Bible Commentaries

the Canaanite, the Perizzite. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and the Canaanite and the Perizzite".

accord. Hebrew "mouth" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is said by it: i.e. one consent.

inhabitants. The Gibeonires were Hivites (Joshua 9:7), condemned to extermination as mixed with the descendants of the Nephilim (App-26). Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12-15. Numbers 33:51-56. Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 7:2; Deuteronomy 20:16. They were aware of this. Hence their mission; by which they exposed themselves to the enmity of the other nations (Joshua 10:1-4).

Gibeon = High place. About six and a half miles from Beth-el, eight miles north-north-west of Jerusalem.

what. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "all that".

They They too.

made as if they had been ambassadors. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "furnished themselves with provisions", as in Joshua 9:11 and Joshua 9:12.

bottles = skins i.e. wine-skins.

clouted = patched (Anglo-Saxon, clut.)

mouldy = become crumbly.

men. Heb, "ish. App-14.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

God. Hebrew Elobim. App-4.

with you, Hebrew in your hand,

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. Ap. 6,

the men. Hebrew, plural of ish or "enosh. App-14

took of their victuals. Probably tasted, or partook of their food; or, ate with them--a token of friendship.

asked not: i.e. by "Urim and Thummim". Compare Exodus 28:30, note.

mouth. Put by Figure of speech Melonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the counsel given by the mouth.

children = sons.

made a league = solemnised a covenant.

be = become.

promised. Compare Joshua 9:15.

commanded. Compare Deuteronomy 7:1-5.

our lives = our souls. Hebrew. Nephesh. See App-13.

LORD. There is an Homoeoteleuton (App-6) here, preserved in the Septuagint; a scribe going back to the former of the two words "Lord"; and reading " the altar of Jehovah [and the inhabitants of Gibeon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of Jehovah]", even unto this day, &c.

even. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-8), thus = "[as they are] even".

in = for.