Joshua 9:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel spares the Gibeonites because of the oath, though the people complain.
What Does Joshua 9:18 Mean?
Though the deception is now plain, Israel does not strike the Gibeonites down, because the princes had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. The oath, taken in God's name, restrains their hand. Meanwhile the congregation murmurs, frustrated at being bound by a treaty obtained through a lie.
Here the chapter's great theme comes into focus. An oath sworn in the name of the Lord is not voided by the dishonesty of the other party. Israel's leaders choose to honor their word even when it costs them, modeling a reverence for God's name that outweighs the grievance of the moment.
Joshua 9:18 in the Original Language
lun (לוּן), 'to murmur' -- to grumble in discontent against those in authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:18
What does Joshua 9:18 mean?
Israel spares the Gibeonites because of the oath, though the people complain.