Joshua 9:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joshua protects the Gibeonites so that Israel does not kill them.
What Does Joshua 9:26 Mean?
Joshua acts on his decision. He delivers the Gibeonites out of the hand of Israel, so that they are not put to death. The man who could have ordered their destruction instead becomes the guardian of their lives, standing between them and the people's anger.
In sparing those who deceived him, Joshua honors the oath and extends a mercy they did not earn. There is a quiet foreshadowing here of a deliverance offered to the undeserving, where the very one with power to condemn chooses instead to save. The verse shows faithfulness and mercy meeting in a single act of protection.
Joshua 9:26 in the Original Language
natsal (נָצַל), 'to deliver' -- to rescue or snatch from danger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:26
What does Joshua 9:26 mean?
Joshua protects the Gibeonites so that Israel does not kill them.