Joshua 9

1 The kings combine against Israel.

3 The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league.

22 They are condemned to perpetual bondage.

9:1

kings <04428> [all the kings.]

side <05676> [on this.]

Mediterranean <01419> [of the great.]

Lebanon <03844> [Lebanon.]

Hittites <02850> [Hittite.]

9:2

formed <06908> [gathered.]

<06310> [accord. Heb. mouth.]

9:3

Gibeon <01391> [Gibeon.]

Jericho <03405> [Jericho.]

9:4

did ... clever <06195 06213> [work wilily.]

provisions <06737> [ambassadors.]

The word {tzir,} an ambassador, properly denotes a hinge; because an ambassador is a person upon whom the business turns as upon a hinge. So the Latin {Cardinalis,} from {cardo,} a hinge, was the title of the prime minister of the emperor Theodosius, though now applied only to the Pope's electors and counsellors.

wineskins <04997 03196> [wine bottles.]

These bottles being made of skin, were consequently liable to be rent, and capable of being mended; which is done, according to Chardin, by putting in a piece, or by gathering up the wounded piece in the manner of a purse; and sometimes by inserting a flat piece of wood.

9:5

worn-out ... sandals ........ worn-out <05275 01087> [old shoes.]

patched <02921> [clouted.]

The word clouted signifies here patched, from the Anglo-Saxon {clut,} a clout or rag; and not nailed from the French {clou,} a nail.

9:6

camp <04264> [the camp.]

come <0935> [We be.]

Make ... treaty <03772 01285> [make ye.]

{Kirthoo lanoo berith,} "cut or divide with us a covenant," or rather the covenant sacrifice offered on these occasions. (See Note on De 29:12.)

9:7

Hivites <02340> [Hivites.]

make <03772> [how shall.]

9:8

9:9

very <03966> [From a.]

reputation <08034> [because.]

heard <08085> [we have.]

9:10

two ... kings ......... King ...... King <04428 08147> [two kings.]

Ashtaroth <06252> [Ashtaroth.]

9:11

leaders <02205> [our elders.]

Take <03947> [Take.]

<03027> [with you. Heb. in your hand.]

subjects <05650> [We are your.]

9:12

bread <03899> [our bread.]

9:14

men examined ..... provisions <03947 06718 0582> [the men took of their victuals. or, they received the men by reason of their victuals. asked not.]

9:15

made ... peace <06213 07965> [made peace.]

leaders <05387> [and the.]

9:16

found out <08085> [that they heard.]

9:17

Gibeon <01391> [Gibeon.]

Kiriath Jearim <07157> [Kirjath-jearim.]

9:18

sworn an oath <07650> [had sworn.]

9:19

swore an oath <07650> [We have.]

9:20

curse <07110> [lest wrath.]

9:21

live ..... woodcutters <02421 02404> [let them.]

leaders .................... leaders <05387> [as the princes.]

9:22

trick <07411> [Wherefore.]

<03966> [We are.]

live <03427> [ye dwell.]

9:23

condemned <0779> [cursed.]

This may refer to the original curse pronounced against the descendants of Canaan: both of them seem to have implied nothing else than perpetual slavery. The Gibeonites were brought, no doubt, under tribute; performed the meanest offices for the Israelites; being in the same condition as the servile class of Hindoos, called the {Chetrees;} had their national importance annihilated, and yet were never permitted to incorporate themselves with the Israelites.

[See on]

perpetual <03772> [none of you be freed. Heb. not be cut off from you. hewers.]

In the East, collecting wood for fuel, and carrying water, are the peculiar employment of females. The Arab women of Barbary, and the daughters of the Turcomans, are thus employed. Hence Mr. Harmer concludes, that the bitterness of the doom of the Gibeonites does not seem to have consisted in the labouriousness of the service enjoined them, but its disgracing them from the characteristic employment of men, that of bearing arms, and condemning them and their posterity for ever to the employment of females.

9:24

Lord <03068> [the Lord.]

terrified <03966> [we were sore.]

9:25

power <02009 03027> [we are.]

<05869> [as it seemeth.]

9:27

day made .............................. day <05414 03117> [made them. Heb. gave, or delivered to be.]

[Nethinim. in the place.]