Joshua 9:15
Joshua 9:15 in Multiple Translations
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
So Joshua made peace with them, and made an agreement with them that they were not to be put to death: and the chiefs of the people took an oath to them.
Then Joshua made a treaty with them, promising to spare their lives, and the leaders of the assembly swore an oath to guarantee it.
So Ioshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, that he would suffer them to liue: also the Princes of the Congregation sware vnto them.
and Joshua maketh with them peace, and maketh with them a covenant, to keep them alive; and swear to them do the princes of the company.
Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation swore to them.
And Josue made peace with them, and entering into a league promised that they should not be slain: the princes also of the multitude swore to them.
So Joshua agreed to make a peace agreement with the men from Gibeon to not kill them. All the Israeli leaders vowed to do what Joshua said in the agreement. Then the men from Gibeon returned home.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 9:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 9:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
לָ/הֶ֤ם
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙
שָׁל֔וֹם
וַ/יִּכְרֹ֥ת
לָ/הֶ֛ם
בְּרִ֖ית
לְ/חַיּוֹתָ֑/ם
וַ/יִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ
לָ/הֶ֔ם
נְשִׂיאֵ֖י
הָ/עֵדָֽה
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֤ם
Prep | Suff
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
Joshua
N-proper
שָׁל֔וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
Peace
N-ms
וַ/יִּכְרֹ֥ת
kârath
H3772
to cut
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֛ם
Prep | Suff
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
לְ/חַיּוֹתָ֑/ם
châyâh
H2421
to live
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
וַ/יִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ
shâbaʻ
H7650
to swear
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
נְשִׂיאֵ֖י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
N-mp
הָ/עֵדָֽה
ʻêdâh
H5712
congregation
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 9:15
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/הֶ֤ם
""
Prep | Suff
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
"Joshua"
N-proper
Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.
שָׁל֔וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
"Peace"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.
Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.
וַ/יִּכְרֹ֥ת
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
לָ/הֶ֛ם
""
Prep | Suff
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
לְ/חַיּוֹתָ֑/ם
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
וַ/יִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ
shâbaʻ
H7650
"to swear"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.
Definition: 1) to swear, adjure 1a) (Qal) sworn (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to swear, take an oath 1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself) 1b3) to curse 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to take an oath 1c2) to adjure
Usage: Occurs in 175 OT verses. KJV: adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for H7646 (שָׂבַע)), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear. See also: Genesis 21:23; Judges 21:18; Psalms 15:4.
לָ/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
נְשִׂיאֵ֖י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
N-mp
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
הָ/עֵדָֽה
ʻêdâh
H5712
"congregation"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Definition: congregation, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.
Study Notes — Joshua 9:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 9:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 9:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 9:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
- Sermons on Joshua 9:15
Context — The Deceit of the Gibeonites
13These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
14Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
15And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
16Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. 17So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 21:2 | At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 20:10–11 | When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. |
| 3 | Joshua 11:19 | No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. |
| 4 | Joshua 6:22–25 | Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 18:7–8 | At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. |
| 6 | Joshua 2:12–19 | Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.” Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window, since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city. “Go to the hill country,” she said, “so that your pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there for three days until they have returned; then go on your way.” The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house. If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads. |
| 7 | Exodus 23:32 | You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. |
Joshua 9:15 Summary
In Joshua 9:15, Joshua made a treaty of peace with the Gibeonites, which means he agreed to let them live and not attack them. However, this decision was made without seeking the counsel of the Lord, as noted in Joshua 9:14, which is contrary to the example of seeking God's guidance in Proverbs 3:5-6. This verse teaches us the importance of seeking God's guidance in all our decisions, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, and trusting in His sovereignty, as encouraged in Romans 8:28. By learning from Joshua's mistake, we can apply the lesson of seeking God's guidance to our own lives and trust in His sovereignty, even when things do not go as planned, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the treaty of peace that Joshua made with the Gibeonites?
The treaty of peace was an agreement between Joshua and the Gibeonites to spare their lives and not attack them, as seen in Joshua 9:15, and this decision was made without seeking the counsel of the Lord, as noted in Joshua 9:14, which is contrary to the example of seeking God's guidance in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Why did Joshua and the leaders of the congregation swear an oath to the Gibeonites?
Joshua and the leaders swore an oath to the Gibeonites because they believed they were from a faraway land, as the Gibeonites had deceived them, and they wanted to keep their promise to let them live, as seen in Joshua 9:15, which demonstrates the importance of keeping vows, as emphasized in Psalm 15:4.
What can we learn from Joshua's decision to make a treaty with the Gibeonites without seeking God's counsel?
We can learn the importance of seeking God's guidance in all our decisions, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, and the potential consequences of acting without God's counsel, as seen in the troubles that arose from this decision, such as in Joshua 9:16-17, which highlights the need for careful consideration and prayer, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of trusting in God's sovereignty?
