Joshua 9:4

9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

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;

KJV

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they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wine skins,

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;

They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;

9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

What does Joshua 9:4 mean?

Joshua 9:4 is a verse in the book of Joshua, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh), עׇרְמָה (ʻormâh), יָלַךְ (yâlak). It connects to 3 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

They

did

workעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

wilily,עׇרְמָהʻormâh/or-maw'/H6195trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion

and

wentיָלַךְyâlak/yaw-lak'/H3212to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

and

made

they

had

been

ambassadors,צָיַרtsâyar/tsaw-yar'/H6737to make an errand, i.e. betake oneself

and

tookלָקַחlâqach/law-kakh'/H3947to take (in the widest variety of applications)

oldבָּלֶהbâleh/baw-leh'/H1087worn out

sacksשַׂקsaq/sak/H8242properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain, etc.)

upon

their

asses,חֲמוֹרchămôwr/kham-ore'/H2543a male ass (from its dun red)

and

wineיַיִןyayin/yah'-yin/H3196wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

bottles,נֹאדnôʼd/node/H4997a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids)

old,בָּלֶהbâleh/baw-leh'/H1087worn out

and

rent,בָּקַעbâqaʻ/baw-kah'/H1234to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

and

bound

up;צָרַרtsârar/tsaw-rar'/H6887to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

Commentary on Joshua 9:4

HENRY_FULL · Joshua 9:4

"x-p" In this chapter we have an account of the scouts that were employed to bring an account to Joshua of the posture of the city of Jericho. Observe here, I. How Joshua sent them, ver. 1 . II. How Rahab received them, and protected them, and told a lie for them ( ver. 2-7 ), so that they escaped out of the hands of the enemy. III. The account she gave them of the present posture of Jericho, and the panic-fear they were struck with upon the approach of Israel, ver. 8-11 . IV. The bargain she made with them for the security of herself and her relations in the ruin she saw coming upon her city, ver. 12-21 . V. Their safe return to Joshua, and the account they gave him of their expedition, ver. 22-24 . And that which makes this story most remarkable is that Rahab, the person principally concerned in it, is twice celebrated in the New Testament as a great believer ( Heb. xi. 31 ) and as one whose faith proved itself by good works, James ii. 25 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Proverbs 21:30

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Isaiah 43:13

Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? let it: Heb. turn it back?

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Topics

Ambassadors Amorites, the Contracts Gibeonites Kirjath-Jearim Travellers

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Joshua 9:4.

Genesis 42:27

And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.

Frequently asked questions

What does Joshua 9:4 say?

Joshua 9:4 (King James Version) reads: "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;"

Is Joshua 9:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Joshua 9:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Joshua.

Reflect

As you read Joshua 9:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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