Bible Strands
Joshua 9:8
“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Gibeonite delegation speaks to Joshua and the Israelite leaders immediately after claiming to be travelers from a distant land. Joshua immediately responds with a direct inquiry about their identity and geographic origin.
The words — עֲבָדֶ֣י/ךָ ('a.va.Dei./kha) = [are] servants/ your and אֲנָ֑חְנוּ ('a.Na.che.nu) = we form the core declaration of submission. Joshua’s reply uses וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר (va/i.Yo.mer) = and/ he said to frame his direct interrogation.
The thread — Deuteronomy 20:11 outlines the treaty terms for nations that accept peace, while Joshua 9:11 records the exact phrase the elders instructed the delegation to use. 2 Kings 10:5 echoes the same submission language when officials address Jehu.
Why it lands — The text records a verbal exchange that precedes a binding covenant, requiring the reader to note how strategic language initiates political negotiation. It asks the reader to observe how immediate inquiry follows a claim of servitude before any agreement is finalized.
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
King James Version
And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 20:11 If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.
- 2 Kings 10:5 So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”
- Joshua 9:11 So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’
- Genesis 9:25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
- Joshua 9:23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
- Joshua 9:25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
- Joshua 9:27 On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.
- 1 Kings 9:20 As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—