Joshua 9:5

They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Gibeonite envoys stand before Joshua and the Israelite leaders at the camp in Gilgal, presenting themselves after a long journey to propose a treaty.

The words — The text highlights בָּל֤וֹת (ba.Lot), meaning worn out, and מְטֻלָּאוֹת (me.tu.la.OT), meaning patched, to describe the condition of their sandals and garments.

The thread — The motif of footwear and garments appears in Luke 15:22 where sandals restore a prodigal son, Deuteronomy 29:5 where divine provision prevents clothing wear, and Deuteronomy 33:25 where iron and bronze gates symbolize enduring strength.

Why it lands — The description demands verification of external appearances against stated origins, warning against accepting claims based solely on physical evidence.

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

וּנְעָל֨וֹתu./ne.'a.Lotand/ sandals בָּל֤וֹתba.Lotworn out וּמְטֻלָּאוֹת֙u./me.tu.la.'Otand/ patched בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔םbe./rag.lei./Hem[were] on/ feet/ their וּשְׂלָמ֥וֹתu./se.la.Motand/ garments בָּל֖וֹתba.Lotworn out עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם'a.lei./Hem[were] on/ them וְכֹל֙ve./Kholand/ all לֶ֣חֶםLe.chem[the] bread of צֵידָ֔םtzei.Da/mprovision[s]/ their יָבֵ֖שׁya.Veshit was dried up הָיָ֥הha.Yahit was נִקֻּדִֽים׃ni.ku.Dimcrumbs

King James Version

And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

Cross-references

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Deuteronomy 29:5 For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
Deuteronomy 33:25 May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days.”
Joshua 9:13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”