Joshua 9:11

Arabic Bible ERV 2009

فَقالَ لَنا شُيُوخُنا وَكُلُّ شَعبِ أرْضِنا: ‹خُذُوا طَعاماً فِي أيدِيكُمْ لِلطَّرِيقِ وَاذْهَبُوا لِلِقائِهِمْ، وَقُولُوا لَهُمْ: نَحنُ خُدّامُكُمْ. فَاقطَعُوا مَعَنا عَهداً.›

What Does This Mean?

The inhabitants of Gibeon are telling Joshua and his army that their leaders instructed them to prepare food for the journey to meet Joshua's army and to ask for a peace treaty. They are presenting themselves as servants to negotiate a peaceful alliance.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your friends are playing with another group, and your parents tell you to bring snacks to meet them and ask if you can play together. That's what the people of Gibeon did to make friends with Joshua's group.

Historical Background

Joshua 9:11 is part of the Book of Joshua, written by Joshua or a contemporary historian. It was written around 1400 BC for the Israelites. The cultural setting involves the Israelites entering the promised land and encountering various Canaanite cities, including Gibeon.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, this verse can be seen as an example of diplomacy and negotiation. For instance, if a new company wants to form a partnership with a larger corporation, they might prepare carefully and present themselves as willing to serve and cooperate.

Topics

• diplomacy
• negotiation
• peace
• strategy
• alliance
• leadership

Related Verses

• Genesis 21:22-34
• Exodus 23:32
• Deuteronomy 7:2
• 2 Samuel 21:1-2
• Matthew 5:44

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Gibeonites pretend to be from a far-off place?

The Gibeonites pretended to be from a far-off place to avoid being destroyed, as Joshua had been commanded to destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan.

What does this verse teach about communication?

This verse teaches the importance of clear and careful communication, especially in negotiations where the stakes are high.

How does this relate to the larger story of Joshua?

This event is part of the larger narrative of Joshua and the Israelites taking possession of the promised land and dealing with the existing inhabitants.

What can we learn about leadership from this verse?

Leadership involves making strategic decisions based on the advice and counsel of elders and community members, as seen in the Gibeonites' approach.