Joshua 9:3
New International Version
However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

New Living Translation
But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

English Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

Berean Standard Bible
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

King James Bible
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

New King James Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

New American Standard Bible
The inhabitants of Gibeon also heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

NASB 1995
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

NASB 1977
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai.

Amplified Bible
But when the people of Gibeon [the Hivites] heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

Christian Standard Bible
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

American Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

Contemporary English Version
The people of Gibeon had also heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai.

English Revised Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the people living in Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

Good News Translation
But the people of Gibeon, who were Hivites, heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

International Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

Majority Standard Bible
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

NET Bible
When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai,

New Heart English Bible
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

World English Bible
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the inhabitants of Gibeon have heard that which Joshua has done to Jericho and to Ai,

Young's Literal Translation
And the inhabitants of Gibeon have heard that which Joshua hath done to Jericho and to Ai,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and to Ai.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they that dwelt in Gabaon, hearing all that Josue had done to Jericho and Hai:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But those who were living in Gibeon, hearing all that Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

New American Bible
On hearing what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, the inhabitants of Gibeon

New Revised Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the inhabitants of Gebuun heard the thing that Yeshua did to Ai and to Yerikho
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the inhabitants of Gabaon heard of all that the Lord did to Jericho and Gai.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Deceit of the Gibeonites
2they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. 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.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 20:10-15
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.”

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.

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.)

1 Kings 9:20-21
As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

Judges 2:2-3
and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”

2 Chronicles 8:7-8
As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

Nehemiah 9:24-25
So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished. / They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.

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 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.

Romans 16:18-19
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. / Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

Gibeon

Joshua 9:17
And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

Joshua 10:2
That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

2 Samuel 21:1,2
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites…

Jericho

Joshua 6:1-27
Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in…

Joshua 8:1-35
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: …

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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














But the people of Gibeon
The Gibeonites were a group of Hivites, one of the Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land promised to Israel. Gibeon was a significant city, described as a great city, like one of the royal cities, and greater than Ai (Joshua 10:2). Archaeological evidence suggests that Gibeon was a well-fortified city with a strategic location, which would have made it a valuable ally or a formidable enemy. The Gibeonites' decision to seek peace with Israel reflects their awareness of the Israelites' divine mandate to conquer Canaan.

having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai
The news of Israel's victories at Jericho and Ai spread quickly throughout Canaan, instilling fear among the inhabitants. Jericho's fall was miraculous, with its walls collapsing after the Israelites marched around them for seven days (Joshua 6). Ai, on the other hand, was initially a site of defeat due to Achan's sin but was later conquered through strategic military tactics (Joshua 7-8). The Gibeonites' response to these events indicates their recognition of the power of Israel's God, who was fighting for them. This acknowledgment of divine intervention is a recurring theme in the conquest narratives, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai
Joshua, as the leader of Israel, was instrumental in executing God's commands for the conquest of Canaan. His actions at Jericho and Ai demonstrated both divine guidance and human obedience. The destruction of these cities served as a warning to other Canaanite nations about the fate awaiting those who opposed Israel. The Gibeonites' decision to seek a treaty with Israel can be seen as a pragmatic move to avoid destruction, contrasting with the resistance of other Canaanite kings. This phrase also highlights the role of Joshua as a type of Christ, leading his people to victory and securing their inheritance, much like Jesus leads believers to spiritual victory and eternal life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gibeon
A significant Canaanite city-state known for its strategic location and later integration into Israel. The Gibeonites were Hivites, a group of people living in the land of Canaan.

2. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land and conquering it as God commanded.

3. Jericho
The first city conquered by the Israelites in the Promised Land, known for its miraculous fall after the Israelites marched around its walls.

4. Ai
The second city conquered by the Israelites, following an initial defeat due to Achan's sin, but later taken through strategic military tactics.

5. The Gibeonite Deception
The event where the Gibeonites, fearing for their lives, deceived Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land.
Teaching Points
Discernment in Leadership
Joshua's failure to seek God's counsel before making a treaty with the Gibeonites serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making.

The Power of Reputation
The Gibeonites acted out of fear because of the reputation of Israel's God and His mighty acts. Our lives should reflect God's power and holiness, impacting those around us.

The Consequences of Deception
The Gibeonites' deception led to a lasting servitude, illustrating that deceit, even when seemingly beneficial, can have long-term consequences.

The Importance of Keeping Promises
Despite being deceived, the Israelites honored their treaty with the Gibeonites, teaching us the value of integrity and faithfulness to our commitments.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite human errors and deception, God's purposes prevailed, showing His ability to work through imperfect situations for His glory.THE GIBEONITES MAKE PEACE WITH JOSHUA (Joshua 9:3-27).

(3) The inhabitants of Gibeon.--Hivites, as appears by Joshua 9:7. Gibeon was one member of a tetrapolis, or community of four cities, as is seen in Joshua 9:17. Their deception of Joshua and the Israelites on this occasion is a curious compensation for what was done by Simeon and Levi to the Hivites long before, when Jacob first came to Shechem from Padan-Aram (see Genesis 34). On that occasion, the inhabitants of a single city of the Hivites were put to the sword by Israel, by means of a stratagem; on this occasion, a stratagem saved four Hivite cities from destruction by Israel's sword.

Verse 3. - The inhabitants of Gibeon. That is, of a confederation of cities (see ver. 17), of which Gibeon was the head. Gibeon was a city of some importance (Joshua 10:2). Though it was for size and importance "as one of the royal cities," we hear nothing of a king there. Hengstenberg, in his history, describes it (p. 227) as "eine freie Stadt," with daughter cities dependent on it. In fact, the Phoenician cities (see Introduction) seem to have had as great a variety of constitution as those of ancient Greece. Its inhabitants were Hivites (ver. 7, and Joshua 11:19). Its name (compare Gibeah and גִבְעָה a hill) signifies hill city, like the termination dunum in Latin, as Lugdunum, or Lyons; dune in Anglo-Saxon, as Ethandune. Compare also Dunkirk. Robinson, in his 'Biblical Researches,' 2:135-9, identifies it with el-Jib, a village on an eminence in the midst of a fertile plain, where the remains of large buildings may still be seen. (So Vandevelde and Condor.) "Onely the Hivites are wiser than their fellowes, and will rather yeeld and live. Their intelligence was not diverse from the rest; all had equally heard of the miraculous conduct and successe of Israel; but their resolution was diverse. As Rahab saved her family in the midst of Jericho, so these foure cities preserved themselves in the midst of Canaan; and both of them by beleeving what God would do. The efficacie of God's marvellous works is not in the acts themselves, but in our apprehension" (Bp. Hall).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the people
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֨י (wə·yō·šə·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

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

having heard
שָׁמְע֗וּ (šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

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

Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ (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

had done
עָשָׂ֧ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to Jericho
לִֽירִיח֖וֹ (lî·rî·ḥōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3405: Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshua

and Ai,
וְלָעָֽי׃ (wə·lā·‘āy)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city


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OT History: Joshua 9:3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard (Josh. Jos)
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