Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. New Living Translation they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. English Standard Version they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, Berean Standard Bible acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. Berean Literal Bible and they also worked craftily, and they went and acted as envoys, and they took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins that were old and torn and mended, King James Bible They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; New King James Version they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, New American Standard Bible but they on their part acted craftily and went and took provisions for a journey, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins that were worn out, split open, and patched, NASB 1995 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, NASB 1977 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, Legacy Standard Bible So they also acted craftily and went and traveled as envoys and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, Amplified Bible they too acted craftily and cunningly, and set out and took along provisions, but took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins (leather bottles) that were worn out and split open and patched together, Berean Annotated Bible acted deceptively and set out as envoys (set out with provisions), carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. Christian Standard Bible they acted deceptively. They gathered provisions and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys and old wineskins, cracked and mended. Holman Christian Standard Bible they acted deceptively. They gathered provisions and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys and old wineskins, cracked and mended. American Standard Version they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and bound up, Contemporary English Version So they decided that some of their men should pretend to be messengers to Israel from a faraway country. The men put worn-out bags on their donkeys and found some old wineskins that had cracked and had been sewn back together. English Revised Version they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wineskins, old and rent and bound up; GOD'S WORD® Translation they devised a scheme. They posed as messengers. They took worn-out sacks on their donkeys. Their wineskins were old, split, and patched. Good News Translation and they decided to deceive him. They went and got some food and loaded their donkeys with worn-out sacks and patched-up wineskins. International Standard Version they took the initiative by preparing their provisions shrewdly: they took tattered sacks for their donkeys, worn-out, torn, and mended wineskins, NET Bible they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched. New Heart English Bible they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn and bound up, Webster's Bible Translation They did work craftily, and went and made as if they had been embassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleacted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. World English Bible they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they work, even they, with subtlety, and go, and feign to be ambassadors, and take old sacks for their donkeys, and wine-bottles, old, and split, and bound up, Berean Literal Bible and they also worked craftily, and they went and acted as envoys, and they took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins that were old and torn and mended, Young's Literal Translation and they work, even they, with subtilty, and go, and feign to be ambassadors, and take old sacks for their asses, and wine-bottles, old, and rent, and bound up, Smith's Literal Translation And they will do in guile, and will go and will lay snares, and will take sacking worn out, for their asses, and leather sacks of wine worn out, and being rent and bound up; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCunningly devising took for themselves provisions, laying old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles rent and sewed up again, Catholic Public Domain Version planning cleverly, took for themselves provisions, placing old sacks upon their donkeys, and wineskins that had torn and been sewed up, New American Bible formed their own scheme. They chose provisions for a journey, making use of old sacks for their donkeys, and old wineskins, torn and mended. New Revised Standard Version they on their part acted with cunning: they went and prepared provisions, and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey worked subtly, and prepared provisions, and laid old sacks upon their asses, and wine skins, old, torn, and patched; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they also worked with subtlety and they went, they traveled as Ambassadors and they cast old sackcloth on their donkeys and wineskins of wine that were worn out and torn and sewn up OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine skins, worn and rent and patched up; Brenton Septuagint Translation And they also wrought craftily, and they went and made provision and prepared themselves; and having taken old sacks on their shoulders, and old and rent and patched bottles of wine, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Deceit of the Gibeonites…3But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.… Cross References acted deceptively Genesis 27:35 But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” Psalm 52:2-4 Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. 2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. and set out as envoys, 2 Chronicles 35:21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” Ezekiel 17:15 But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ 2 Chronicles 32:31 And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart. carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks Genesis 42:26-27 and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed. / At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack. Genesis 44:1-2 Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack. / Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed. Genesis 43:21-23 But when we came to the place we lodged for the night, we opened our sacks and, behold, each of us found his silver in the mouth of his sack! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us. / We have brought additional silver with us to buy food. We do not know who put our silver in our sacks.” / “It is fine,” said the steward. “Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure that was in your sacks. I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. and old wineskins, cracked and mended. Matthew 9:17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Mark 2:22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.” Luke 5:37-38 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. / Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins. Deuteronomy 20:10-11 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. 