Joshua 14:1 The Israelites took possession of these portions that the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads of the Israelite tribes gave them in the land of Canaan.
Joshua 14:2 Their inheritance was by lot as Yahveh commanded through Moses for the nine and a half tribes,
Joshua 14:3 because Moses had given the inheritance to the two and a half tribes beyond the Jordan. But he gave no inheritance among them to the Levites.
Joshua 14:4 The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in and pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.
Joshua 14:5 So the Israelites did as Yahveh commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
Joshua 14:6 The descendants of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, said to him, “You know what Yahveh promised Moses the man of God at Kadesh-Barnea about you and me.
Joshua 14:7 I was forty years old when Moses Yahveh’s slave sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report.
Joshua 14:8 My brothers who went with me caused the people to lose heart, but I followed Yahveh, my God, wholly.
Joshua 14:9 On that day, Moses swore to me: ‘The land where you have set foot will be a permanent inheritance for you and your descendants because you have followed Yahveh my God completely.’
Joshua 14:10 “As you see, Yahveh has kept me alive these forty-five years as he promised, since Yahveh spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, eighty-five years old.
Joshua 14:11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and daily tasks is now as it was then.
Joshua 14:12 Now give me this hill country Yahveh promised me on that day because you heard then that the Anakim are there, as well as large fortified cities. Maybe Yahveh will be with me, and I will drive them out as Yahveh promised.”
Joshua 14:13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb, son of Jephunneh, and gave him Hebron as an inheritance.
Joshua 14:14 Therefore, Hebron still belongs to Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, as an inheritance today because he followed Yahveh, the God of Israel, completely.
Joshua 14:15 Hebron’s name had been Kiriath-arba; Arba was the most extraordinary man among the Anakim. After this, the land had rest from war.
Joshua 14 quotes:
“Joshua 14 introduces the dividing of land west of the Jordan with a summary statement on areas inherited in the land of Canaan (14:1). The phrase “land of Canaan” refers to land west of the Jordan, where the Canaanites live. The narrator repeats the instructions in a concluding summary (19:51). Eleazar, the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and clan heads (lit. heads of father’s houses) will determine the allotments by casting lots. As the Lord commanded through Moses (14:2, 5), they distribute a tribe’s inheritance by lot, taking into account the names of the ancestors and size of tribe (Num. 26:52-56). The narrator’s introduction stresses that the priest, military leader, and local heads follow instructions from the Lord that came through Moses. The role of heads of clans indicates that tribal inheritances reflect a democratic, representative process. Clans represent the basic social organization of the tribes, the strong and the weak together. Later, a closing summary of the west-bank division of land adds that the ceremony took place in Shiloh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (19:51).”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 82.
“These introductory verses inform the reader how the twelve tribes, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob, are accounted for: Levi was not given any territory (verses 3b,4b; see also 13.14,33), which would reduce the number of tribes with land to eleven. But the descendants of Joseph were divided into two tribes, named for his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, which made the total number of landed tribes twelve.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 191.
Joshua 13:1 Joshua had become old and advanced in age, and Yahveh said to him, “You have become old and advanced in age, but a lot of land remains to be possessed.
Joshua 13:2 This is the land that remains: All the districts of the Philistines and the Geshurites:
Joshua 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the border of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory) – the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as the Avvites
Joshua 13:4 in the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians to Aphek and as far as the border of the Amorites;
Joshua 13:5 the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon east from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath –
Joshua 13:6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians. I will drive them out in front of the Israelites, only distribute the land as an inheritance for Israel, as I have commanded you.
Joshua 13:7 Therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
Joshua 13:8 With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh, the Reubenites, and Gadites had received the inheritance Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just like Moses Yahveh’s slave had given them:
Joshua 13:9 From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, all the Medeba plateau as far as Dibon,
Joshua 13:10 and all the cities of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the Ammonites;
Joshua 13:11 also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah –
Joshua 13:12 the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei; he was one of the remaining Rephaim. Moses struck them down and pushed them out,
Joshua 13:13 but the Israelites did not push out the Geshurites and Maacathites. So, Geshur and Maacath still live in Israel today.
Joshua 13:14 He did not, however, give any inheritance to the tribe of Levi. This was their inheritance, just like he had promised: the offerings made by fire to Yahveh, the God of Israel.
Joshua 13:15 To the tribe of Reuben’s descendants by their clans, Moses gave
Joshua 13:16 this as their territory: From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau as far as Medeba,
Joshua 13:17 with Heshbon and all its cities on the plateau– Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon,
Joshua 13:18 Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
Joshua 13:19 Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth-shahar on the hill in the valley,
Joshua 13:20 Beth-peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth –
Joshua 13:21 all the cities of the plateau, and all the kingdom of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. Moses had killed him and the chiefs of Midian – Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba – the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.
