Joshua 10:6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us."

◄ Joshua 10:6 ►

New International Version
The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.”

New Living Translation
The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal. “Don’t abandon your servants now!” they pleaded. “Come at once! Save us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.”

English Standard Version
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.”

King James Bible
And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

New King James Version
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.”

NASB 1995
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.”

NASB 1977
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your slaves; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.”

Amplified Bible
So the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all [five of] the kings of the Amorites who live in the hill country have assembled against us.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Don’t give up on your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, for all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Don’t abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, for all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us.”

American Standard Version
And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill-country are gathered together against us.

Contemporary English Version
the Gibeonites sent a message to the Israelite camp at Gilgal: "Joshua, please come and rescue us! The Amorite kings from the hill country have joined together and are attacking us. We are your servants, so don't let us down. Please hurry!"

English Revised Version
And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country are gathered together against us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men of Gibeon sent this message to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal: "Don't abandon us! Come quickly, and save us. Help us because all the Amorite kings who live in the mountains have united against us."

Good News Translation
The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal: "Do not abandon us, sir! Come at once and help us! Save us! All the Amorite kings in the hill country have joined forces and have attacked us!"

International Standard Version
The Gibeonites sent word to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal: "Don't abandon your servants. Come quickly, save us, and help us, because all of the kings of the Amorites who live in the hill country have attacked us."

Majority Standard Bible
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.”

NET Bible
The men of Gibeon sent this message to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, "Do not abandon your subjects! Rescue us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings living in the hill country are attacking us."

New Heart English Bible
The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, "Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains, are assembled against us.

World English Bible
The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Don’t abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us; for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the men of Gibeon send to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not let your hand cease from your servants; come up to us [with] haste, and give safety to us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorite, dwelling in the hill-country, have been assembled against us.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Gibeon send unto Joshua, unto the camp at Gilgal, saying, 'Let not thy hand cease from thy servants; come up unto us with haste, and give safety to us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorite, dwelling in the hill-country, have been assembled against us.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of Gibeon will send to Joshua to the camp of Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hands from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us and help us; for all the kings of the Amorites inhabiting the mountain gathered themselves together against us.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the inhabitants of the city of Gabaon which was besieged, sent to Josue, who then abode in the camp at Galgal, and said to him: Withdraw not thy hands from helping thy servants: come up quickly and save us, and bring us succour: for all the kings of the Amorrhites, who dwell in the mountains, are gathered together against us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the inhabitants of the city of Gibeon, when it was besieged, sent to Joshua, who was then staying in the camp at Gilgal. And they said to him: “May you not draw back your hands from helping your servants. Come quickly, and free us, and bring troops. For all the kings of the Amorites, who live in the mountains, have gathered together against us.”

New American Bible
Thereupon, the Gibeonites sent an appeal to Joshua in his camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up here quickly and save us. Help us, because all the Amorite kings of the mountain country have joined together against us.”

New Revised Standard Version
And the Gibeonites sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorites who live in the hill country are gathered against us.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, saying, Do not withhold your hands from your servants; because all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Gebuun sent to Yeshua, to the encampment at Galgala, and they said to him: “Do not relax your hands from your Servants because all the Kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains are gathered against us”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying: 'Slack not thy hands from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill-country are gathered together against us.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the inhabitants of Gabaon sent to Joshua into the camp to Galgala, saying, Slack not thy hands from thy servants: come up quickly to us, and help us, and rescue us; for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered together against us.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Day the Sun Stood Still
…5So the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces and advanced with all their armies. They camped before Gibeon and made war against it. 6Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.” 7So Joshua and his whole army, including all the mighty men of valor, came from Gilgal.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 1:29-30
So I said to you: “Do not be terrified or afraid of them! / The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt

Judges 1:1-2
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?” / “Judah shall go up,” answered the LORD. “Indeed, I have delivered the land into their hands.”

1 Samuel 7:8
and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 12:10-11
Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

2 Samuel 10:11-12
“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. / Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

2 Chronicles 20:12
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Nehemiah 4:20
Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13-14
For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you. / Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 49:25
Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Treasury of Scripture

And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not your hand from your servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

to the camp

Joshua 5:10
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

Joshua 9:6
And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.

Slack

2 Kings 4:24
Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

from thy

Joshua 9:15,24,25
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them…

Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

mountains

Joshua 21:11
And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.

