Joshua 9:4 - they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins,
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What does "Joshua 9:4" mean?
This verse from Joshua 9:4 is describing the strategy employed by the Gibeonites to deceive Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"They also resorted to a ruse": This indicates that the Gibeonites were going to use a trick or deception to achieve their goals.
"and went and made as if they had been ambassadors": They pretended to be representatives from a distant land. Ambassadors were typically treated with respect and had the right to negotiate treaties.
"and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins": This describes the elaborate props they used to create the illusion of a long journey.
Old sacks on their donkeys: The sacks, meant to carry provisions or goods, were old and worn, implying they had traveled a long distance.
Old, torn-up, and bound-up wine skins: Wine was often transported in animal skins. The fact that these skins were old, torn, and patched up further emphasized their supposed arduous journey. The patched-up skins also implied they were from a place where resources were scarce.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Gibeonites used a cunning plan of deception to make it look like they had traveled a very long distance to reach the Israelites. By presenting themselves as weary travelers with worn-out provisions, they hoped to convince Joshua that they were not from the land of Canaan (which Joshua was commanded to conquer), but from a far-off region, and thus should be allowed to form a treaty with Israel.
The verse highlights the Gibeonites' cleverness and the lengths they went to in order to avoid being destroyed by the Israelites. It also sets the stage for the consequences of Joshua's decision to trust them without properly consulting God.
Joshua 9:4 - they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins,
What does "Joshua 9:4" mean?
This verse from Joshua 9:4 is describing the strategy employed by the Gibeonites to deceive Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"They also resorted to a ruse": This indicates that the Gibeonites were going to use a trick or deception to achieve their goals.
"and went and made as if they had been ambassadors": They pretended to be representatives from a distant land. Ambassadors were typically treated with respect and had the right to negotiate treaties.
"and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins": This describes the elaborate props they used to create the illusion of a long journey.
Old sacks on their donkeys: The sacks, meant to carry provisions or goods, were old and worn, implying they had traveled a long distance.
Old, torn-up, and bound-up wine skins: Wine was often transported in animal skins. The fact that these skins were old, torn, and patched up further emphasized their supposed arduous journey. The patched-up skins also implied they were from a place where resources were scarce.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Gibeonites used a cunning plan of deception to make it look like they had traveled a very long distance to reach the Israelites. By presenting themselves as weary travelers with worn-out provisions, they hoped to convince Joshua that they were not from the land of Canaan (which Joshua was commanded to conquer), but from a far-off region, and thus should be allowed to form a treaty with Israel.
The verse highlights the Gibeonites' cleverness and the lengths they went to in order to avoid being destroyed by the Israelites. It also sets the stage for the consequences of Joshua's decision to trust them without properly consulting God.