Joshua 9:18

Translations

Modern

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.

Traditional

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

Literal

The sons of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by YHWH, God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

Latin

Et non percusserunt eos, eo quod jurassent eis principes multitudinis in nomine Domini Dei Israël. Murmuravit itaque omne vulgus contra principes.

Original

Hebrew

English

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.

Notes

Joshua 9:18–21

Israel could not violate this treaty, even though the Gibeonites tricked them into making it. Violating a covenant sworn by an oath before the Lord would have shown a lack of respect for God's name and honor (compare Genesis 27:30–38).

Joshua 9:1–27

Joshua failed to consult God again (9:14; compare 7:2–4). This time it was about an unexpected request. Other ancient Near Eastern stories only describe a leader’s successes. However, this author also noted the mistakes of Joshua and Israel’s elders. God is the true hero of the story, and the author wanted to emphasize God's achievements.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua God’s Covenants

Events

War with Canaanites

Related verses

Psalm 15:4
…who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
Ecclesiastes 9:2
It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow.
Ecclesiastes 5:6
Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Alliance Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Jerusalem Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Samuel, Books of First and Second Tribe of Dan

Topics

Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of Covenant: Binding Covenant: Sacred Covenants: The Jews: Regarded, As Sacred Gibeonites: Israel: Spared on Account of Their Oath Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Treaty with the Gibeonites Kirjath-Jearim: Inhabitants of Magnanimity: Joshua and the Elders of Israel to the Gibeonites Who had Deceived the Israelites Oath: The Israelites Confirm the Covenant with the Hivites Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Treaty: Sacredness of

Joshua 9:18

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