Joshua 13:22 Along with those the Israelites put to death, they also killed the diviner, Balaam, son of Beor, with the sword.
Joshua 13:23 The border of the Reubenites was the Jordan and its plain. These were the inheritances of the Reubenites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.
Joshua 13:24 To the tribe of the Gadites by their clans, Moses gave
Joshua 13:25 this as their territory: Jazer and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites to Aroer, near Rabbah;
Joshua 13:26 from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
Joshua 13:27 in the valley: Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon– the rest of the kingdom of King Sihon of Heshbon. Their land also included the Jordan and its territory as far as the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan.
Joshua 13:28 This was the inheritance of the Gadites by their clans, with the cities and their settlements.
Joshua 13:29 And to half the tribe of Manasseh (that is, to half the tribe of Manasseh’s descendants by their clans) Moses gave
Joshua 13:30 this as their territory: From Mahanaim through all Bashan – all the kingdom of King Og of Bashan, including all of Jair’s Villages that are in Bashan – sixty cities.
Joshua 13:31 But half of Gilead and Og’s royal cities in Bashan – Ashtaroth and Edrei – are for the descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh (that is, half the descendants of Machir by their clans).
Joshua 13:32 These were the portions Moses gave them on the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.
Joshua 13:33 But Moses did not give a portion to the tribe of Levi. Yahveh, the God of Israel, was their inheritance, just like he had promised them.
Joshua 13 quotes:
“This introduction tells readers that the tribes can no longer expect Joshua to lead them into warfare. Instead, completion of the struggle now depends on the tribes. The followers must become courageous leaders. This is God’s bad news that goes with the good news of giving an inheritance. An inheritance brings with it a set of challenges. As it was in the time of Joshua, today some people inherit resources but are overwhelmed by challenges accompanying them. Others alertly confront the challenges and enjoy the blessings of God’s inheritance by overcoming temptations that come with the inheritance. This is the challenge that comes with the blessings of God’s promises.”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 77.
“The section heading, The Land Still to Be Taken, may be translated “The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land.” Or, on the basis of verse 7, ‘The LORD commands Joshua to take the rest of the land and divide it among the other tribes of Israel.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 178.
Joshua 12:1 The Israelites struck down these kings of the land and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan to the east and from the Arnon River to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward:
Joshua 12:2 King Sihon of the Amorites lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon River, along the middle of the valley, and half of Gilead up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites),
Joshua 12:3 the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
Joshua 12:4 King Og of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
Joshua 12:5 He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all Bashan up to the Geshurite and Maacathite border, and half of Gilead to the border of King Sihon of Heshbon.
Joshua 12:6 Moses Yahveh’s slave and the Israelites struck them down. And Moses Yahveh’s slave gave their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua 12:7 Joshua and the Israelites struck down these kings of the land beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends toward Seir (Joshua gave their land as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their allotments:
Joshua 12:8 the hill country, the Judean foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev – the lands of the Hethites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites):
Joshua 12:9 the king of Jericho one the king of Ai, which is next to Bethel, one
Joshua 12:10 the king of Jerusalem one the king of Hebron one
Joshua 12:11 the king of Jarmuth one the king of Lachish one
Joshua 12:12 the king of Eglon one the king of Gezer one
Joshua 12:13 the king of Debir one the king of Geder one
Joshua 12:14 the king of Hormah one the king of Arad one
Joshua 12:15 the king of Libnah, one the king of Adullam one
Joshua 12:16 the king of Makkedah one the king of Bethel one
Joshua 12:17 the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one
Joshua 12:18 the king of Aphek one the king of Lasharon one
Joshua 12:19 the king of Madon one the king of Hazor one
Joshua 12:20 the king of Shimron-meron one the king of Achshaph one
Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach one the king of Megiddo one
Joshua 12:22 the king of Kedesh one the king of Jokneam in Carmel one
Joshua 12:23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor one the king of Goiim in Gilgal one
Joshua 12:24 the king of Tirzah one. The total number of all kings: thirty-one.
Joshua 12 quotes:
“An introduction describes the conquered area west of the Jordan before listing defeated kings (12:7-8). Thirtyone kings (12:24) conquered west of the Jordan are listed by the name of their city, not by a personal name. A list of six (not seven) ethnic groups on the western side of the Jordan appears in verse 8 (see the list also in 9:1). The narrative here does not divide the area into ethnic enclaves. The passage contrasts the work of Joshua as conqueror of the western area and thirty-one kings with that of Moses, the conqueror of two. The impressive list elevates Joshua’s role in defeating enemy rulers. Both passages state that Moses (12:6) and Joshua (12:7) gave Israel the land as a possession or inheritance. Surprisingly, the introduction to each section stresses that the tribes conquered the enemy kings and omits any reference to the Lord’s part in the victories (12:1, 7). The entire passage points out the importance of leadership and praises the fighting of the people as keys to defeating enemy leaders.”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 74.