Deuteronomy 1:15
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.

Psalm 125:2
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

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Joshua 10

1. Five kings war against Gibeon
6. Joshua rescues it
10. God fights against them with hailstones
12. The sun and moon stand still at the word of Joshua
16. The five kings are murdered in a cave
22. They are brought forth
24. scornfully used
26. and hanged
28. Seven kings more are conquered
43. Joshua returns to Gilgal

Berean Study Bible

Then the men of Gibeon
The Gibeonites were a group of Hivites who lived in the land of Canaan. Historically, they had deceived Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9). Despite their deception, the Israelites honored their covenant, which reflects the importance of keeping one's word, a principle deeply rooted in the Hebrew culture and law.

sent word to Joshua
This phrase indicates the urgency and desperation of the Gibeonites. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sending a message was a formal act, often involving a messenger who would travel swiftly to deliver the plea. The act of sending word to Joshua signifies the Gibeonites' recognition of Joshua's leadership and the power of the God of Israel.

in the camp at Gilgal
Gilgal was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It served as a base of operations for their military campaigns. Archaeologically, Gilgal is significant as it represents the initial foothold of the Israelites in Canaan, symbolizing the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

Do not abandon your servants
The Gibeonites refer to themselves as "servants," acknowledging their subordinate position due to the treaty with Israel. This plea highlights the covenantal relationship, where the stronger party (Israel) is expected to protect the weaker (Gibeonites). Theologically, it reflects the biblical theme of God’s faithfulness and protection over those who seek refuge under His covenant.

Come up to us quickly and save us!
The urgency in this plea is palpable. The phrase "come up" is geographically accurate, as Gibeon was located in the hill country, requiring an ascent from the Jordan Valley. The call for salvation echoes the broader biblical narrative of God as a deliverer, a theme that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Help us, for all the Amorite kings
The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes. Historically, they were known for their fortified cities and military prowess. The coalition of Amorite kings against Gibeon underscores the threat faced by the Gibeonites and the strategic importance of their alliance with Israel. This coalition also sets the stage for God’s miraculous intervention in the battle that follows.

living in the hill country
The hill country of Canaan was a region of strategic military importance, characterized by its rugged terrain and fortified cities. This geographical detail emphasizes the formidable nature of the enemy alliance and the challenge that lay ahead for Joshua and the Israelites.

have joined forces against us
The unification of the Amorite kings against Gibeon illustrates the common practice of forming coalitions in ancient warfare. This alliance against a common enemy highlights the political dynamics of the region and sets the stage for the divine intervention that would demonstrate God’s power and faithfulness to Israel. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face and the assurance of God’s support in times of adversity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) The Amorites that dwell in the mountains--i.e., in the mountainous district lying on the south of Jerusalem.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - To Gilgal. See note on Joshua 9:6. That dwell in the mountains. Another life like touch. The details of the confederacy were not fully known to the Gibeonites. There had not been time for that. It was only known that the storm was to break on them from the mountain region, Jerusalem (ver. 4) being the head quarters of the expedition. As a matter of fact, the kings who formed the confederacy principally inhabited the lowlands, as we have seen. No one could have hit upon this apparent contradiction yet real agreement but one whose narrative was compiled from authentic sources.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then the men
אַנְשֵׁי֩ (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Gibeon
גִבְע֨וֹן (ḡiḇ·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1391: Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin

sent
וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ (way·yiš·lə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

word to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

in
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the camp
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ (ham·ma·ḥă·neh)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

at Gilgal:
הַגִּלְגָּ֣לָה (hag·gil·gā·lāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1537: Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in Palestine

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

abandon
תֶּ֥רֶף (te·rep̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

your servants.
מֵֽעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ (mê·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

Come
עֲלֵ֧ה (‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

quickly
מְהֵרָ֗ה (mə·hê·rāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly

and save us!
וְהוֹשִׁ֤יעָה (wə·hō·wō·šî·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

Help us,
וְעָזְרֵ֔נוּ (wə·‘ā·zə·rê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid

because
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the kings
מַלְכֵ֥י (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the Amorites
הָאֱמֹרִ֖י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe

from
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

the hill country
הָהָֽר׃ (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

have joined forces
נִקְבְּצ֣וּ (niq·bə·ṣū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

against us.”
אֵלֵ֣ינוּ (’ê·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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OT History: Joshua 10:6 The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua (Josh. Jos)