Joshua 9:7

7 But the Israelites said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a treaty with you?"

Joshua 9:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 9:7

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites
Though they did not know them to be such, but as they afterwards appeared to be the Hivites, as the Gibeonites were, they are here so called, see ( Joshua 11:19 ) . The name signifies "serpents"; according to a Derash, or mystical exposition, mentioned by Kimchi, the Gibeonites are so called, because they did the work of the serpent; that is to say, they deceived the Israelites, as the serpent deceived Eve:

peradventure ye dwell among us;
of which they had some suspicion;

and how shall we make a league with you?
which they were forbid to do with any of the seven nations, ( Deuteronomy 7:2 ) .

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Joshua 9:7 In-Context

5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes; and all their provisions were dry and moldy.

6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the Israelites, "We have come from a far country; so now make a treaty with us."

7 But the Israelites said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a treaty with you?"

8 They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." And Joshua said to them, "Who are you? And where do you come from?"

9 They said to him, "Your servants have come from a very far country, because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have heard a report of him, of all that he did in Egypt,

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Joshua 9:7

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Joshua 9:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 9:7 In-Context