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Selected Verse: Joshua 9:3 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Jos 9:3	Strong Concordance	And when the inhabitants [03427] of Gibeon [01391] heard [08085] what Joshua [03091] had done [06213] unto Jericho [03405] and to Ai [05857],
	King James	And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE GIBEONITES OBTAIN A LEAGUE BY CRAFT. (Jos 9:3-15) when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard--This town, as its name imports, was situated on a rocky eminence, about six miles northwest from Jerusalem, where the modern village of El Jib now stands. It was the capital of the Hivites, and a large important city (Jos 10:2). It seems to have formed, in union with a few other towns in the neighborhood, a free independent state (Jos 9:17) and to have enjoyed a republican government (Jos 9:11).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

THE GIBEONITES OBTAIN A LEAGUE BY CRAFT. (Jos 9:3-15)

when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard--This town, as its name imports, was situated on a rocky eminence, about six miles northwest from Jerusalem, where the modern village of El Jib now stands. It was the capital of the Hivites, and a large important city (Jos 10:2). It seems to have formed, in union with a few other towns in the neighborhood, a free independent state (Jos 9:17) and to have enjoyed a republican government (Jos 9:11).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Gibeon was the head of the four towns Jos 9:17 occupied by the Hivites Jos 11:19. The inhabitants were Amorites Sa2 21:2; the name "Amorites" being used as a general name for the Canaanite population (Deu 1:44 note). The Hivites seem to have had a non-monarchical form of government (compare Jos 9:3, Jos 9:11), but their city was Jos 10:2 in size and importance equal to those cities which the kings of the country made their capitals. Gibeon signifies "pertaining to a hill," i. e. built on a hill (compare Gibeah and Geba, towns in the same neighborhood), and describes the site, which is on two of the rounded hills unique to this district. It is still known as El-Jib, and lies about five miles north of Jerusalem by the most direct route. It stands at the head of the pass of Beth-horon, through which lies the main route from Jerusalem and the lower Jordan valley to Joppa and the sea coast. Thus from its position, no less than from the number and valor of its people Jos 10:2, it was one of the most important cities of southern Canaan. Gibeon fell within the lot of Benjamin Jos 18:25, and was one of the cities assigned to the priests Jos 21:17. In later times it was famous as the scene of various events (Sa2 2:12-17; Sa2 20:4-13; Kg1 2:28-29, compare with Ch1 16:39). It was for a long time the spot where the tabernacle of Moses, together with the brass altar of burnt offering Ch1 21:29 and other portions of the sacred furniture, were placed. It was the scene of the magnificent ceremonial with which Solomon inaugurated his reign 1 Kings 3, but no doubt lost much of its importance after the tabernacle and its accompaniments were removed to the temple of Solomon.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
But the inhabitants of a republic, which included not only Gibeon the capital, but the towns of Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim also, acted differently from the rest. Gibeon (Γαβάων, Gabaon, lxx Vulg.) was larger than Ai, being one of the royal cities (Jos 10:2), and was inhabited by Hivites, who were a brave people (Jos 10:7; Jos 11:19). It was afterwards allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, and set apart as a Levitical town (Jos 18:25; Jos 21:17). After the destruction of Nob by Saul, the tabernacle was removed thither, and there it remained till the building of Solomon's temple (Ch1 16:39; Ch1 21:29; Kg1 3:4-5; Ch2 1:3.). According to Josephus, it was forty or fifty stadia from Jerusalem, and judging from its name was built upon a hill. It is to be found in the modern Jib, two good hours' journey to the north-west of Jerusalem, a village of moderate size, on a long chalk hill which overlooks a very fertile, well cultivated plain, or rather a basin, consisting of broad valleys and plains, and rises like a vineyard, in the form of separate terraces (Strauss, Sinai, p. 332). The remains of large massive buildings of great antiquity are still to be seen there, also some fountains, and two large subterraneous reservoirs (vid., Rob. Pal. ii. p. 136). When the Gibeonites heard of the fate of Jericho and Ai, they also did (something) with stratagem. In the expression המּה גּם ("they also") there is a reference implied to what Joshua had done at Jericho and Ai; not, however, to the stratagem resorted to in the case of Ai, as such an allusion would not apply to Jericho. They set out as ambassadors: יצטיּרוּ, from צרר, which occurs in every other instance in the form of a noun, signifying a messenger (Pro 13:17, etc.). In the Hithpael it means to make themselves ambassadors, to travel as ambassadors. The translators of the ancient versions, however, adopted the reading יצטיּדוּ, they provided themselves with food; but this was nothing more than a conjecture founded upon Jos 9:12, and without the slightest critical value. They also took "old sacks upon their asses, and old mended wineskins." מצררים, from צרר, lit. bound together, is very characteristic. There are two modes adopted in the East of repairing skins when torn, viz., inserting a patch, or tying up the piece that is torn in the form of a bag. Here the reference is to the latter, which was most in harmony with their statement, that the skins had got injured upon their long journey. Also "old mended sandals upon their feet, and old clothes upon them (upon their bodies); and all the bread of their provisions had become dry and quite mouldy." נקּדים, lit. furnished with points; נקוד, pointed, speckled (Gen 30:32.). Hence the rendering of the lxx, εὐρωτιῶν; Theod., βεβρωμένοι; Luther, schimmlicht, mouldy; whereas the rendering adopted by Aquila is ἐψαθυρωμένος; by Symmachus, κάπορος, i.e., adustus, torridus; and by the Vulgate, in frusta comminuti, i.e., crumbled.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

