Joshua 9:7 - The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you live among us? How could we make a covenant with you?”
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What does "Joshua 9:7" mean?
This verse from Joshua 9:7 highlights the predicament the Israelites faced when the Gibeonites deceived them into making a covenant. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"The men of Israel said to the Hivites...": The Israelites, led by Joshua, have encountered representatives from a group they believe to be from a far-off land. In reality, these are the Gibeonites, who live very close by.
"What if you live among us?": This is the core of the problem. God had commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan, including the Hivites, who lived within their borders. This commandment was intended to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the Canaanites' idolatrous practices. The Israelites are wary because if these people are their neighbors, they are forbidden from making any treaties with them.
"How could we make a covenant with you?": The question reveals the conflict between the Israelites' understanding of God's command and the situation they are in. If these people are living within the promised land, the Israelites are forbidden from making any covenants (treaties, agreements) with them.
In Essence:
The verse showcases the Israelites' dilemma. They are unsure if the people they are speaking to are their immediate neighbors (who should be destroyed) or foreigners (with whom they could potentially make a treaty). This is why they challenge the Hivites about the possibility of living near them and then asking how they could make a covenant. The verse also highlights the deceptive nature of the Gibeonites, who are intentionally misleading the Israelites.
Joshua 9:7 - The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you live among us? How could we make a covenant with you?”
What does "Joshua 9:7" mean?
This verse from Joshua 9:7 highlights the predicament the Israelites faced when the Gibeonites deceived them into making a covenant. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"The men of Israel said to the Hivites...": The Israelites, led by Joshua, have encountered representatives from a group they believe to be from a far-off land. In reality, these are the Gibeonites, who live very close by.
"What if you live among us?": This is the core of the problem. God had commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan, including the Hivites, who lived within their borders. This commandment was intended to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the Canaanites' idolatrous practices. The Israelites are wary because if these people are their neighbors, they are forbidden from making any treaties with them.
"How could we make a covenant with you?": The question reveals the conflict between the Israelites' understanding of God's command and the situation they are in. If these people are living within the promised land, the Israelites are forbidden from making any covenants (treaties, agreements) with them.
In Essence:
The verse showcases the Israelites' dilemma. They are unsure if the people they are speaking to are their immediate neighbors (who should be destroyed) or foreigners (with whom they could potentially make a treaty). This is why they challenge the Hivites about the possibility of living near them and then asking how they could make a covenant. The verse also highlights the deceptive nature of the Gibeonites, who are intentionally misleading the Israelites.