Verse 19

No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon. All others were taken in battle.

Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • Josh 9:3-9 : 3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they also acted with cunning. They disguised themselves as messengers, taking worn-out sacks for their donkeys, old and torn wineskins that had been mended. 5 They wore patched and worn-out sandals and clothes, and all the bread they carried as provisions was dry and crumbled. 6 They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel: “We have come from a distant land; now make a treaty with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you are living among us. How then can we make a treaty with you?” 8 They replied to Joshua, “We are your servants.” But Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?” 9 They answered him, “Your servants have come from a very distant land because of the name of the LORD your God. For we have heard of His fame and all He did in Egypt, 10 and all He did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for the journey and go to meet them. Tell them: We are your servants; now make a treaty with us.’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we took it as provisions from our houses on the day we set out to come to you, but now it is dry and crumbled. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, but see how they have burst. Our clothes and sandals are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly swore an oath to them. 16 After three days, once they had made a treaty with them, the Israelites learned that these people were actually their neighbors, living among them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day they arrived at the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack them because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole assembly grumbled against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to the assembly, 'We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.' 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live so that no wrath will fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them. 21 They also said, 'Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire assembly,' just as the leaders had directed. 22 Then Joshua summoned them and said, 'Why did you deceive us by saying, “We live far away from you,” while in fact you live among us?' 23 'Now therefore, you are under a curse and will always serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.' 24 They answered Joshua, 'Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you this entire land and destroy all its inhabitants before you. So we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.' 25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you. 26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 On that day, Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly and for the altar of the LORD at the place He would choose. And they continue to do so to this day.