But the inhabitants of a republic, which included not only Gibeon the capital, but the towns of Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim also, acted differently from the rest. Gibeon (Γαβάων, Gabaon, lxx Vulg.) was larger than Ai, being one of the royal cities (Jos 10:2), and was inhabited by Hivites, who were a brave people (Jos 10:7; Jos 11:19). It was afterwards allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, and set apart as a Levitical town (Jos 18:25; Jos 21:17). After the destruction of Nob by Saul, the tabernacle was removed thither, and there it remained till the building of Solomon's temple (Ch1 16:39; Ch1 21:29; Kg1 3:4-5; Ch2 1:3.). According to Josephus, it was forty or fifty stadia from Jerusalem, and judging from its name was built upon a hill. It is to be found in the modern Jib, two good hours' journey to the north-west of Jerusalem, a village of moderate size, on a long chalk hill which overlooks a very fertile, well cultivated plain, or rather a basin, consisting of broad valleys and plains, and rises like a vineyard, in the form of separate terraces (Strauss, Sinai, p. 332). The remains of large massive buildings of great antiquity are still to be seen there, also some fountains, and two large subterraneous reservoirs (vid., Rob. Pal. ii. p. 136). When the Gibeonites heard of the fate of Jericho and Ai, they also did (something) with stratagem. In the expression המּה גּם ("they also") there is a reference implied to what Joshua had done at Jericho and Ai; not, however, to the stratagem resorted to in the case of Ai, as such an allusion would not apply to Jericho. They set out as ambassadors: יצטיּרוּ, from צרר, which occurs in every other instance in the form of a noun, signifying a messenger (Pro 13:17, etc.). In the Hithpael it means to make themselves ambassadors, to travel as ambassadors. The translators of the ancient versions, however, adopted the reading יצטיּדוּ, they provided themselves with food; but this was nothing more than a conjecture founded upon Jos 9:12, and without the slightest critical value. They also took "old sacks upon their asses, and old mended wineskins." מצררים, from צרר, lit. bound together, is very characteristic. There are two modes adopted in the East of repairing skins when torn, viz., inserting a patch, or tying up the piece that is torn in the form of a bag. Here the reference is to the latter, which was most in harmony with their statement, that the skins had got injured upon their long journey. Also "old mended sandals upon their feet, and old clothes upon them (upon their bodies); and all the bread of their provisions had become dry and quite mouldy." נקּדים, lit. furnished with points; נקוד, pointed, speckled (Gen 30:32.). Hence the rendering of the lxx, εὐρωτιῶν; Theod., βεβρωμένοι; Luther, schimmlicht, mouldy; whereas the rendering adopted by Aquila is ἐψαθυρωμένος; by Symmachus, κάπορος, i.e., adustus, torridus; and by the Vulgate, in frusta comminuti, i.e., crumbled.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Gibeon - A great and royal city of the Hivites.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The inhabitants of Gibeon heard - These alone did not join the confederation. Gibeon is supposed to have been the capital of the Hivites. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Benjamin, Jos 18:25, and was afterwards given to the priests, Jos 21:17. See the note on Jos 10:2.

