Joshua 9:20 Meaning and Explanation
“This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →They resolve to let the Gibeonites live, fearing wrath if they break the oath.
What Does Joshua 9:20 Mean?
The leaders settle the matter: the Gibeonites will be allowed to live. To break the oath, they reason, would bring wrath upon them, for the vow was sworn in the name of the Lord. Reverence for that name governs their decision.
The leaders understand that an oath made before God carries a weight that cannot be cast off without consequence. They choose the harder, holier path of keeping their word. The verse teaches that the fear of the Lord shapes how His people treat their promises, and that integrity sometimes means honoring a commitment we wish we had never made.
Joshua 9:20 in the Original Language
qetseph (קֶצֶף), 'wrath' -- the holy displeasure that breaking a sacred oath would invite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:20
What does Joshua 9:20 mean?
They resolve to let the Gibeonites live, fearing wrath if they break the oath.