Joshua 9:22 - Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?
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What does "Joshua 9:22" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the Gibeonites in Joshua 9. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
Context: Joshua and the Israelites have just conquered Jericho and Ai. God had commanded them to completely destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan. The Gibeonites, fearing for their lives, cleverly deceive Joshua.
The Deception: The Gibeonites pretended to be from a distant land. They wore worn-out clothes and carried stale provisions to make it seem like they had traveled a great distance. They approached Joshua seeking a treaty of peace.
Joshua's Question: After realizing the Gibeonites lived nearby (specifically, "among us" - meaning within the promised land of Canaan that Israel was supposed to conquer), Joshua confronts them.
"Why have you deceived us...?" Joshua is expressing his anger and disappointment that the Gibeonites lied to him. They manipulated him into making a treaty he wouldn't have made had he known the truth.
"...saying, 'We are very far from you,'..." This refers to the Gibeonites' claim about their distant origin.
"...when you live among us?" This highlights the core of their deception. The Gibeonites were not from a distant land; they were Canaanites living within the territory Joshua was tasked with conquering. This made the treaty a direct violation of God's command to wipe out all Canaanite cities.
In Essence: Joshua is accusing the Gibeonites of lying about their origin to manipulate him into making a peace treaty that he would not have agreed to had he known they were his neighbors. It reveals the Gibeonites' fear and their clever plan to survive, while also showing the consequences of Israel's failure to consult God before making the treaty.
Significance:
Israel's Compromise: This story highlights how Israel made a covenant without seeking God's guidance, which led to consequences. They were stuck with the treaty, even though it was based on deceit.
Theological Implications: Some interpret the Gibeonites' salvation as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant.
Ethical Dilemma: The story raises questions about the ethics of deception, even when done for survival. It also raises question about the ethics of destroying entire people groups.
Joshua 9:22 - Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?
What does "Joshua 9:22" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the Gibeonites in Joshua 9. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
Context: Joshua and the Israelites have just conquered Jericho and Ai. God had commanded them to completely destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan. The Gibeonites, fearing for their lives, cleverly deceive Joshua.
The Deception: The Gibeonites pretended to be from a distant land. They wore worn-out clothes and carried stale provisions to make it seem like they had traveled a great distance. They approached Joshua seeking a treaty of peace.
Joshua's Question: After realizing the Gibeonites lived nearby (specifically, "among us" - meaning within the promised land of Canaan that Israel was supposed to conquer), Joshua confronts them.
"Why have you deceived us...?" Joshua is expressing his anger and disappointment that the Gibeonites lied to him. They manipulated him into making a treaty he wouldn't have made had he known the truth.
"...saying, 'We are very far from you,'..." This refers to the Gibeonites' claim about their distant origin.
"...when you live among us?" This highlights the core of their deception. The Gibeonites were not from a distant land; they were Canaanites living within the territory Joshua was tasked with conquering. This made the treaty a direct violation of God's command to wipe out all Canaanite cities.
In Essence: Joshua is accusing the Gibeonites of lying about their origin to manipulate him into making a peace treaty that he would not have agreed to had he known they were his neighbors. It reveals the Gibeonites' fear and their clever plan to survive, while also showing the consequences of Israel's failure to consult God before making the treaty.
Significance:
Israel's Compromise: This story highlights how Israel made a covenant without seeking God's guidance, which led to consequences. They were stuck with the treaty, even though it was based on deceit.
Theological Implications: Some interpret the Gibeonites' salvation as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant.
Ethical Dilemma: The story raises questions about the ethics of deception, even when done for survival. It also raises question about the ethics of destroying entire people groups.