Joshua 9:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Gibeonites come to Gilgal and ask Joshua to make a covenant of peace.
What Does Joshua 9:6 Mean?
The disguised envoys arrive at Israel's camp at Gilgal, the staging ground for the conquest. Standing before Joshua and the men of Israel, they open with the heart of their lie: We be come from a far country. On that claimed distance they request a league, a binding covenant of peace.
Their whole hope rests on being thought outsiders, beyond the bounds of the land Israel was to take. The request is reasonable on its face, which is what makes it dangerous. A well-framed appeal, arriving at the right moment, can carry weight that careful inquiry would have withheld.
Joshua 9:6 in the Original Language
berit (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding, solemn agreement, here a treaty of peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:6
What does Joshua 9:6 mean?
The Gibeonites come to Gilgal and ask Joshua to make a covenant of peace.