Joshua 9
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And it came to pass, when all the kings - heard thereof - From this account it appears that the capture and destruction of Jericho and Ai had been heard of to the remotest parts of the land, that a general fear of the Israelitish arms prevailed, and that the different dynasties or petty governments into which the land was divided, felt all their interests at stake, and determined to make the defense of their country a common cause. This was the most prudent step they could take in their circumstances, and therefore they entered into a confederation in order to arrest the progress of the Israelites. The Great Sea mentioned here is the Mediterranean Sea, the coasts of which were inhabited by the Phoenicians, Syrians, Sidonians, and Philistines. It is very likely that all these united with the Canaanites for their common safety.
Open source ↗THE KINGS COMBINE AGAINST ISRAEL. (Jos. 9:1-27) all the kings which were on this side--that is, the western side of Jordan. in the hills, and in ther valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea--This threefold distinction marks out very clearly a large portion of Canaan. The first designates the hill country, which belonged afterwards to the tribes of Judah and Ephraim: the second, all the low country from Carmel to Gaza; and the third, the shores of the Mediterranean, from the Isthmus of Tyre to the plain of Joppa. (As for the tribes mentioned, see on Num 13:29). heard thereof--that is, of the sacking of Jericho and Ai, as well as the rapid advance of the Israelites into the interior of the country.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan,.... On the side Israel now were, and was that in which the land of Canaan lay, and was now governed by many kings, and all that were now remaining, even all but the kings of Jericho and Ai, who were slain: both those in the hills, and in the valleys; that dwelt in the mountainous part of the country, and in the plains of it: and in all the coasts of the great sea, over against Lebanon; who inhabited and governed in that part of the country which lay on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, the country of Phoenicia, in which were Tyre, Sidon, and other cities, and were over against Mount Lebanon, which was on the northern part of the country; according to the Latin version, they dwelt near Lebanon; and according to the Septuagint, near Antilibanus. It seems best, with Noldius (g), to render the words, "even unto Lebanon", for it designs all the sea coasts reaching to it; for all the maritime coasts did not lie over against it: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; what they heard is not said, but to be understood; particularly they heard what had been done by Joshua, and the people of Israel, to Jericho and Ai: and their kings, Jos 9:3. Some think, as Abarbinel, that they had heard of the altar Joshua had made, and of the stones he had set up, and of his reading the law to the people, by which they were to be governed; all which they understood as taking possession of the country, and looking upon it as conquered, and obliging his people to swear fealty to him. All the nations of Canaan are mentioned but the Gergasites; which, according to the Jewish writers, are omitted, because they were but few; the Septuagint version has them in som…
Open source ↗Jos 9:1, Jos 9:2 form the introduction to chs. 9-11, and correspond to the introduction in Jos 5:1. The news of the miraculous passage of the Israelites through the Jordan had thrown all the kings of Canaan into such despair, that they did not venture to make any attack upon Israel. But they gradually recovered from their first panic, partly, no doubt, in consequence of the failure of the first attack of the Israelites upon Ai, and resolved to join together in making war upon the foreign invaders. The kings of Canaan did this when they heard, sc., what Israel had hitherto undertaken and accomplished, not merely "what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai" (Knobel): that is to say, all the kings across the Jordan, i.e., in the country to the west of the Jordan (היּרדּן עבר, as in Jos 5:1), viz., "upon the mountains" (not only the mountains of Judah, as in Jos 10:40; Jos 11:16, etc., but all the mountains which run throughout the whole length of Canaan, as in Deu 1:7 and Num 13:17 : see the explanation of the latter passage); "in the lowlands" (shephelah, the low-lying country between the mountains and the sea-coast, which is simply intersected by small ranges of hills; see at Deu 1:7); "and on all the coast of the Great Sea towards Lebanon," i.e., the narrow coast of the Mediterranean Sea from Joppa up to the Ladder of Tyre (see at Deu 1:7). The different tribes of the Canaanites are also mentioned by name, as in Jos 3:10, except that the Girgashites are omitted. These gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one mouth, or with one accord (Kg1 22:13).
