Joshua 9:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel inspects the provisions but fails to seek the Lord's guidance.
What Does Joshua 9:14 Mean?
This short verse names the heart of the failure. The men examine the Gibeonites' provisions, weighing the visible evidence, but they asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. They consulted the bread and the wineskins; they did not consult God.
Here is the chapter's quiet lesson, stated almost in passing. Israel had the means to seek divine direction, yet leaned on their own assessment of what lay before them. The verse speaks to every reader: the most convincing evidence is no substitute for prayer, and decisions made without inquiring of the Lord too often rest on appearances alone.
Joshua 9:14 in the Original Language
peh (פֶּה), 'mouth' -- here the LORD's mouth, His direct guidance that was not sought.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:14
What does Joshua 9:14 mean?
Israel inspects the provisions but fails to seek the Lord's guidance.