King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:4 Mean?

Joshua 9:4 in the King James Version says “They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine b...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Joshua 9:4 · KJV

Context

2

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. accord: Heb. mouth

3

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

4

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;

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.

6

And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Gibeonites, hearing of Israel's victories, employ deception: 'they did work wilily.' The Hebrew עָרְמָה (ormah) means craftiness, shrewdness—the same word describing the serpent in Eden (Genesis 3:1). This linguistic connection hints at deception's sinful nature. Their strategy: 'made as if they had been ambassadors'—elaborate disguise creating false narrative. The phrase suggests they not only dressed the part but acted the role comprehensively. They took old sacks, worn wineskins, old and patched sandals, old garments, and stale bread—all intended to suggest long travel. The comprehensiveness of the deception shows careful planning and intelligence about what would convince Israel. This contrasts with the previous verse's honest military alliance—Gibeon chose subterfuge over confrontation. Their deception succeeded because Israel failed to 'ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD' (verse 14). The passage warns that human discernment, however careful, proves insufficient without divine guidance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gibeon was a significant city, described as 'great as one of the royal cities' (10:2) with a warrior population. Their choice of deception over confrontation suggests shrewd assessment that direct warfare against Israel would fail. The elaborate preparation—gathering old items, staging a caravan, preparing a cover story—shows sophistication and desperation. Ancient Near Eastern treaty-making typically involved formal protocols: ambassadors, gifts, negotiations, oaths. Gibeon mimicked these conventions to appear legitimate. Their knowledge that Israel might make peace with distant peoples (implied by the deception's premise) suggests intelligence about Israelite treaty practices, possibly based on Deuteronomy 20:10-15's distinction between near and far cities. The success of their deception teaches that spiritual warfare includes subterfuge and counterfeits requiring discernment beyond human wisdom. Satan appears as angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); we must test spirits (1 John 4:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. What role does deception play in spiritual warfare, and how can believers develop discernment?
  2. When has elaborate appearance of legitimacy (like Gibeon's props) deceived you or your community?
  3. How does failure to 'ask counsel of the LORD' leave us vulnerable to deception?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֤וּ1 of 15

“They did work”

H6213

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

גַם2 of 15
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֙מָּה֙3 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּעָרְמָ֔ה4 of 15

“wilily”

H6195

trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion

וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ5 of 15
H1980

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

וַיִּצְטַיָּ֑רוּ6 of 15

“and made as if they had been ambassadors”

H6737

to make an errand, i.e., betake oneself

וַיִּקְח֞וּ7 of 15

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

שַׂקִּ֤ים8 of 15

“sacks”

H8242

properly, 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 grai

בָּלִ֔ים9 of 15

“old”

H1087

worn out

לַחֲמ֣וֹרֵיהֶ֔ם10 of 15

“upon their asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וְנֹאד֥וֹת11 of 15

“bottles”

H4997

a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids)

יַ֙יִן֙12 of 15

“and wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

בָּלִ֔ים13 of 15

“old”

H1087

worn out

וּמְבֻקָּעִ֖ים14 of 15

“and rent”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

וּמְצֹֽרָרִֽים׃15 of 15

“and bound up”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

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 9:4 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 9:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 5:37-38Mark 2:22Luke 16:8Matthew 10:16Matthew 9:17Psalms 119:83

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