They feared Israel’s God and took drastic measures to secure their survival.
The Gibeonites respond to Joshua by acknowledging how they learned of God’s promise to grant Israel the land. They say, “Because it was certainly told your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” (v.24) Gibeon was situated several miles north of Jerusalem, a region in the central hill country of ancient Canaan. The Gibeonites were among the surrounding Canaanite peoples who realized Israel’s God had a unique and powerful covenant, evidenced by the miracles surrounding the Exodus earlier in Israel’s history (around 1446-1406 BC), and the subsequent leadership of Joshua after Moses’ death around 1406 BC. The verse highlights that their fear is based on the reputation of the LORD’s deeds through Moses and now continuing with Joshua.
When the Gibeonites say “it was certainly told your servants… therefore we feared greatly for our lives” (v.24), they refer to the command God gave to Moses to destroy the inhabitants of the land, in fulfillment of His covenant promise (see Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This was not merely a passing worry; it was rooted in their understanding that the LORD’s power was unstoppable, and that His covenant people often overcame overwhelming odds. The Gibeonites posit that their ruse—portraying themselves as travelers from a distant land—was a means of self-preservation. Their words underscore an acknowledgment that their best hope lay in seeking terms of peace with Israel rather than risking outright defeat.
In confessing, “…we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” (v.24), the Gibeonites illustrate how God’s mighty works among His people led even distant nations to tremble, anticipating that Israel would eventually displace all current inhabitants. Their statement also foreshadows the deeper theme that emerges throughout the Old Testament and beyond: worship of Israel’s God spreads as His might becomes known, and those who submit to His sovereignty often find unexpected mercy, as will eventually be fully revealed in the New Testament through Jesus (Romans 15:9-12).
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Joshua 9:24 meaning
The Gibeonites respond to Joshua by acknowledging how they learned of God’s promise to grant Israel the land. They say, “Because it was certainly told your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” (v.24) Gibeon was situated several miles north of Jerusalem, a region in the central hill country of ancient Canaan. The Gibeonites were among the surrounding Canaanite peoples who realized Israel’s God had a unique and powerful covenant, evidenced by the miracles surrounding the Exodus earlier in Israel’s history (around 1446-1406 BC), and the subsequent leadership of Joshua after Moses’ death around 1406 BC. The verse highlights that their fear is based on the reputation of the LORD’s deeds through Moses and now continuing with Joshua.
When the Gibeonites say “it was certainly told your servants… therefore we feared greatly for our lives” (v.24), they refer to the command God gave to Moses to destroy the inhabitants of the land, in fulfillment of His covenant promise (see Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This was not merely a passing worry; it was rooted in their understanding that the LORD’s power was unstoppable, and that His covenant people often overcame overwhelming odds. The Gibeonites posit that their ruse—portraying themselves as travelers from a distant land—was a means of self-preservation. Their words underscore an acknowledgment that their best hope lay in seeking terms of peace with Israel rather than risking outright defeat.
In confessing, “…we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” (v.24), the Gibeonites illustrate how God’s mighty works among His people led even distant nations to tremble, anticipating that Israel would eventually displace all current inhabitants. Their statement also foreshadows the deeper theme that emerges throughout the Old Testament and beyond: worship of Israel’s God spreads as His might becomes known, and those who submit to His sovereignty often find unexpected mercy, as will eventually be fully revealed in the New Testament through Jesus (Romans 15:9-12).