New International Versionbut all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.
New Living TranslationBut the leaders replied, “Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the LORD, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them.
English Standard VersionBut all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
Berean Standard BibleAll the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
King James BibleBut 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.
New King James VersionThen all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.
New American Standard BibleBut all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
NASB 1995But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
NASB 1977But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Legacy Standard BibleThen all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
Amplified BibleBut all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
Christian Standard BibleAll the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAll the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
American Standard VersionBut all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
English Revised VersionBut all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBut all the leaders said to them, "We have sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel, so we cannot touch them now.
Good News Translationbut they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the LORD God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.
International Standard VersionThen all of the leaders spoke to the entire congregation, "We have sworn to them in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them.
NET Biblebut all the leaders told the whole community, "We swore an oath to them in the name of the LORD God of Israel. So now we can't hurt them!
New Heart English BibleBut all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel; and now therefore we may not touch them.
Webster's Bible TranslationBut all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAll the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
World English BibleBut all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd all the princes say to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by YHWH, God of Israel; and now, we are not able to come against them;
Young's Literal Translation And all the princes say unto all the company, 'We -- we have sworn to them by Jehovah, God of Israel; and now, we are not able to come against them;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd all the chiefs will say to all the assembly, We sware to them by Jehovah the God of Israel: and now we shall not be able to touch upon them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd they responded to them: “We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and for that reason, we are not able to touch them.
New American Biblethese all remonstrated with the community, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and so we cannot harm them.
New Revised Standard VersionBut all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we must not touch them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the princes said to the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore we cannot harm them.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the Princes of the assembly were saying : “We swore to them by LORD JEHOVAH the God of Israel, therefore we cannot harm them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But all the princes said unto all the congregation: 'We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel; now therefore we may not touch them.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Deceit of the Gibeonites… 18But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. 19Allthe leadersanswered,“Wehave sworn an oathto themby the LORD,the Godof Israel,and nowwe cannottouchthem.20This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”…
Cross References Numbers 30:2If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Psalm 15:4who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
Judges 11:35As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”
2 Samuel 21:1-2During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)
1 Samuel 14:24-28Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...
2 Kings 12:15No accounting was required from the men who received the money to pay the workmen, because they acted with integrity.
2 Chronicles 6:22-23When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
Ezekiel 17:18-19He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Seeing that he gave his hand in pledge yet did all these things, he will not escape!’ / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, I will bring down upon his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.
Matthew 5:33-37Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...
James 5:12Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Romans 13:1-2Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Hebrews 6:16-18Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. / So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. / Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
Galatians 3:15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.
Treasury of Scripture But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. We have Joshua 9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. Ecclesiastes 8:2 Icounsel thee to keep the king's commandment, andthat in regard of the oath of God. Ecclesiastes 9:2 Allthings come alike to all:there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: asis the good, sois the sinner;and he that sweareth, ashe that feareth an oath. Jump to Previous AbleAssemblyChiefsCompanyCongregationHandsIsraelLeadersOathPrincesSwornTouchWholeJump to Next AbleAssemblyChiefsCompanyCongregationHandsIsraelLeadersOathPrincesSwornTouchWholeJoshua 9 1.The kings combine against Israel3.The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league22.They are condemned to perpetual bondageAll the leaders answeredThis phrase indicates a collective response from the leaders of Israel, highlighting the importance of unity and consensus in decision-making. In the context of ancient Israel, leadership was often a shared responsibility among elders and tribal heads, reflecting a communal approach to governance. This collective decision-making process is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the council of elders in Exodus 3:16. We have sworn an oath to them
Oaths were considered sacred and binding in ancient Israelite culture, as seen inNumbers 30:2. Breaking an oath was not only a breach of trust but also a sin against God. The leaders' acknowledgment of the oath underscores the seriousness with which they regarded their promises, even when made under deceptive circumstances, as was the case with the Gibeonites. by the LORD, the God of Israel
Invoking the name of the LORD in an oath added a divine witness to the promise, making it irrevocable. This reflects the deep reverence for God's name and the understanding that He is the ultimate authority and witness to human actions. The use of God's name in oaths is addressed inLeviticus 19:12, emphasizing the need for truthfulness and integrity. and now we cannot touch them
This phrase indicates the leaders' recognition of the binding nature of their oath, despite the Gibeonites' deception. It reflects the principle that faithfulness to one's word is paramount, even when it is inconvenient or costly. This principle is echoed inPsalm 15:4, which describes a righteous person as one who "keeps an oath even when it hurts." The leaders' decision to honor the oath, despite the circumstances, demonstrates a commitment to integrity and obedience to God's commands. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the Israelites. 2. The GibeonitesA group of people from the city of Gibeon who deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who are in the process of conquering the Promised Land as commanded by God. 4. The Leaders of the AssemblyThe elders and leaders of Israel who are responsible for upholding the covenant made with the Gibeonites. 5. The CovenantAn agreement made between the Israelites and the Gibeonites, which was sworn in the name of the LORD. Teaching Points The Importance of IntegrityThe Israelites' decision to honor their covenant with the Gibeonites, despite being deceived, underscores the importance of integrity and keeping one's word. As believers, we are called to uphold our commitments, reflecting God's faithfulness. The Consequences of Rash DecisionsJoshua and the leaders failed to seek God's guidance before making the covenant. This serves as a reminder to seek divine wisdom in our decisions to avoid unintended consequences. God's Sovereignty in Our MistakesDespite the Israelites' error, God used the situation for His purposes. This teaches us that God can redeem our mistakes and work them for good. The Role of LeadershipThe leaders of Israel had to make a difficult decision to uphold the covenant. This highlights the responsibility of leaders to act with integrity and wisdom, even in challenging situations. The Power of OathsThe Israelites' commitment to their oath, even when it was made under false pretenses, demonstrates the seriousness with which God views our promises. We should be careful and deliberate in making commitments. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Joshua 9:19?
