King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:6 Mean?

Joshua 9:6 in the King James Version says “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 coun...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 9:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?

8

And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?

Read Joshua 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Gibeonites approach Israel's camp at Gilgal and petition Joshua: 'We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.' Their opening claim—distance of origin—is the crucial lie on which the entire deception depends. The Hebrew מֵאֶרֶץ רְחוֹקָה (me'eretz rechoqah—from a far land) repeats the distance emphasis. The request for a league (בְּרִית, berit—covenant, treaty) invokes formal treaty-making conventions. Ancient Near Eastern treaties involved solemn oaths binding both parties. By requesting a covenant, Gibeonites sought permanent protection under oath Israel couldn't break without violating covenant sanctity. Their approach shows sophisticated understanding of Israelite theology—they knew Israel took oaths seriously (as later verses prove when Israel honors the oath despite discovering the deception). The petition's simplicity masks calculated manipulation. They don't plead for mercy or cite specific threats; they simply state distant origin and request treaty—implying that distance makes them non-threatening, eligible for peaceful relations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Gilgal served as Israel's base camp after crossing Jordan (Joshua 4:19), making it the appropriate location for diplomatic contact. Ancient treaty-making between nations typically occurred at one party's capital or camp, with ambassadors traveling to petition for agreements. The request for a 'league' (covenant) invoked the most solemn form of international relationship. Such covenants involved oaths before deities, making violation highly serious. The Gibeonites' strategy exploited Israel's own legal framework: Deuteronomy 20:10-15 permitted peace treaties with distant cities while commanding near Canaanite cities' destruction. By claiming distance, Gibeonites sought to qualify for the lenient category. Their confidence in approaching Israel's camp shows either courage or desperation—or both. Canaanite cities knew Israel's track record (Jericho, Ai); approaching voluntarily risked immediate hostility. Yet Gibeon gambled that their disguise and proposal would work. The success of their gambit teaches that bold deception sometimes succeeds where honest confrontation would fail.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do deceivers often exploit legitimate structures or rules (like Israel's treaty categories) for illegitimate purposes?
  2. What does Gibeon's boldness in approaching Israel teach about desperation producing creative solutions?
  3. How should believers balance hospitality/openness with wise discernment in evaluating requests?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֵּֽלְכ֧וּ1 of 18
H1980

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

אֶל2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ3 of 18

“to Joshua”

H3091

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

אֶל4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה5 of 18

“unto 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

הַגִּלְגָּ֑ל6 of 18

“at Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ7 of 18

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו8 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאֶל9 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ10 of 18

“unto him and to the men”

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)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל11 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מֵאֶ֤רֶץ12 of 18

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רְחוֹקָה֙13 of 18

“from a far”

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

בָּ֔אנוּ14 of 18

“We be come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְעַתָּ֖ה15 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כִּרְתוּ16 of 18

“now therefore 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

לָ֥נוּ17 of 18
H0
בְרִֽית׃18 of 18

“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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 5:102 Kings 20:14Deuteronomy 20:11-15Joshua 10:431 Kings 8:41Joshua 9:9

Places in This Verse

Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
View all places in Joshua 9 →

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