King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:24 Mean?

Joshua 9:24 in the King James Version says “And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Joshua 9:24 · KJV


Context

22

And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

23

Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. none: Heb. not be cut off from you

24

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

25

And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

26

And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded... to destroy all the inhabitants—the Gibeonites' theological awareness is remarkable. They knew not merely Israel's military prowess but the divine mandate behind the conquest (הִשָּׁמֵד, hisshamed—to utterly destroy). Their phrase we were sore afraid of our lives (וַנִּירָא מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵינוּ, vanirah me'od lenafshoteinu) reveals existential terror at God's holiness, not merely human armies.

Unlike Jericho's doomed citizens or Ai's defenders, the Gibeonites responded to revelation with action, choosing survival through servitude over pride unto death. Their knowledge of God's commands suggests either espionage or God's sovereign disclosure—similar to Rahab's confession (Joshua 2:9-11). Faith, however imperfect or mixed with deception, seeks refuge in God's people rather than fighting against His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Gibeonite confederacy knew detailed Mosaic law, including the destruction mandate (Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20:16-17) and the exception for distant cities willing to make peace (Deuteronomy 20:10-15). Their deception exploited this legal loophole by falsely claiming distant origin. This demonstrates how widely knowledge of Israel's God and His commands had spread through Canaan following the exodus and Jordan crossing.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Gibeonites' accurate knowledge of God's commands teach about the responsibility that comes with divine revelation?
  2. How does their choice to seek refuge through deception—rather than direct repentance—complicate our understanding of faith?
  3. In what ways does God's acceptance of even flawed faith (when it leads to His people) challenge rigid religious formalism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 35 words
וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ1 of 35

And they answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֶת2 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ3 of 35

Joshua

H3091

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ4 of 35

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּי֩5 of 35
H3588

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

הֻגַּ֤ד6 of 35

Because it was certainly

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

הֻגַּ֤ד7 of 35

Because it was certainly

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

עַבְדּ֔וֹ8 of 35

his servant

H5650

a servant

אֵת֩9 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֜ה11 of 35

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֤ה12 of 35

how that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙13 of 35

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת14 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֹשֶׁ֣ה15 of 35

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עַבְדּ֔וֹ16 of 35

his servant

H5650

a servant

לָתֵ֤ת17 of 35

to give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶם֙18 of 35
H0
אֶת19 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל20 of 35
H3605

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ21 of 35

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּלְהַשְׁמִ֛יד22 of 35

and to destroy

H8045

to desolate

אֶת23 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל24 of 35
H3605

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י25 of 35

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ26 of 35

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם27 of 35

because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַנִּירָ֨א28 of 35

afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מְאֹ֤ד29 of 35

you therefore we were sore

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙30 of 35

of our lives

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם31 of 35

because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה32 of 35

of you and have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת33 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֥ר34 of 35

this thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּֽה׃35 of 35
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 9:24 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 9:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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