1 Samuel 21:2 “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. 1 Kings 20:31-34 Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” / So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” / Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. … Genesis 34:13 But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully. Treasury of Scripture They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; work wilily Genesis 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 1 Kings 20:31-33 And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life… Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Psalm 119:83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. Jump to Previous Acted Acting Ambassadors Asses Bottles Bound Cord Craftily Deceit Delegation Donkeys Embassadors Envoys Journey Kept Loaded Patched Prepared Ready Rent Resorted Sacks Skins Together Torn Wine Wine-Bottles Wineskins Work Worn Worn-OutJump to Next Acted Acting Ambassadors Asses Bottles Bound Cord Craftily Deceit Delegation Donkeys Embassadors Envoys Journey Kept Loaded Patched Prepared Ready Rent Resorted Sacks Skins Together Torn Wine Wine-Bottles Wineskins Work Worn Worn-OutJoshua 9 1. The kings combine against Israel3. The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league 22. They are condemned to perpetual bondage acted deceptively The Gibeonites' deception is a key theme in this passage, highlighting the cunning and craftiness they employed to protect themselves from the Israelites. This act of deception can be seen as a reflection of the broader spiritual battle between truth and falsehood. In the biblical narrative, deception often leads to significant consequences, as seen in the story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27) and the serpent's deception of Eve (Genesis 3). The Gibeonites' actions also underscore the importance of discernment and seeking God's guidance, as Joshua and the Israelites failed to consult the Lord before making a treaty with them. and set out as envoys carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended Persons / Places / Events 1. GibeonitesA group of people from the city of Gibeon who, fearing the Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty. 2. Joshua The leader of the Israelites, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land and conquering its inhabitants. 3. Israelites The people of God, who were commanded to take possession of the Promised Land and eliminate its idolatrous inhabitants. 4. Canaan The land promised to the Israelites, inhabited by various groups, including the Gibeonites. 5. Deception The act carried out by the Gibeonites to protect themselves from destruction by the Israelites. Teaching Points Discernment in LeadershipLeaders must seek God's guidance in decision-making to avoid being deceived by appearances. Consequences of Deception Deception can lead to unintended long-term consequences, as seen in the covenant with the Gibeonites. God's Sovereignty Despite human deception, God's plans and purposes prevail, as He used the Gibeonites for His purposes. Importance of Seeking God The Israelites' failure to consult God before making a treaty with the Gibeonites serves as a reminder to seek divine guidance in all decisions. Integrity in Relationships The account encourages believers to maintain integrity and honesty in their dealings with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:4?2. How can we discern deception like the Israelites failed in Joshua 9:4? 3. What role does seeking God's guidance play in decision-making, as seen in Joshua 9? 4. How does Joshua 9:4 connect with Ephesians 6:11 about spiritual warfare? 5. What practical steps can prevent us from being deceived by appearances today? 6. How does Joshua 9:4 teach the importance of prayer before making agreements? 7. Why did the Gibeonites resort to deception in Joshua 9:4? 8. How does Joshua 9:4 reflect on the theme of discernment? 9. What does Joshua 9:4 teach about the consequences of deceit? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. How could the Israelites be so easily deceived by mere outward appearances (Joshua 9:4–5)? 12. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 13. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 14. What are Jacob's prophetic blessings for his sons? What Does Joshua 9:4 Mean Acted deceptivelyThe men of Gibeon made a conscious choice to trick Israel. Scripture presents their scheme as real history and as a moral warning: • They knew God had ordered Israel to destroy the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1–2), so their only hope was to manipulate Israel into violating that command. • Their tactic echoes earlier biblical deceptions—Jacob before Isaac (Genesis 27:35) and later, Joab before David (2 Samuel 14:2–3)—highlighting how deceit recurs whenever people resist God’s purposes. • Joshua 9:14 shows Israel’s failure was not gullibility alone but neglecting to “seek counsel from the LORD.” The verse therefore sets up the lesson: discernment comes through prayerful dependence, not human reasoning (Proverbs 3:5–6; James 1:5). Set out as envoys By posing as diplomats, the Gibeonites exploited Israel’s willingness to honor international agreements (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 20:10–15). • An “envoy” implied legitimacy and formality; once a covenant was sworn in the LORD’s name, Israel would feel bound (Joshua 9:19). • Satan often cloaks lies in respectable forms (2 Corinthians 11:14), so believers must test every spirit and appearance (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22). • The historical reality of ancient Near Eastern treaties underscores how easily appearances can mislead when God’s counsel is ignored. Carrying on their donkeys Donkeys were common transport, but here they serve the ruse: loaded animals make the journey look long and weary. • The detail is literal—eye-witness precision that authenticates Scripture’s reliability (cf. John 20:8). • It also pictures how deception often rides on everyday, seemingly harmless things (Joshua 7:21; Acts 5:1–3). • For Israel, visual evidence contradicted God’s explicit word about destroying local nations; the tension tests faith versus sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Worn-out sacks The Gibeonites selected battered sacks to reinforce the illusion of distance. • Outward deterioration mimicked prolonged travel, a subtle form of lying (Proverbs 12:22). • The contrast between tattered gear and Israel’s recent victories (Joshua 6–8) tempts Israel to sympathize rather than scrutinize. • Believers today face similar pressures: what looks needy may actually oppose God’s plan (Matthew 7:15; Romans 16:18). Old wineskins, cracked and mended Ancient skins became brittle when emptied and reused; these props sealed the story. • Jesus later referenced old wineskins as symbols of inflexibility (Matthew 9:17). Here they symbolize false humility—a plea for mercy masking resistance. • Cracks and patches suggest hardship, yet they hide an unrepentant heart (Psalm 78:36–37). • The scene foreshadows Israel’s repeated struggles with superficial evidence versus divine command (1 Samuel 15:19–22). summary Joshua 9:4 records a calculated, step-by-step deception: the Gibeonites, fearing destruction, masqueraded as distant travelers using worn props—donkeys, ragged sacks, and cracked wineskins—to secure a covenant with Israel. The verse underscores two timeless truths: deceit thrives when people rely on appearances, and God’s people must seek His counsel before making covenants. (4) They did work wilily.