They used old, moldy bread to mislead God’s people.
In this section of Scripture, the Gibeonites are cunningly presenting false evidence to Joshua and the Israelites, hoping to convince them of their supposed distant origin. They say, “This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions out of our houses on the day that we left to come to you, but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) By displaying stale bread that was once fresh, they seek to create the illusion that they traveled far. Historically, this takes place around 1400 BC, when Joshua, the Israelite leader and successor to Moses, is conducting the conquest of Canaan. The region where Gibeon is situated lies in the central hill country of Canaan, near what is today Jerusalem. The Gibeonites, understanding Israel’s reputation under Joshua’s leadership, decide that subterfuge will be their best defense (Joshua 9:3-6).
When the Gibeonites mention that their bread was “warm” but is now “dry” and “crumbled,” they illustrate how distance and time supposedly led to this deterioration. “This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions … but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) They are essentially saying, “We must have traveled for a very long time—just look at our moldy supplies.” This tactic plays on the Israelites’ compassion and their assumption that the Gibeonites live far beyond the borders of the Promised Land, thus shifting Israel’s attention away from the truth. Their stratagem eventually results in a treaty being formed without inquiring of the LORD, which foreshadows complications for Israel (Joshua 9:14-15). In the New Testament context, Jesus frequently warns His followers about deceit and stresses the importance of truthfulness (John 8:44). The Gibeonites’ trickery here beautifully illustrates our need to seek God’s guidance, lest we be misled by outward appearances.
By depicting the stale bread, the Gibeonites further their claim that they are no threat at all. “… but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) Such attention to deceptive details draws Israel into a covenant based on erroneous perceptions. This passage underscores the importance of discernment and prayerful decision-making, themes that resonate throughout Scripture (James 1:5). Had Joshua and the leaders consulted the LORD, they would have discerned the truth and avoided future conflicts. Yet God uses this event for His greater purposes, as He often redeems human failures to lead His people toward reliance on Him.
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Joshua 9:12 meaning
In this section of Scripture, the Gibeonites are cunningly presenting false evidence to Joshua and the Israelites, hoping to convince them of their supposed distant origin. They say, “This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions out of our houses on the day that we left to come to you, but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) By displaying stale bread that was once fresh, they seek to create the illusion that they traveled far. Historically, this takes place around 1400 BC, when Joshua, the Israelite leader and successor to Moses, is conducting the conquest of Canaan. The region where Gibeon is situated lies in the central hill country of Canaan, near what is today Jerusalem. The Gibeonites, understanding Israel’s reputation under Joshua’s leadership, decide that subterfuge will be their best defense (Joshua 9:3-6).
When the Gibeonites mention that their bread was “warm” but is now “dry” and “crumbled,” they illustrate how distance and time supposedly led to this deterioration. “This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions … but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) They are essentially saying, “We must have traveled for a very long time—just look at our moldy supplies.” This tactic plays on the Israelites’ compassion and their assumption that the Gibeonites live far beyond the borders of the Promised Land, thus shifting Israel’s attention away from the truth. Their stratagem eventually results in a treaty being formed without inquiring of the LORD, which foreshadows complications for Israel (Joshua 9:14-15). In the New Testament context, Jesus frequently warns His followers about deceit and stresses the importance of truthfulness (John 8:44). The Gibeonites’ trickery here beautifully illustrates our need to seek God’s guidance, lest we be misled by outward appearances.
By depicting the stale bread, the Gibeonites further their claim that they are no threat at all. “… but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled.” (v.12) Such attention to deceptive details draws Israel into a covenant based on erroneous perceptions. This passage underscores the importance of discernment and prayerful decision-making, themes that resonate throughout Scripture (James 1:5). Had Joshua and the leaders consulted the LORD, they would have discerned the truth and avoided future conflicts. Yet God uses this event for His greater purposes, as He often redeems human failures to lead His people toward reliance on Him.