Open source ↗Hitherto the Canaanites had acted defensively; the Israelites were the aggressors upon Jericho and Ai. But here the kings of Canaan are in consultation to attack Israel, and concert matters for a vigorous effort of their united forces to check the progress of their victorious arms. Now, 1. It was strange they did not do this sooner. They had notice long since of their approach; Israel's design upon Canaan was no secret; one would have expected that a prudent concern for their common safety would put them upon taking some measures to oppose their coming over Jordan, and maintain that pass against them, or to give them a warm reception as soon as they were over. It was strange they did not attempt to raise the siege of Jericho, or at least fall in with the men of Ai, when they had given them a defeat. But they were, either through presumption or despair, wonderfully infatuated and at their wits' end. Many know not the things that belong to their peace till they are hidden from their eyes. 2. It was more strange that they did it now. Now that the conquest of Jericho had given such a pregnant proof of God's power, and that of Ai of Israel's policy, one would have thought the end of their consultation should be, not to fight with Israel, but to make peace with them, and to gain the best terms they could for themselves. This would have been their wisdom (Luk 14:32), but their minds were blinded, and their hearts hardened to their destruction. Observe, (1.) What induced them now at last to enter upon this consultation. When they heard thereof (Jos 9:1), not only of the conquest of Jericho and Ai, but of the convention of the states of Mount Ebal, of which we have an account immediately before, - when they heard that Joshua, as if he thought himself already completely master of…
Open source ↗9:1-27 Joshua once again failed to consult God (9:14; cp. 7:2-4), this time over an unexpected request. Other ancient Near Eastern accounts tell only of a leader’s triumphs; this author also recorded the shortcomings of Joshua and Israel’s elders. The real hero of the story is God, whose accomplishments the author wished to tell. 9:1 Hittites . . . Jebusites: See study note on 3:10. • The fertile region of lower hills between the highlands of Judah and the southern coastal plain was known as the western foothills. • Although not all of the coastal plain of the Mediterranean Sea was occupied during this period, several important cities did exist. The kings of those small city-states, as far north as Mount Carmel, joined the southern coalition to resist Israel’s advances.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שְׁפֵלָה (shᵉphêlâh, H8219) — Lowland, i.e. (with the article) the maritime slope of Palestine חוֹף (chôwph, H2348) — a cove (as a sheltered bay) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… פְּרִזִּי (Pᵉrizzîy, H6522) — a Perizzite, one of the Canaanitish tribes
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גִּבְעוֹן (Gibʻôwn, H1391) — Gibon, a place in Palestine שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine עַי (ʻAy, H5857) — Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עׇרְמָה (ʻormâh, H6195) — trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) צָיַר (tsâyar, H6737) — to make an errand, i.e. betake oneself לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בָּלֶה (bâleh, H1087) — worn out שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication נֹאד (nôʼd, H4997) — a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids) בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
Open source ↗בָּלֶה (bâleh, H1087) — worn out נַעַל (naʻal, H5275) — properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of… טָלָא (ṭâlâʼ, H2921) — properly, to cover with pieces; i.e. (by implication) to spot or variegate (as tapestry) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) צַיִד (tsayid, H6718) — the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… נִקֻּד (niqqud, H5350) — a crumb (as broken to spots); also a biscuit (as pricked)
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… גִּלְגָּל (Gilgâl, H1537) — Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חִוִּי (Chivvîy, H2340) — a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine אוּלַי (ʼûwlay, H194) — if not; hence perhaps יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אַיִן (ʼayin, H370) — where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שֹׁמַע (shômaʻ, H8089) — a report עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (ʻAshtârôwth, H6252) — Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) צֵידָה (tsêydâh, H6720) — food יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) חָם (châm, H2525) — hot צוּד (tsûwd, H6679) — to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… נִקֻּד (niqqud, H5350) — a crumb (as broken to spots); also a biscuit (as pricked)
Open source ↗נֹאד (nôʼd, H4997) — a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress נַעַל (naʻal, H5275) — properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of… בָּלָה (bâlâh, H1086) — to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) צַיִד (tsayid, H6718) — the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west.
And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’
For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.
He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.
Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.
See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea.
(To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them,
After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand.