Joshua 9:19 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

But all the leaders said to the entire community, 'We have made a promise to them in the name of the LORD God of Israel, so now we cannot harm them.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The leaders are explaining that they must keep their promise to the Gibeonites because they swore an oath in God's name, even though they were deceived.

📚 Historical Context

The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua and the Israelite leaders into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land, when they were actually neighbors who should have been conquered. When the deception was discovered, the people wanted to attack the Gibeonites, but the leaders realized they were bound by their oath made in God's name.

Explore Similar Verses

Joshua 9:21

The leaders said to them, 'Let them live, but they will cut wood and carry water for the whole community, just as the leaders had promised them.'

Jeremiah 30:21

Their leaders will come from among their own people, and their ruler will rise up from within their community. I will bring him close to me, and he will come near to me. After all, who would dare to come close to me on their own? says the LORD.

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📚 Historical Context

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