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¹¹ Wherefore our elders [02205] and all the inhabitants [03427] of our country [0776] spake [0559] to us, saying [0559], Take [03947] victuals [06720] with you [03027] for the journey [01870], and go [03212] to meet [07125] them, and say [0559] unto them, We are your servants [05650]: therefore now make [03772] ye a league [01285] with us.

¹⁷ And the children [01121] of Israel [03478] journeyed [05265], and came [0935] unto their cities [05892] on the third [07992] day [03117]. Now their cities [05892] were Gibeon [01391], and Chephirah [03716], and Beeroth [0881], and Kirjathjearim [07157].

² That they feared [03372] greatly [03966], because Gibeon [01391] was a great [01419] city [05892], as one [0259] of the royal [04467] cities [05892], and because it was greater [01419] than Ai [05857], and all the men [0582] thereof were mighty [01368].

³ And when the inhabitants [03427] of Gibeon [01391] heard [08085] what Joshua [03091] had done [06213] unto Jericho [03405] and to Ai [05857],
⁴ They did work [06213] wilily [06195], and went [03212] and made as if they had been ambassadors [06737], and took [03947] old [01087] sacks [08242] upon their asses [02543], and wine [03196] bottles [04997], old [01087], and rent [01234], and bound up [06887];
⁵ And old [01087] shoes [05275] and clouted [02921] upon their feet [07272], and old [01087] garments [08008] upon them; and all the bread [03899] of their provision [06718] was dry [03001] and mouldy [05350].
⁶ And they went [03212] to Joshua [03091] unto the camp [04264] at Gilgal [01537], and said [0559] unto him, and to the men [0376] of Israel [03478], We be come [0935] from a far [07350] country [0776]: now therefore make [03772] ye a league [01285] with us.
⁷ And the men [0376] of Israel [03478] said [0559] unto the Hivites [02340], Peradventure [0194] ye dwell [03427] among [07130] us; and how shall we make [03772] a league [01285] with you?
⁸ And they said [0559] unto Joshua [03091], We are thy servants [05650]. And Joshua [03091] said [0559] unto them, Who are ye? and from whence [0370] come [0935] ye?
⁹ And they said [0559] unto him, From a very [03966] far [07350] country [0776] thy servants [05650] are come [0935] because of the name [08034] of the LORD [03068] thy God [0430]: for we have heard [08085] the fame [08089] of him, and all that he did [06213] in Egypt [04714],
¹⁰ And all that he did [06213] to the two [08147] kings [04428] of the Amorites [0567], that were beyond [05676] Jordan [03383], to Sihon [05511] king [04428] of Heshbon [02809], and to Og [05747] king [04428] of Bashan [01316], which was at Ashtaroth [06252].
¹¹ Wherefore our elders [02205] and all the inhabitants [03427] of our country [0776] spake [0559] to us, saying [0559], Take [03947] victuals [06720] with you [03027] for the journey [01870], and go [03212] to meet [07125] them, and say [0559] unto them, We are your servants [05650]: therefore now make [03772] ye a league [01285] with us.
¹² This our bread [03899] we took hot [02525] for our provision [06679] out of our houses [01004] on the day [03117] we came forth [03318] to go [03212] unto you; but now, behold, it is dry [03001], and it is mouldy [05350]:
¹³ And these bottles [04997] of wine [03196], which we filled [04390], were new [02319]; and, behold, they be rent [01234]: and these our garments [08008] and our shoes [05275] are become old [01086] by reason of the very [03966] long [07230] journey [01870].
¹⁴ And the men [0582] took [03947] of their victuals [06718], and asked [07592] not counsel at the mouth [06310] of the LORD [03068].
¹⁵ And Joshua [03091] made [06213] peace [07965] with them, and made [03772] a league [01285] with them, to let them live [02421]: and the princes [05387] of the congregation [05712] sware [07650] unto them.

²⁹ For the tabernacle [04908] of the LORD [03068], which Moses [04872] made [06213] in the wilderness [04057], and the altar [04196] of the burnt offering [05930], were at that season [06256] in the high place [01116] at Gibeon [01391].

