Joshua 9 7

Joshua 9:7 kjv

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?

Joshua 9:7 nkjv

Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?"

Joshua 9:7 niv

The Israelites said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?"

Joshua 9:7 esv

But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?"

Joshua 9:7 nlt

The Israelites replied to these Hivites, "How do we know you don't live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you."

Joshua 9 verses

Joshua 9 7 Meaning

Joshua 9:7 describes the initial, cautious reaction of the Israelite leaders to the Gibeonite delegation. They expressed suspicion that these supposed distant travelers might actually be inhabitants from nearby Canaanite lands, stating that if so, making a treaty with them would violate God's clear command. This verse reveals Israel's initial discernment and knowledge of the divine prohibition against forming alliances with the nations designated for destruction within the Promised Land.

Joshua 9 7 Context

Joshua chapter 9 opens with all the kings west of the Jordan forming a grand alliance against Israel after hearing of the conquests of Jericho and Ai. In contrast, the Gibeonites, a group of Hivites who resided in a strategic central location, chose a different approach. Rather than outright conflict, they decided to resort to cunning. They deliberately disguised themselves, pretending to be emissaries from a very distant land whose provisions were old and worn from a long journey. This ruse was specifically designed to bypass God's command to Israel regarding the immediate inhabitants of Canaan (Deut 7, Deut 20). The Israelite leaders' response in Joshua 9:7 shows their initial skepticism and awareness of the specific divine law concerning alliances with those who lived "among us," contrasting with those from truly far-off lands (Deut 20:10-15). Their question reflects their recognition that a covenant with a local people was strictly forbidden, driven by the theological concern of idolatry and compromise. This verse sets the stage for their tragic oversight of failing to consult the Lord, despite their correct initial intuition.

Joshua 9 7 Word analysis

• But (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, yet here it serves to introduce a turning point or a contrasting response to the Gibeonites' initial presentation. It highlights the moment of deliberation by the Israelite leadership.
• the men of Israel (אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל - 'ish Yisra'el): Refers to the collective leadership and representatives, implicitly Joshua, the elders, and the princes (mentioned explicitly later in the chapter). It signifies a corporate decision-making process. The use of "men" points to those holding authority and responsibility for national decisions.
• said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayyo'meru): A standard Hebrew verb for speaking. It indicates a direct and verbal response to the Gibeonites' claims.
• to the Hivites (אֶל-הַחִוִּי - 'el ha-Chivvi): This is crucial. The Israelites identify them, at least initially, as a specific group: "the Hivite." This particular tribal name was listed among the Canaanite nations designated for destruction (e.g., Exod 3:8, Gen 10:17). This immediate identification underscores their knowledge of the Mosaic laws. The Gibeonites were Hivites, yet Israel would discover their actual proximity later.
• Perhaps (אוּלַי - 'ulay): An adverb expressing doubt, possibility, or contingency. It reveals the Israelites' suspicion and caution; they are not fully convinced by the Gibeonites' story. This word shows their initial correct intuition that something might be amiss, highlighting a glimmer of discernment.
• you live among us (בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אַתֶּם - beqirbenu 'attem): Literally, "you are in our midst." This phrase denotes geographic proximity – dwelling close to or within the boundaries of the Promised Land. This directly relates to the laws in Deut 7 and 20 that differentiate how Israel was to treat distant nations versus the inhabitants within the land. Their immediate concern points to their awareness of these boundaries.
• how then (וְאֵיךְ - ve'eikh): An interrogative expressing perplexity or a rhetorical question. It implies that if their suspicion is true (i.e., "you live among us"), then the subsequent action ("make a treaty") would be illogical, forbidden, or impossible according to their covenant with God.
• can we make a treaty (נִכְרָת... בְּרִית - nichrat... berit): The Hebrew idiom for "making a covenant" is "cutting a covenant." This practice, karat berit, stems from ancient rituals often involving the cutting of animals, symbolizing a binding and often self-maledictory commitment. It signifies a solemn, unbreakable agreement. Here, berit (covenant/treaty) refers to a binding non-aggression pact or alliance.

Words-group analysis:

• "But the men of Israel said to the Hivites": This opening establishes the confrontation and the immediate interaction between Israel's leadership and the deceptive delegation. It highlights that the dialogue was official and purposeful.
• "'Perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a treaty with you?'": This entire phrase encapsulates Israel's initial prudence. It demonstrates their awareness of God's covenant commands (not to make treaties with local Canaanite nations due to the danger of idolatry and assimilation) and their suspicion of the Gibeonites' claim of distant origin. This initial caution, while right, tragically highlights their failure to then consult God for divine wisdom when presented with the cunning narrative.

Joshua 9 7 Bonus section

The Gibeonite deception and Israel's reaction in Josh 9:7 illustrate the often-underestimated cunning of the enemy (whether physical or spiritual) who seeks to subtly circumvent God's clear commands. This episode is a polemic against human self-reliance in the face of crucial decisions; the Israelites failed to "ask counsel from the Lord" (Josh 9:14), a fundamental omission for God's people. The lasting repercussions of this rushed covenant – extending even to Saul's actions centuries later and resulting in famine during David's reign (2 Sam 21:1-6) – underscore the sacred and unbreakable nature of a covenant once sworn before God, regardless of the deception that prompted it. This story thus becomes a timeless warning about the profound importance of discernment and prayer in every significant step, teaching that even an informed suspicion needs to be fully validated by divine guidance.

Joshua 9 7 Commentary

Joshua 9:7 is a pivotal verse, showing Israel's commendable initial caution and their understanding of the Mosaic covenant, which explicitly forbade treaty-making with the Canaanite nations designated for destruction. Their question, "Perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a treaty with you?", demonstrates their correct grasp of God's differentiating commands for peoples within the Promised Land versus those in distant lands (Deut 7:1-5; 20:10-18). They knew a solemn covenant, a berit, was a weighty and binding commitment. The problem, however, was not their initial insight, but their subsequent failure (as shown in Josh 9:14) to rely on divine wisdom. Despite their initial discernment, they were still susceptible to elaborate human deception. This verse foreshadows how good intentions and partial understanding can still lead to grave errors if one neglects to seek full divine counsel when making critical decisions. It highlights the constant need for the believer to apply spiritual wisdom and direct inquiry of God, rather than relying solely on human judgment, even if that judgment is initially well-informed.