Joshua 9:4 Meaning and Explanation
“They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Gibeonites craft a disguise to appear as travelers from a distant land.
What Does Joshua 9:4 Mean?
The Gibeonites set their plan in motion. They dress the part of weary envoys from far away, loading their donkeys with worn-out sacks and cracked, patched wineskins. Every detail is staged to tell a story of a long and difficult journey.
Their scheme is built on deception, yet beneath it lies a genuine fear and a desperate wish to live. The verse shows human ingenuity bent toward self-preservation. It also sets up a tension the chapter will not let go of: how God's people should respond when met with a craft they did not expect.
Joshua 9:4 in the Original Language
nakal (נָכַל), 'to act craftily' -- to deal deceitfully or with cunning intent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:4
What does Joshua 9:4 mean?
The Gibeonites craft a disguise to appear as travelers from a distant land.