_THE GUILE OF THE GIBEONITES, AND THE LEAGUE WHICH THEY SECURED_ CRITICAL NOTES.— Joshua 9:1. On this side Jordan]—_Lit_., beyond Jordan; meaning the western side. The historian contemplates the invasion as having been made from the country east of Jordan. Hills … valleys … coasts] By “the hills” i... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA 9:3. THE INHABITANTS OF GIBEON] “Gibeon was a city situated, as its name indicates, upon a hill. It was about forty stadia from Jerusalem, according to _Josephus_, _Ant_. vii. 11. 7 (50 according to his _Bell. Jud_. ii. 19. 1), on the road towards Beth-horon and Lydda. In size it surpassed Ai... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Joshua 9:8. We are thy servants] This was not a declaration of fealty, but is rather to be read as an expression of courtesy (Genesis 32:4; Genesis 1:18), very adroitly introduced to turn aside the pointed question, which, however, Joshua abruptly presses back upon them. JOSHUA 9:1... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Joshua 9:17. On the third day] That is the same as “at the end of three days” in Joshua 9:16. “The armed men would move from Gilgal to Gibeon (about twelve miles) in the same day on which the news was heard” (_Crosby_). Keil, with more apparent accuracy, reckons Gibeon as eighteen... [ Continue Reading ]