role rather than death. This decision was a testament to the inviolability of oaths in ancient Israel, even those secured by deceit.

Joshua 9 25 Word analysis

• Now behold (וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה - ve'attah hinneh): "And now, behold!" This phrase serves as an emphatic transition, drawing immediate attention to the Gibeonites' profound statement. "Hinneh" acts as an interjection, signaling a crucial declaration or a self-evident truth about their current predicament. It highlights the weight and finality of their acknowledgment.
• we are in your hand (בְיֶדְכֶם אֲנַחְנוּ - be'yedchem anachnu): Literally, "in your hand, we." This is a common biblical idiom expressing absolute surrender, vulnerability, and complete powerlessness before another. It signifies being completely at the mercy and control of another party. The Gibeonites explicitly acknowledge they have no recourse, no defense, and no power to resist. Their lives and future are entirely dependent on Joshua's decision.
• whatever seems good (כַּטּוֹב - kattov): "according to the good," or "as is good." This indicates their submission to whatever decision Israel's leaders deem fitting or desirable. It suggests they are not asserting any rights or demanding specific treatment, but resignedly accept Israel's perceived "good" for them.
• and right (וְכַיָּשָׁר - ve'kayashar): "and according to the right" or "as is straight/upright/proper." This further emphasizes their willingness to accept a decision that is considered just or appropriate by the Israelites. This phrase together with "kattov" conveys a complete deferral to Israel's judgment and sense of justice, effectively validating Israel's impending decree upon them.
• to you (בְּעֵינֵיכֶם - be'eineykem): Literally, "in your eyes." Another frequent Hebrew idiom meaning "in your estimation," "in your judgment," or "as you see fit." It reinforces that the decision rests solely on Joshua's discretion and perception.
• do to us (עֲשׂוּ־לָנוּ - asu-lanu): "do for us" or "act toward us." This is a straightforward request for Joshua to proceed with whatever decision he and the elders have made. It is the language of a supplicant awaiting a decree from a position of powerlessness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "we are in your hand; whatever seems good and right to you": This combined phrase conveys utter and unconditional submission. The Gibeonites are not just acknowledging Israel's power but are explicitly ceding all decision-making authority to them. It signifies their complete renunciation of any claim or right they might have, putting their fate entirely into Israel's hands based on Israel's own moral and practical judgment.
• "whatever seems good and right to you, do to us": This complete surrender of agency and humble appeal underscores the profound consequence of their deception. Having faced potential destruction as Canaanites, their willingness to accept permanent servitude, no matter how menial, was a testament to their desire for survival. This also demonstrates an understanding of ancient Near Eastern conquest customs where subjugation was a common alternative to annihilation.

Joshua 9 25 Bonus section

• Theology of Covenant and Divine Holiness: This event deeply underscores the absolute sanctity of an oath made in the Lord's name. God's holiness demands faithfulness to sworn commitments, even those entered into under unfavorable conditions or deceit. The consequence of breaking such an oath (God's wrath) was more severe for Israel than adhering to a general command that was already complicated by the Gibeonites' clever ruse.
• Paradoxical Integration: The Gibeonites, through their deception, gained a unique, albeit low, position within the Israelite commonwealth, serving at the very tabernacle/temple of God as woodcutters and water carriers (Josh 9:27). This outcome is remarkably different from the complete annihilation faced by other Canaanite cities and can be seen as an early foreshadowing of how even non-Israelites could come into relationship, though perhaps in a menial capacity, with the God of Israel.
• Long-Term Impact: The Gibeonite covenant was not a one-off event. Centuries later, under King David, a famine struck Israel for three years (2 Sam 21:1-6). When David inquired of the Lord, he discovered it was because King Saul, in his zeal, had violated the ancient covenant with the Gibeonites by seeking to kill them. This further emphasizes God's long memory and profound commitment to upholding the sacredness of oaths made in His name.

Joshua 9 25 Commentary

Joshua 9:25 encapsulates the Gibeonites' shrewd survival strategy shifting from deception to utter submission. Their acknowledgment, "we are in your hand; whatever seems good and right to you, do to us," represents a critical turning point. It highlights their pragmatic acceptance of their deserved punishment—a life of perpetual servitude—rather than death. For the Israelites, this verse demonstrates the weighty biblical principle that an oath, once sworn, is binding before God, even when obtained through trickery. Though the deception initially violated the direct command to utterly destroy certain Canaanite inhabitants, Israel's leaders upheld the covenant, recognizing that breaking a solemn vow would incur God's wrath, a far greater spiritual consequence. The Gibeonites’ statement reveals their desperate hope for survival within the bounds of God's covenant people, albeit in a humbled role. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the sacred nature of sworn oaths in God's eyes and the divine justice that prevails, addressing both the deceit of the Gibeonites and the fidelity required of Israel.