³⁹ And Zadok [06659] the priest [03548], and his brethren [0251] the priests [03548], before [06440] the tabernacle [04908] of the LORD [03068] in the high place [01116] that was at Gibeon [01391],

²⁸ Then tidings [08052] came [0935] to Joab [03097]: for Joab [03097] had turned [05186] after [0310] Adonijah [0138], though he turned [05186] not after [0310] Absalom [053]. And Joab [03097] fled [05127] unto the tabernacle [0168] of the LORD [03068], and caught hold [02388] on the horns [07161] of the altar [04196].
²⁹ And it was told [05046] king [04428] Solomon [08010] that Joab [03097] was fled [05127] unto the tabernacle [0168] of the LORD [03068]; and, behold, he is by [0681] the altar [04196]. Then Solomon [08010] sent [07971] Benaiah [01141] the son [01121] of Jehoiada [03077], saying [0559], Go [03212], fall [06293] upon him.

⁴ Then said [0559] the king [04428] to Amasa [06021], Assemble [02199] me the men [0376] of Judah [03063] within three [07969] days [03117], and be thou here present [05975].
⁵ So Amasa [06021] went [03212] to assemble [02199] the men of Judah [03063]: but he tarried longer [0309] [03186] than the set time [04150] which he had appointed [03259] him.
⁶ And David [01732] said [0559] to Abishai [052], Now shall Sheba [07652] the son [01121] of Bichri [01075] do us more harm [03415] than did Absalom [053]: take [03947] thou thy lord's [0113] servants [05650], and pursue [07291] after [0310] him, lest he get [04672] him fenced [01219] cities [05892], and escape [05337] us [05869].
⁷ And there went out [03318] after [0310] him Joab's [03097] men [0582], and the Cherethites [03774], and the Pelethites [06432], and all the mighty men [01368]: and they went out [03318] of Jerusalem [03389], to pursue [07291] after [0310] Sheba [07652] the son [01121] of Bichri [01075].
⁸ When they were at the great [01419] stone [068] which is in Gibeon [01391], Amasa [06021] went [0935] before [06440] them. And Joab's [03097] garment [04055] that he had put on [03830] was girded [02296] unto him, and upon it a girdle [02289] with a sword [02719] fastened [06775] upon his loins [04975] in the sheath [08593] thereof; and as he went forth [03318] it fell out [05307].
⁹ And Joab [03097] said [0559] to Amasa [06021], Art thou in health [07965], my brother [0251]? And Joab [03097] took [0270] Amasa [06021] by the beard [02206] with the right [03225] hand [03027] to kiss [05401] him.
¹⁰ But Amasa [06021] took no heed [08104] to the sword [02719] that was in Joab's [03097] hand [03027]: so he smote [05221] him therewith in the fifth [02570] rib, and shed out [08210] his bowels [04578] to the ground [0776], and struck him not again [08138]; and he died [04191]. So Joab [03097] and Abishai [052] his brother [0251] pursued [07291] after [0310] Sheba [07652] the son [01121] of Bichri [01075].
¹¹ And one [0376] of Joab's [03097] men [05288] stood [05975] by him, and said [0559], He [04310] that favoureth [02654] Joab [03097], and he that is for David [01732], let him go after [0310] Joab [03097].
¹² And Amasa [06021] wallowed [01556] in blood [01818] in the midst [08432] of the highway [04546]. And when the man [0376] saw [07200] that all the people [05971] stood still [05975], he removed [05437] Amasa [06021] out of the highway [04546] into the field [07704], and cast [07993] a cloth [0899] upon him, when he saw [07200] that every one that came [0935] by him stood still [05975].
¹³ When he was removed [03014] out of the highway [04546], all the people [0376] went on [05674] after [0310] Joab [03097], to pursue [07291] after [0310] Sheba [07652] the son [01121] of Bichri [01075].

