King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:6 Mean?

Joshua 10:6 in the King James Version says “And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to u... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Joshua 10:6 · KJV


Context

4

Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

5

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

6

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

7

So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

8

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gibeon's desperate appeal: 'the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.' The urgency is palpable—multiple imperatives: don't slack, come quickly, save, help. The phrase 'thy servants' invokes covenant relationship established by treaty (9:15). Calling themselves servants acknowledges subordinate status while claiming treaty protection rights. The request 'come up quickly' (mahar, מַהֵר—hasten, hurry) indicates extreme urgency. The verbs 'save' (yasha, יָשַׁע) and 'help' (azar, עָזַר) request both deliverance and assistance. The identification of threat—'all the kings...that dwell in the mountains'—specifies southern highland coalition. This plea tests Israel's covenant faithfulness: will they honor a treaty obtained by deception? Joshua's positive response demonstrates covenant integrity even when inconvenient.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The message from Gibeon to Gilgal covered roughly twenty-five miles—doable in a day by rapid messenger. The urgency suggests Gibeon faced imminent danger—possibly the five armies had just arrived and begun siege operations. Ancient sieges could succeed quickly if defenders' morale broke or walls were breached rapidly. Gibeon's appeal tested Israel's treaty commitment. Technically, the treaty was obtained fraudulently (9:22-23), but Israel had sworn by the LORD (9:18-19), making the oath binding regardless of circumstances. The covenant's sanctity superseded pragmatic considerations. This reflects ancient Near Eastern treaty theology where oaths before deities were absolutely binding. Gibeon's confidence in appealing despite the deception shows they trusted Israel's covenant faithfulness. Their trust proved well-founded—Joshua marched immediately (verse 7). The episode teaches that covenant integrity matters more than convenience or past grievances. God honors faithfulness to commitments even when costly or complicated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does keeping commitments even when inconvenient or obtained through deception reflect God's covenant faithfulness?
  2. What does Gibeon's confidence in Israel's treaty commitment teach about the witness of covenant faithfulness?
  3. When has God called you to honor commitments despite costs or complicated circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ1 of 27

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אַנְשֵׁי֩2 of 27
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גִבְע֨וֹן3 of 27

of Gibeon

H1391

gibon, a place in palestine

אֶל4 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ5 of 27

unto Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶל6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙7 of 27

to the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

הַגִּלְגָּ֣לָה8 of 27

to Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

לֵאמֹ֔ר9 of 27

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל10 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֶּ֥רֶף11 of 27

Slack

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

יָדֶ֖יךָ12 of 27

not thy hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֵֽעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ13 of 27

from thy servants

H5650

a servant

עֲלֵ֧ה14 of 27

come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֵלֵ֣ינוּ15 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְהֵרָ֗ה16 of 27

to us quickly

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

וְהוֹשִׁ֤יעָה17 of 27

and save

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

לָּ֙נוּ֙18 of 27
H0
וְעָזְרֵ֔נוּ19 of 27

us and help

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

כִּ֚י20 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִקְבְּצ֣וּ21 of 27

are gathered together

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֵלֵ֔ינוּ22 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל23 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַלְכֵ֥י24 of 27

us for all the kings

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י25 of 27

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י26 of 27

that dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָהָֽר׃27 of 27

in the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 10:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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