King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:11 Mean?

Joshua 9:11 in the King James Version says “Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey,... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. with you: Heb. in your hand

Joshua 9:11 · KJV


Context

9

And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

10

And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.

11

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. with you: Heb. in your hand

12

This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:

13

And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Gibeonites present evidence: 'This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy.' The staged evidence—'hot' bread now moldy—provides timeline suggesting long journey. The Hebrew קָלוּי (qalui—hot, roasted) indicates fresh-baked bread, implying departure timing. The comparison 'then versus now' invites visual inspection of the deterioration. The phrase 'behold' (הִנֵּה, hinneh) draws attention to the evidence—'look and see for yourselves.' This appeal to sensory verification (they can see and touch the bread) makes the deception especially effective. The lesson: empirical evidence can be manufactured or staged. Thomas Aquinas noted that deception often succeeds because it mimics truth's form. The passage teaches necessity of divine wisdom beyond empirical observation. Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bread baking in ancient Near East typically occurred regularly—fresh bread was daily necessity. Bread quickly dried and molded without preservatives, especially in warm climate. Travelers would take fresh bread at journey's start; by journey's end, it showed wear. The Gibeonites deliberately used old bread to create false timeline. The appeal to visual evidence—'behold, it is dry and mouldy'—invited inspection that would confirm their claim. Ancient Near Eastern hospitality meant arriving travelers would be examined—their provisions, garments, mode of transport all communicated information about journey length and origin. The Gibeonites understood this and staged every detail accordingly. The deception succeeded because it mimicked natural processes everyone understood. This teaches that empirical evidence requires proper interpretation—what causes observed effects? The Israelites saw moldy bread but didn't consider alternative explanations (deliberately using old bread). The failure: relying solely on sensory observation without seeking divine confirmation (verse 14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can empirical evidence (moldy bread, worn shoes) be staged to mislead?
  2. What is the relationship between trusting our senses and trusting divine guidance?
  3. When has apparently objective evidence led you to wrong conclusions without prayerful discernment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם1 of 21

spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֵ֡ינוּ2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זְֽקֵינֵינוּ֩3 of 21

Wherefore our elders

H2205

old

וְכָל4 of 21
H3605

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֨י5 of 21

and all the inhabitants

H3427

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

אַרְצֵ֜נוּ6 of 21

of our country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם7 of 21

spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קְח֨וּ8 of 21

Take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְיֶדְכֶ֤ם9 of 21

with you

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

צֵידָה֙10 of 21

victuals

H6720

food

לַדֶּ֔רֶךְ11 of 21

for the journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וּלְכ֖וּ12 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִקְרָאתָ֑ם13 of 21

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם14 of 21

spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶם֙15 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדֵיכֶ֣ם16 of 21

unto them We are your servants

H5650

a servant

אֲנַ֔חְנוּ17 of 21
H587

we

וְעַתָּ֖ה18 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כִּרְתוּ19 of 21

therefore now make

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָ֥נוּ20 of 21
H0
בְרִֽית׃21 of 21

ye a league

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)


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 9:11 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 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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