¹² And Abner [074] the son [01121] of Ner [05369], and the servants [05650] of Ishbosheth [0378] the son [01121] of Saul [07586], went out [03318] from Mahanaim [04266] to Gibeon [01391].
¹³ And Joab [03097] the son [01121] of Zeruiah [06870], and the servants [05650] of David [01732], went out [03318], and met [06298] together [03162] by the pool [01295] of Gibeon [01391]: and they sat down [03427], the one on the one side of the pool [01295], and the other on the other side of the pool [01295].
¹⁴ And Abner [074] said [0559] to Joab [03097], Let the young men [05288] now arise [06965], and play [07832] before [06440] us. And Joab [03097] said [0559], Let them arise [06965].
¹⁵ Then there arose [06965] and went over [05674] by number [04557] twelve [08147] [06240] of Benjamin [01144], which pertained to Ishbosheth [0378] the son [01121] of Saul [07586], and twelve [08147] [06240] of the servants [05650] of David [01732].
¹⁶ And they caught [02388] every one [0376] his fellow [07453] by the head [07218], and thrust his sword [02719] in his fellow's [07453] side [06654]; so they fell down [05307] together [03162]: wherefore that place [04725] was called [07121] Helkathhazzurim [02521], which is in Gibeon [01391].
¹⁷ And there was a very [03966] sore [07186] battle [04421] that day [03117]; and Abner [074] was beaten [05062], and the men [0582] of Israel [03478], before [06440] the servants [05650] of David [01732].

¹⁷ And out of the tribe [04294] of Benjamin [01144], Gibeon [01391] with her suburbs [04054], Geba [01387] with her suburbs [04054],

²⁵ Gibeon [01391], and Ramah [07414], and Beeroth [0881],

³ And when the inhabitants [03427] of Gibeon [01391] heard [08085] what Joshua [03091] had done [06213] unto Jericho [03405] and to Ai [05857],

⁴⁴ And the Amorites [0567], which dwelt [03427] in that mountain [02022], came out [03318] against [07125] you, and chased [07291] you, as bees [01682] do [06213], and destroyed [03807] you in Seir [08165], even unto Hormah [02767].

² And the king [04428] called [07121] the Gibeonites [01393], and said [0559] unto them; (now the Gibeonites [01393] were not of the children [01121] of Israel [03478], but of the remnant [03499] of the Amorites [0567]; and the children [01121] of Israel [03478] had sworn [07650] unto them: and Saul [07586] sought [01245] to slay [05221] them in his zeal [07065] to the children [01121] of Israel [03478] and Judah [03063].)

¹⁹ There was not a city [05892] that made peace [07999] with the children [01121] of Israel [03478], save the Hivites [02340] the inhabitants [03427] of Gibeon [01391]: all other they took [03947] in battle [04421].

³² I will pass [05674] through all thy flock [06629] to day [03117], removing [05493] from thence all the speckled [05348] and spotted [02921] cattle [07716], and all the brown [02345] cattle [07716] among the sheep [03775], and the spotted [02921] and speckled [05348] among the goats [05795]: and of such shall be my hire [07939].

¹² This our bread [03899] we took hot [02525] for our provision [06679] out of our houses [01004] on the day [03117] we came forth [03318] to go [03212] unto you; but now, behold, it is dry [03001], and it is mouldy [05350]:

¹⁷ A wicked [07563] messenger [04397] falleth [05307] into mischief [07451]: but a faithful [0529] ambassador [06735] is health [04832].

³ So Solomon [08010], and all the congregation [06951] with him, went [03212] to the high place [01116] that was at Gibeon [01391]; for there was the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150] of God [0430], which Moses [04872] the servant [05650] of the LORD [03068] had made [06213] in the wilderness [04057].

⁴ And the king [04428] went [03212] to Gibeon [01391] to sacrifice [02076] there; for that [01931] was the great [01419] high place [01116]: a thousand [0505] burnt offerings [05930] did Solomon [08010] offer [05927] upon that altar [04196].
⁵ In Gibeon [01391] the LORD [03068] appeared [07200] to Solomon [08010] in a dream [02472] by night [03915]: and God [0430] said [0559], Ask [07592] what I shall give [05414] thee.

¹⁷ And out of the tribe [04294] of Benjamin [01144], Gibeon [01391] with her suburbs [04054], Geba [01387] with her suburbs [04054],

²⁵ Gibeon [01391], and Ramah [07414], and Beeroth [0881],

⁷ So Joshua [03091] ascended [05927] from Gilgal [01537], he, and all the people [05971] of war [04421] with him, and all the mighty [01368] men of valour [02428].

¹⁷ And out of the tribe [04294] of Benjamin [01144], Gibeon [01391] with her suburbs [04054], Geba [01387] with her suburbs [04054],

²⁵ Gibeon [01391], and Ramah [07414], and Beeroth [0881],