Joshua 9:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Gibeonites profess servanthood, and Joshua presses them on their origin.
What Does Joshua 9:8 Mean?
The envoys deflect the suspicion with a posture of humility: We are thy servants. Joshua, for his part, asks the searching questions, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? The leader of Israel is probing, seeking to know exactly whom he is dealing with.
Joshua's questions are good and necessary. The trouble is what comes next: the answers will be taken on their word, without further testing. The verse captures a moment we all know, when the right questions are asked but the resolve to verify the answers quietly slips away under the pressure of a plausible reply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:8
What does Joshua 9:8 mean?
The Gibeonites profess servanthood, and Joshua presses them on their origin.