Joshua 9:3-9

Bible Text

[3] But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, [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 wine-skins, old and torn and bound up, [5] and old and patched shoes on their feet, and old garments on them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become moldy. [6] They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him, and to the men of Israel, We are come from a far country: now therefore make you a covenant with us. [7] The men of Israel said to the Hivites, What if you dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you? [8] They said to Joshua, We are your servants. Joshua said to them, Who are you? and from whence come you? [9] They said to him, From a very far country your servants are come because of the name of Yahweh your God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

Gibeon, Chephirah, and Kiriath-jearim were nearby Hivite towns in Canaan’s central highlands, while Gilgal was Israel’s camp near Jericho after crossing the Jordan. The Gibeonites invoked distant places such as Egypt, Lebanon, and Bashan to disguise their proximity, seeking a treaty despite Israel’s victories at Jericho and Ai.

Places in this passage

Joshua 9:3-9 mentions Ai, Ashtaroth, Bashan, Chephirah, Egypt, Gibeon, Gilgal, Great Sea, Jericho, Jordan, Kiriath-jearim, Lebanon and Shephelah.

Place data & photos: OpenBible.info (CC BY). Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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