2.How can we honor commitments, as Israel did in Joshua 9:19?
3.What does Joshua 9:19 teach about integrity in our promises?
4.How does Joshua 9:19 connect with Jesus' teachings on honesty?
5.How can we apply Joshua 9:19 to modern-day agreements and contracts?
6.What lessons on leadership can we learn from Israel's response in Joshua 9:19?
7.Why did the Israelites honor the treaty with the Gibeonites despite being deceived?
8.How does Joshua 9:19 reflect on the importance of keeping oaths?
9.What does Joshua 9:19 teach about the consequences of not seeking God's counsel?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9?
11.What is the identity of the Gibeonites?
12.Why would an omniscient God allow His leaders to be misled in such a strategic event (Joshua 9)?
13.What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible?
14.Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)?What Does Joshua 9:19 Mean All the leaders answered- The response comes from those who bear public authority. Leadership in Israel was never a private matter; decisions bound the whole community (seeDeuteronomy 1:13;Hebrews 13:17). - By speaking with one voice, the officials model corporate accountability. They cannot hide behind individual opinions once a collective commitment has been made. - Their reply also recognizes that God expects leaders to act with integrity in the sight of the people (compare1 Samuel 12:3–5).
We have sworn an oath to them- An oath is more than a promise; it is a binding covenant.Numbers 30:2 insists, “When a man makes a vow to the LORD… he must not break his word.” -Psalm 15:4 praises the one “who keeps his oath, even when it hurts,” highlighting personal cost as no excuse for breaking a pledge. -Ecclesiastes 5:4 warns, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.” The leaders realize delay is itself disobedience. - The context inJoshua 9 shows that the Gibeonites deceived Israel, yet the vow remains valid; truthfulness is anchored in the oath, not in the worthiness of the other party.
by the LORD, the God of Israel- Invoking God’s name elevates the oath to sacred status.Leviticus 19:12 prohibits swearing falsely “by My name,” whileDeuteronomy 6:13 commands, “Take your oaths in His name.” - A covenant “by the LORD” makes God the witness and guarantor. To break it would profane His character (compareJoshua 23:16). - Jesus later echoes the gravity of such vows inMatthew 5:34–37, urging simple truthfulness so that extravagant oaths become unnecessary.
and now we cannot touch them- “Cannot” is moral, not merely practical. The leaders are constrained by obedience to God, even if military logic argues otherwise. - Saul’s later violation of this very covenant brings a three-year famine (2 Samuel 21:1–2), proving that God still holds Israel responsible generations afterward. -Romans 12:17 instructs, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” Though deceived, Israel must honor righteousness over retaliation. - Integrity safeguards witness; keeping a hard promise shines brighter than any victory gained by breaking it.
summary-Joshua 9:19 highlights leadership accountability, the binding nature of vows, the holiness of God’s name, and the ethical priority of covenant integrity. - The verse urges believers today to let their “Yes” be “Yes” (Matthew 5:37), trusting God to honor obedience even when it feels costly or inconvenient. (19) We have sworn unto them . . . therefore we may not touch them.--Although the covenant was obtained from the Israelites by false pretences, yet, being made in the name of Jehovah, it could not be broken; it was His covenant. "He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not," is commended in Psalm 15:4. We should notice that the law of Jehovah had raised the tone of morality in this particular. There are many Christians who would not hesitate to repudiate an agreement concluded under false pretences.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Allכָל־(ḵāl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe leadersהַנְּשִׂיאִים֙(han·nə·śî·’îm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5387:An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mistanswered,וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ(way·yō·mə·rū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Weאֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙(’ă·naḥ·nū)Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587:Wehave sworn an oathנִשְׁבַּ֣עְנוּ(niš·ba‘·nū)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7650:To seven oneself, swearto them by the LORD,בַּֽיהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelthe Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י(’ĕ·lō·hê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeof Israel,יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descand nowוְעַתָּ֕ה(wə·‘at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timewe cannotלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, notouchלִנְגֹּ֥עַ(lin·gō·a‘)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5060:To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strikethem.בָּהֶֽם׃(bā·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew
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OT History: Joshua 9:19 But all the princes said to all (Josh. Jos) |
