Joshua 9:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joshua confronts the Gibeonites for their deception.
What Does Joshua 9:22 Mean?
Joshua now summons the Gibeonites directly and confronts them. He names their deceit plainly: Wherefore have ye beguiled us, asking why they claimed to be very far away when in fact they dwell among us. The leader speaks the truth openly to their faces.
Honoring the oath did not require pretending the deception never happened. Joshua holds them accountable with honest words even as he spares their lives. The verse models a faithfulness that is neither naive nor vindictive: it keeps its promise, and it also speaks the truth plainly, refusing to let wrongdoing pass unnamed.
Joshua 9:22 in the Original Language
ramah (רָמָה), 'to beguile' -- to deceive or betray through trickery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:22
What does Joshua 9:22 mean?
Joshua confronts the Gibeonites for their deception.