“This section recalls the victories won by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses in the land east of the Jordan. The two kings, Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan, were defeated and their land was given to the two and one-half tribes that settled in the east.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 169.
Joshua 10:1 King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem happened to hear that Joshua had captured Ai and set it apart for destruction, treating Ai and its king as he had Jericho and its king. He also heard that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made a peace treaty with Israel and were living among them.
Joshua 10:2 So Adoni-Zedek and his people were greatly alarmed because Gibeon was a large city like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors.
Joshua 10:3 That is why King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem sent word to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish, and King Debir of Eglon, saying,
Joshua 10:4 “Come up and assist me. We will attack Gibeon because they have made a peace treaty with Joshua and the Israelites.”
Joshua 10:5 So the five Amorite kings – the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon – joined forces, advanced with all their armies, besieged Gibeon, and fought against it.
Joshua 10:6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Don’t give up on your slaves. Come quickly and deliver us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us.”
Joshua 10:7 So Joshua and all his troops, including all his most capable soldiers, came from Gilgal.
Joshua 10:8 Yahveh said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them because I have handed them over to you. Not one of them will be able to stand against you.”
Joshua 10:9 So Joshua caught them by surprise after marching all night from Gilgal.
Joshua 10:10 Yahveh threw them into confusion before Israel. He defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them through the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
Joshua 10:11 As they fled before Israel, Yahveh dropped large hailstones on them from the sky along the descent of Beth-horon all the way to Azekah, and they died. More of them died from the hail than the Israelites killed with the sword.
Joshua 10:12 On the day Yahveh gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to Yahveh in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day.
Joshua 10:14 There has been no day like it before or since when Yahveh listened to a man because Yahveh fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:15 Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp at Gilgal.
Joshua 10:16 The five defeated kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
Joshua 10:17 It was reported to Joshua: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
Joshua 10:18 Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and station men by it to guard the kings.
Joshua 10:19 But as for the rest of you, don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Don’t let them enter their cities because Yahveh, your God, has handed them over to you.”
Joshua 10:20 So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.
Joshua 10:21 The people returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared threaten the Israelites.
Joshua 10:22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”
Joshua 10:23 That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, to Joshua out of the cave.
Joshua 10:24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So, the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Joshua 10:25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for Yahveh will do this to all the enemies you fight.”
Joshua 10:26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees, and they were there until evening.
Joshua 10:27 At sunset, Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then, large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are still there today.
Joshua 10:28 On that day, Joshua captured Makkedah and struck it down with the sword, including its king. He set it and everyone in it apart for destruction, leaving no survivors. So, he treated the king of Makkedah as he had the king of Jericho.
Joshua 10:29 Joshua and all Israel with him crossed from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah.
Joshua 10:30 Yahveh also handed it and its king over to Israel. He struck it down, putting everyone to the sword, and left no survivors. He treated Libnah’s king as he had the king of Jericho.
Joshua 10:31 From Libnah, Joshua and all Israel with him crossed to Lachish. They laid siege to it and attacked it.
Joshua 10:32 Yahveh handed Lachish over to Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword, just like he had done to Libnah.
Joshua 10:33 At that time, King Horam of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors.
Joshua 10:34 Then Joshua crossed from Lachish to Eglon, with all Israel, and they laid siege to and attacked it.
Joshua 10:35 On that day, they captured it and struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword. He set it apart for destruction that day, just like he had done to Lachish.
Joshua 10:36 Next, Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron and attacked it.
Joshua 10:37 They captured it and struck down its king, all its villages, and everyone in it with the sword. He left no survivors, just like he had done at Eglon. He set Hebron and everyone in it apart for destruction.
Joshua 10:38 Finally, Joshua turned toward Debir and attacked it. And all Israel was with him.
Joshua 10:39 He captured it – its king and all its villages. They struck them down with the sword and set everyone in it apart for destruction, leaving no survivors. He treated Debir and its king as he had treated Hebron and as he had treated Libnah and its king.
Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region – the hill country, the Negev, the Judean foothills, and the slopes – with all their kings, leaving no survivors. He set every breathing[1] being apart for destruction, as Yahveh, the God of Israel, had commanded.
Joshua 10:41 Joshua conquered everyone from Kadesh-Barnea to Gaza and all the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon.
