Joshua 9:24 is the Gibeonites’ explanation for why they tricked Israel into a treaty. They admit they disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land because they had heard that the LORD had given Israel the land and commanded the destruction of its inhabitants, and they were terrified of what would happen to them. The words are spoken by the leaders of Gibeon, a Canaanite city, to Joshua, the commander who had succeeded Moses and was leading Israel into the land.
They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Joshua 9:24 (WEB)
What Joshua 9:24 Means
The verse opens with “Because your servants were certainly told,” which tells us the Gibeonites are not making a random claim. Word had reached them about what the LORD had done for Israel, including the promise that Moses had passed on concerning the land. The phrase “certainly told” signals that the report was reliable enough to frighten them, and that they had no doubt about its truth.
The second half of the verse, “we were very afraid for our lives because of you,” shows the motive behind their deception. Their plan was not an act of faith but an act of self-protection. They wanted to avoid the fate they had heard was coming to the inhabitants of Canaan. The verse does not promise that a disguise will save anyone. It simply records what they believed and what they did in response.
The Context of Joshua 9:24
Joshua is traditionally attributed to Joshua himself, with the account of his death likely added later, and it tells how Israel entered and settled the land after the wilderness years. Its first audience was the people of Israel, who needed to understand how their covenant with God shaped their life in a new place. The book records both conquest and the complicated relationships Israel formed with the people already living there.
The verses just before this one describe the Gibeonites being exposed as neighbors, not distant travelers, and Joshua pronouncing a curse on them. Verse 24 is their reply to that rebuke. They do not defend themselves with excuses. They explain their fear and then place themselves at Joshua’s mercy in verse 25. Reading the verse alongside this exchange makes clear that it is a confession under pressure, not a boast of clever strategy.
Key Phrases in Joshua 9:24
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
(WEB)
This verse speaks directly to fear and trust, showing the psalmist turning from his fear toward God. It offers a model for the Gibeonites’ situation, contrasting a response built on trust with one built on deception.
Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
(WEB)
This proverb addresses the heart of the Gibeonites’ act, drawing a clear line between deceit and faithfulness. It helps readers see why Joshua 9:24 describes a lie that cannot ultimately protect anyone.
A Short Prayer From Joshua 9:24
Lord, you know the fears I carry and the moments when I want to protect myself by saying less than the truth. When I feel afraid, help me bring that fear to you rather than hiding it behind half-stories or quiet evasions. Give me the courage to be honest, trusting that you see me clearly and care for what happens to me. Teach me to rely on your faithfulness, even when the honest path feels costly. Amen.