--Literally, and they also dealt with subtilty. The stratagem does not seem a very profound one, or one that would have been difficult to detect. But we may remember a fact of Israel's experience which puts it in a somewhat different light. The Israelites themselves had come from a far country, but their raiment had not "waxed old upon them," nor did "their feet swell," these forty years. Of bread they had no need, when there was manna, and God gave them water for their thirst. Of worn garments and stale provisions they had no experience, and therefore, when the Gibeonites presented themselves in this extraordinary garb and guise, it is not unnatural that they were not detected by the eyes of Israel.They . . . made as if they had been ambassadors.--The verb thus translated does not occur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. By the alteration of a letter, the Targum, LXX., and some other versions make it mean, "they gat them provision." Verse 4. - They did work wilily. Rather, and they worked - they also - with craft. The reference, no doubt, is to the confederacy of the other kings. The Gibeonites also acted upon what they had heard, but they preferred an accommodation to war. So Calvin and Rosenmuller; also Drusius. And they felt that they could only effect their purpose by craft. Other explanations are given, such as that a reference is made to Joshua's stratagem at Ai. Keil rejects both, and proposes an explanation of his own, which is unintelligible. Origen's interpretation here is interesting as a specimen of the theology of the third century. He regards the Gibeonites as the type of men who, though they are enrolled in the Church as believers and have faith in God, and acquiesce in all the Divine precepts, and are ready enough to take part in all the external duties of religion, are yet involved in vices and foulnesses, like the Gibeonites in their old garments and clouted shoes. They display no signs of improvement or alteration, yet Jesus our Lord concedes to them salvation, even though that salvation does not escape a certain stigma of disgrace. That there may be some persons in a condition somewhat resembling this described by Origen may be admitted, but it is difficult to see how any one in a state of salvation can display no signs of improvement whatever. There are many who do not improve as they might, whom we should yet hesitate to pronounce altogether reprobate from God. But surely the entire absence of all improvement is a manifest sign of reprobation. This passage is one of many among the voluminous works of Origen in which that holy and learned man has not sufficiently weighed what he was saying (see below, ver. 23). Made as if they had been ambassadors. "Sent an embassy" (Luther). If we take this reading, we must suppose, with Grotius and others, the word to be the Hithpahel of צִיר to go, to revolve. But the form is rare, and the word is elsewhere unknown, at least in Hebrew, though an Arabic form of it is found. It is therefore better to read יֹצְטַיָּדוּ "they prepared themselves provisions." This is the reading of the LXX., the Vulgate, the Chaldee, the Syriac, and of most modern editors. It is rendered still more probable by the occurrence of the same word in ver. 12. Old sacks. Rather, worn out, and so throughout the passage. The usual mode of conveyance still in the East is in sackcloth bags on the backs of horses, mules, camels, and asses. Such bags are apt to meet with rough usage in a long journey. Wine bottles. Rather, wine skins, the wine then being kept in skins, not in vessels of glass. This explains how they could be burst open (מְבֻקָּעִים) and tied up. These skins were hung up frequently in the smoke (Psalm 119:83), which gave them a shrivelled appearance. The first bottles were made of such skins, as Herodotus tells us. The Egyptian monuments confirm his statements, displaying as they do skins of animals so used, with the legs or the neck forming what we still term the "neck" of the bottle (cf. Homer, Iliad, 4:247, ἀσκῷ ἐν αἰγείῳ). Similar bottles are depicted on the walls of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and the like may be seen still in Italian villages. They were pitched over at the seams to prevent leakage (cf. Job 32:19; Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, 38. See also Kitto's 'Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature '). Bound up. The usual mode of mending in the East, except when a patch is inserted, is to tie or sew up the hole.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew acted deceptivelyוַיַּעֲשׂ֤וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make and set out וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk as envoys, וַיִּצְטַיָּ֑רוּ (way·yiṣ·ṭay·yā·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6737: To make an errand, betake oneself carrying וַיִּקְח֞וּ (way·yiq·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take on their donkeys לַחֲמ֣וֹרֵיהֶ֔ם (la·ḥă·mō·w·rê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 2543: A male ass worn-out בָּלִים֙ (bā·lîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1087: Worn out sacks שַׂקִּ֤ים (śaq·qîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag and old בָּלִ֔ים (bā·lîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1087: Worn out wineskins, וְנֹאד֥וֹת (wə·nō·ḏō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4997: A skin bottle, skin cracked וּמְבֻקָּעִ֖ים (ū·mə·ḇuq·qā·‘îm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1234: To cleave, to rend, break, rip, open and mended. וּמְצֹרָרִֽים׃ (ū·mə·ṣō·rā·rîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6887: To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped Links Joshua 9:4 NIVJoshua 9:4 NLT Joshua 9:4 ESV Joshua 9:4 NASB Joshua 9:4 KJV Joshua 9:4 BibleApps.com Joshua 9:4 Biblia Paralela Joshua 9:4 Chinese Bible Joshua 9:4 French Bible Joshua 9:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 9:4 They also resorted to a ruse (Josh. 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