Joshua 9:25

Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Gibeonite delegation speaks to Joshua and the Israelite leadership at the moment of judgment, submitting themselves to his authority after their deception is exposed.

The words — The phrase בְּיָדֶךָ (bə-yā-de-kha) literally means "in your hand," while כַּטּוֹב וְכַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינֶיךָ (ka-tōḇ wə-ka-yāšār bə-ʿê-nê-kha) translates as "according to the good and right in your eyes."

The thread — This posture of total submission appears in Genesis 16:6, Judges 10:15, and Jeremiah 26:14.

Why it lands — The text places the speaker entirely under the judgment of the listener, requiring the reader to acknowledge that authority and justice rest with the one holding power.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְעַתָּ֖הve./'a.Tahand/ therefore הִנְנ֣וּhi./Nuhere/ we בְיָדֶ֑ךָve./ya.De./kha[are] in/ hand/ your כַּטּ֨וֹבka./Tovaccording to the/ good וְכַיָּשָׁ֧רve./kha/i.ya.Sharand/ according to the/ right בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָbe./'ei.Nei./khain/ view/ your לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla./'a.Sotto/ doלָ֖נוּLa./nuto <the>/ usעֲשֵֽׂה׃'a.Sehdo

King James Version

And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

Cross-references

Genesis 16:6 “Here,” said Abram, “your servant is in your hands. Do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she fled from her.
Judges 10:15 “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!”
Jeremiah 26:14 As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.
Judges 8:15 And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”
1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”
2 Samuel 24:14 David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”
Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.
Jeremiah 38:5 “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”
Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.