Joshua 9:24
New International Version
They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.

New Living Translation
They replied, “We did it because we—your servants—were clearly told that the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you this entire land and to destroy all the people living in it. So we feared greatly for our lives because of you. That is why we have done this.

English Standard Version
They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing.

Berean Standard Bible
The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

King James Bible
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

New King James Version
So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the LORD your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

New American Standard Bible
So they answered Joshua and said, “Since your servants were fully informed that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing.

NASB 1995
So they answered Joshua and said, “Because it was certainly told your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

NASB 1977
So they answered Joshua and said, “Because it was certainly told your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Legacy Standard Bible
So they answered Joshua and said, “Because it was certainly told to your slaves that Yahweh your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you and have done this thing.

Amplified Bible
They replied to Joshua and said, “Because your servants were told in no uncertain terms that the LORD your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the land’s inhabitants before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and so we did this [deceptive] thing.

Christian Standard Bible
The Gibeonites answered him, “It was clearly communicated to your servants that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you. We greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Gibeonites answered him, “It was clearly communicated to your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you. We greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.

American Standard Version
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Jehovah thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Contemporary English Version
The Gibeonites answered, "The LORD your God told his servant Moses that you were to kill everyone who lives here and take their land for yourselves. We were afraid you would kill us, and so we tricked you into making a peace treaty. But we agreed to be your servants,

English Revised Version
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They answered Joshua, "We were told that the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and destroy all who live there. We deceived you because we feared for our lives.

Good News Translation
They answered, "We did it, sir, because we learned that it was really true that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to kill the people living in it as you advanced. We did it because we were terrified of you; we were in fear of our lives.

International Standard Version
They replied to Joshua, "Because your servants had been informed that the LORD your God had certainly commanded his servant Moses to give you the entire land and to destroy all of the inhabitants of the land before you. So we were terrified for our lives because of you. That's why we did this.

Majority Standard Bible
The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

NET Bible
They said to Joshua, "It was carefully reported to your subjects how the LORD your God commanded Moses his servant to assign you the whole land and to destroy all who live in the land from before you. Because of you we were terrified we would lose our lives, so we did this thing.

New Heart English Bible
They answered Joshua, and said, "Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were greatly afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

World English Bible
They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they answer Joshua and say, “Because it was certainly declared to your servants that your God YHWH commanded His servant Moses to give all the land to you, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; and we fear greatly for ourselves because of you, and we do this thing;

Young's Literal Translation
And they answer Joshua and say, 'Because it was certainly declared to thy servants, that Jehovah thy God commanded Moses His servant to give to you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; and we fear greatly for ourselves because of you, and we do this thing;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will answer Joshua, and will say, Because being announced, it was announced to thy servants that Jehovah thy God commanded Moses his servant to give to you all the land, and to destroy all inhabiting the land from before you, and we shall be greatly afraid for our souls from your face; and we shall do this word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They answered: It was told us thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives. compelled by the dread we had of you and we took this counsel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they responded: “It was reported to us, your servants, that the Lord your God had promised his servant Moses that he would give you the entire land, and that he would destroy all its inhabitants. Therefore, we were very afraid, and we made a provision for our lives, compelled by the dread of you, and we undertook this counsel.

New American Bible
They answered Joshua, “Your servants were fully informed of how the LORD, your God, commanded Moses his servant that you be given the entire land and that all its inhabitants be destroyed before you. Since, therefore, at your advance, we were in great fear for our lives, we acted as we did.

New Revised Standard Version
They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; so we were in great fear for our lives because of you, and did this thing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they answered and said to Joshua, Because it was certainly told your servants that the LORD your God commanded Moses his servant to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were exceedingly afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they answered and they said to Yeshua: “Your Servants certainly heard the thing that LORD JEHOVAH your God commanded Moshe his Servant, to give to you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and we were very afraid for our lives, and we did so
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they answered Joshua, and said: 'Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord thy God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that dwelt on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Deceit of the Gibeonites
23Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” 24The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this. 25Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 20:10-18
When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. / But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. ...

Exodus 23:32-33
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Exodus 34:12-16
Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst. / Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. / For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. ...

Numbers 33:55-56
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle. / And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”

Deuteronomy 7:1-2
When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Deuteronomy 7:16
You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

Deuteronomy 7:24
He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.

Deuteronomy 9:3
But understand that today the LORD your God goes across ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will destroy them and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them swiftly, as the LORD has promised you.

Deuteronomy 11:25
No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.

