Joshua 9:19 Meaning and Explanation
“But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders insist the oath sworn before God cannot be broken.
What Does Joshua 9:19 Mean?
The princes answer the murmuring people firmly. Because they have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel, they declare, we may not touch them. The leaders refuse to let the people's anger override the sanctity of the vow they made.
Their reasoning is striking: the oath binds them precisely because it was sworn in God's name, not the Gibeonites'. To break it would be to profane that name, whatever the provocation. The verse holds up the leaders' conviction that a promise made before God is a sacred trust, and that faithfulness is measured most truly when keeping one's word is hardest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:19
What does Joshua 9:19 mean?
The leaders insist the oath sworn before God cannot be broken.