Joshua 10:42 Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign because Yahveh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:43 Then Joshua returned with all of Israel to the camp at Gilgal.
“A poem from the Book of Jashar celebrates the Lord’s support of the troops. In the poem’s introduction, Joshua calls out to the Lord, the ruler of the heavens, in front of Israel. He mentions the sun standing still over Gibeon and the moon, over the Valley of Aijalon. The poem states that the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the tribes avenged themselves against the enemy (10:12-13).”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 65.
“The word spoken to the sun was “stand still” (10:12). The variety of meanings of that word includes 4e silent or mute, become inactive, or cease from normal activity and function. Since the function of the sun is to shine, the word in this context could mean refrain from shining (don’t break forth with the dawn). On the other hand the statement concluding verse 13 describes the sun as stopping in the sky and staying in the sky, thus delaying the sunset.”
Lyles, Ron, et al. Joshua and Judges. 1st ed, Baptistway Press, 2005. p. 56.
“The first part of the book (1.1—12.24), which deals with the conquest of Canaan, is now drawing to a close. Having secured the central section of the land (Jericho, Ai, Gibeon), Joshua now strikes south and captures important cities and strongholds. In chapter 11 Joshua’s campaigns in the northern part of Canaan are reported, and chapter 12 brings the first half of the book to a close with a summary statement of the victories of Moses and Joshua.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 136.
Joshua 9:1 When all the kings heard about Jericho and Ai, those who were west of the Jordan in the hill country, in the Judean foothills, and all along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea toward Lebanon – the Hethites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites –
Joshua 9:2 they formed a unified alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.
Joshua 9:3 When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
Joshua 9:4 they acted deceptively. They gathered provisions and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
Joshua 9:5 They wore old, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies. Their entire provision of bread was dry and crumbly.
Joshua 9:6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a faraway land. Please make a treaty with us.”
Joshua 9:7 The men of Israel replied to the Hivites, “What if you actually live among us? How could we make a treaty with you?”
Joshua 9:8 They said to Joshua, “We are your slaves.” Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
Joshua 9:9 They replied to him, “Your slaves have come from a faraway land because of the reputation of Yahveh, your God. You see, we have heard news about him and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:10 and all that he did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who was in Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your slaves. Please make a treaty with us.”‘
Joshua 9:12 This bread of ours was warm when we took it from our houses as food on the day we left to come to you; but see, it is now dry and crumbly.
Joshua 9:13 These wineskins were new when we filled them; but see, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the extremely long journey.”
Joshua 9:14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions but did not seek Yahveh’s decision.
Joshua 9:15 So Joshua established a relationship with them and made a treaty to allow them to stay alive, and the leaders of the community swore an oath to them.
Joshua 9:16 Three days after making the treaty with them, they heard that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living among them.
Joshua 9:17 So the Israelites set out and reached the Gibeonite cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
Joshua 9:18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the community had sworn an oath to them by Yahveh, the God of Israel. Then, the whole community grumbled against the leaders.
Joshua 9:19 All the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by Yahveh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Joshua 9:20 This is how we will treat them: we will let them stay alive so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”
Joshua 9:21 They also said, “Let them stay alive.” So, as the leaders had promised, the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community.
Joshua 9:22 Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?
Joshua 9:23 Therefore you are cursed and will always be slaves – woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
Joshua 9:24 The Gibeonites answered him, “It was clearly reported to your slaves that Yahveh, your God, had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to annihilate all the inhabitants of the land before you. We greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.
Joshua 9:25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever you think is right.”
Joshua 9:26 This is what Joshua did to them: he rescued them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.
Joshua 9:27 On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers – as they are today – for the community and for Yahveh’s altar at the place he would choose.
Joshua 9 quotes:
” A new phase of possessing the land begins here, and conquering the hill country is the next challenge for possessing the land. The narrator tells of independent ethnic enclaves who plot war against the tribal threat (9:1). These ethnic groups live in the hill country, in the western foothills (Shephelah), and along the coast of the Mediterranean, or Great Sea, as far north as Lebanon. The narrator tells readers that the nations in Canaan came together to make war against Joshua and Israel (9:2).”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 61.
“The biblical narrator wants the reader to know that this ruse tricked the Israelites but not their God. Had they inquired of God, they would have learned of the deceit that targeted them (9:14).”
Lyles, Ron, et al. Joshua and Judges. 1st ed, Baptistway Press, 2005. p. 53.
“This chapter tells how the people of Gibeon, a city some 11 kilometers southwest of Ai, tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them. Their plan worked, and even when the Israelites discovered that they had been deceived they could not kill them; the treaty was binding, and all the Israelites could do was to subject them to the status of slavery, a condition which was still in force when the account was written.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 123.