Deuteronomy 31:3-5
The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua will cross ahead of you, as the LORD has said. / And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, when He destroyed them along with their land. / The LORD will deliver them over to you, and you must do to them exactly as I have commanded you.

1 Samuel 15:18
and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’

2 Samuel 21:1-2
During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)

2 Chronicles 19:2
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

Psalm 106:34-36
They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.

Isaiah 8:12
“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.


Treasury of Scripture

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told your servants, how that the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

the Lord

Exodus 23:31-33
And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee…

Numbers 33:51,52,55,56
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; …

Deuteronomy 7:1,2,23,24
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; …

we were sore

Exodus 15:14-16
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina…

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

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Joshua 9
1. The kings combine against Israel
3. The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league
22. They are condemned to perpetual bondage














They answered Joshua
This phrase introduces the response of the Gibeonites to Joshua, the leader of Israel. The Gibeonites, a group of Hivites, are speaking directly to Joshua, acknowledging his authority. In the historical context, Joshua is the appointed leader after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Gibeonites' response is significant as it shows their recognition of Joshua's leadership and the power of the God of Israel. The Hebrew root for "answered" (עָנָה, 'anah) often implies a thoughtful or considered response, indicating that the Gibeonites have carefully planned their reply.

Your servants were clearly told
This phrase indicates that the Gibeonites had received specific instructions or information. The term "servants" reflects their position of submission and humility before Joshua and the Israelites. Historically, this reflects the common practice of vassal treaties in the ancient Near East, where lesser groups would submit to more powerful ones for protection. The phrase "clearly told" suggests that the Gibeonites were acting on direct and explicit information, which in this context, refers to their understanding of the power and actions of the Israelites and their God.

that the LORD your God
Here, the Gibeonites acknowledge the God of Israel, using the covenant name "LORD" (YHWH), which signifies the personal and relational nature of God with His people. This acknowledgment is crucial as it shows their awareness of the divine power behind Israel's success. The phrase "your God" indicates a recognition of the unique relationship between the Israelites and their God, which is a central theme throughout the Old Testament. This acknowledgment by a foreign group highlights the widespread recognition of God's power and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

had commanded His servant Moses
This phrase refers to the commands given by God to Moses, the previous leader of Israel. The Gibeonites' mention of Moses underscores the continuity of God's plan from Moses to Joshua. It also reflects their understanding of the historical and spiritual context of Israel's journey. The term "servant" (עֶבֶד, 'ebed) is significant as it denotes a position of honor and obedience, highlighting Moses' role as a faithful leader who carried out God's commands.

to give you all the land
This part of the verse refers to the divine promise of the land of Canaan to the Israelites. The phrase "all the land" emphasizes the totality of the promise, reflecting God's faithfulness and the scope of His covenant with Israel. Historically, this promise is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land. The Gibeonites' acknowledgment of this promise shows their understanding of the divine mandate behind Israel's conquest.

and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you
This phrase highlights the command given to Israel to remove the inhabitants of Canaan. The term "wipe out" (הַשְׁמִיד, hashmid) is strong, indicating complete destruction, which was part of God's judgment on the Canaanite nations due to their wickedness. This command is often challenging to understand, but from a conservative Christian perspective, it is seen as a necessary act of divine justice and a means to protect Israel from idolatry and moral corruption. The Gibeonites' awareness of this command underscores their fear and desire to align themselves with Israel for survival.

Verse 24. - The Lord thy God Commanded (see Exodus 23:32; Deuteronomy 7:1, 2). The prophecies of Moses during their sojourn in "the plains of Jordan by Jericho" (see Numbers 22. sqq.). We were sore afraid. Prophesied in Exodus 15:14.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Gibeonites answered,
וַיַּעֲנ֨וּ (way·ya·‘ă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Your servants
לַעֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

were told
הֻגַּ֤ד (hug·gaḏ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

clearly
הֻגֵּ֨ד (hug·gêḏ)
Verb - Hofal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

had commanded
צִוָּ֜ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

His servant
עַבְדּ֔וֹ (‘aḇ·dōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֣ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

to give
לָתֵ֤ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

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

the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and wipe out
וּלְהַשְׁמִ֛יד (ū·lə·haš·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

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

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

before you.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם (mip·pə·nê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

So we greatly
מְאֹ֤ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

feared
וַנִּירָ֨א (wan·nî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

for our lives
לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙ (lə·nap̄·šō·ṯê·nū)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

because of you,
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם (mip·pə·nê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

and that is why we have done
וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה (wan·na·‘ă·śêh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this.
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that


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OT History: Joshua 9:24 They answered Joshua and said Because your (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 9:23
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