This verse shows that even when we make mistakes, such as Joshua did, God is still sovereign and can use those mistakes for His glory, as seen in Romans 8:28, and it emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as encouraged in Proverbs 16:9, and seeking His guidance in all our decisions.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have acted without seeking God's counsel, and what were the consequences?
- How can I apply the lesson of seeking God's guidance in all my decisions, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, to my life today?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's sovereignty, even when things do not go as planned, and how can I use those experiences to grow in my faith, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
- How can I balance the importance of keeping vows, as seen in Psalm 15:4, with the need to seek God's guidance in all my decisions, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What are some ways that I can learn from Joshua's mistake and apply it to my own life, and how can I use this experience to deepen my relationship with God, as encouraged in James 1:5-8?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made peace with them,.... Upon the report the princes made of having examined what they had said, and which they found to be true, particularly concerning their victuals: and made a league
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
To let them live, i.e. that they would not destroy them. Some question whether this league was lawful and obliging, because it is contrary to a positive and precedent law of God, by which they were enjoined to make no peace with them, but utterly to destroy them, Exodus 34 &c. But this law seems to admit of some exception and favourable interpretation, and that taken from the reason and soul of that law; which was this, that the Israelites might not be tainted with their idolatry and other abominations by cohabitation with them; and therefore when that reason ceased, i.e. if they were willing to relinquish their possessions and idolatry, and other wickedness, and to embrace the true religion, they might be spared. And though this law was delivered in general terms, because God foresaw that the Israelites would be most prone to err on that hand, by sparing those whom they should destroy; yet that it was to be understood with an exception of penitents and true converts might easily be gathered, both from the example of Rahab, and from the tenor of Divine threatenings, which, though absolutely delivered, allow of this exception; as appears from ,8 Jonah 3 Jonah 4, and from the great kindness and favour which God hath manifested unto all true penitents, in delivering them from evils threatened to them, and inflicted upon others; which kindness of God we also are obliged to imitate by virtue of that natural and moral law of God implanted in us, and revealed to us, to which such positive commands as this of killing the Canaanites must give place. And that this league was lawful and obliging, may seem probable, 1. Because Joshua and all the princes upon the review concluded it so to be, and spared them accordingly, ,20,22,23. 2. Because God punished the violation of it long after, . 3. Because God is said to have hardened the hearts of all other cities not to seek peace with Israel, that so he might utterly destroy them, ,20, which seems to imply that their utter destruction did not necessarily come upon them by virtue of any absolute and peremptory command of God to destroy them, but by their own obstinate hardness, whereby they neglected and refused to make peace with the Israelites. Object. This league was grounded upon a deceit and error of the persons, which also they had entered a caution against, .
Answ. Their supposition that they were Canaanites was indeed a part of the foregoing discourse, , and the Israelites rested satisfied with their answer, and believed they were not, and so entered into the league; but that league was absolute, not suspended upon that or any other condition; and the error was not about the persons, but about the country and people to which they belonged, which was not material to this contract, no more than it is to a contract of marriage, that the one person believed the other to be of another country or family than indeed they were.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
Joshua 9:15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.Ver. 15. And Joshua made peace with them.] This was not without the Lord; who, as he glorified his justice in rooting out the rest of the Amorites, so he manifested his mercy in saving these Gibeonites from that general deluge of destruction.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
Verse 15. Joshua made peace with them] Joshua agreed to receive them into a friendly connection with the Israelites, and to respect their lives and properties; and the elders of Israel bound themselves to the observance of it, and confirmed it with an oath. As the same words are used here as in Joshua 9:6, we may suppose that the covenant was made in the ordinary way, a sacrifice being offered on the occasion, and its blood poured out before the Lord. See Clarke on Genesis 15:10, &c.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 9:15
15. Peace — He solemnly pledged the faith of his people to abstain from war against their commonwealth.
Sermons on Joshua 9:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Joshua - Gibeon: Spiritual Warfare by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the children of Israel being deceived by the Gibeonites. The enemy sometimes tries to hinder our relationship with Christ by bui |
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The Rewards of Hospitality by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome highlights the story of Rahab the harlot, emphasizing her faith, hospitality, and role in the salvation of the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho. Rahab's courageous a |
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"America Rejecting the Light" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the concept of God's potential withdrawal of protection from a nation that has been abundantly blessed but has turned away from Him. It explores the idea th |
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(Messages) Weapons for Temptation by Basilea Schlink | In this video, Mother Basilea Schlink of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary discusses the urgent need for Christians to rise up and accept the challenge of spreading God's word in |
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David Wilkerson Prophecy - New York 1000 Fires by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the judgment of societies by God, warning of impending chastisement for turning away from righteousness and holiness. The speaker predicts a period of intens |
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Desperation, Resignation - Part 1 by Keith Daniel | This sermon delves into the story of Jeremiah visiting the potter's house, where he witnesses the potter remaking a marred vessel, symbolizing God's ability to reshape and work on |
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Do Not Forsake My Law by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance, turning back to God, and seeking His wisdom. It highlights the consequences of shedding innocent blood, promoting idolatry, and |