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Thursday, May 15th, 2025
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Read the Bible
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Joshua 9:19
But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
All the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
All the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Hebrew Names Version
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Yisra'el: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Yisra'el: now therefore we may not touch them.
King James Version
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Lexham English Bible
But all the leaders of the congregation said, "We have sworn to them by Yahweh the God of Israel, and so we cannot touch them.
But all the leaders of the congregation said, "We have sworn to them by Yahweh the God of Israel, and so we cannot touch them.
English Standard Version
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord , the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord , the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
New Century Version
But the leaders answered, "We have given our promise before the Lord , the God of Israel, so we cannot attack them now.
But the leaders answered, "We have given our promise before the Lord , the God of Israel, so we cannot attack them now.
New English Translation
but all the leaders told the whole community, "We swore an oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. So now we can't hurt them!
but all the leaders told the whole community, "We swore an oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. So now we can't hurt them!
Amplified Bible
But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
New American Standard Bible
But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: nowe therefore we may not touch them.
Then all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: nowe therefore we may not touch them.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
Then all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.
Contemporary English Version
but the leaders reminded them, "We promised these people in the name of the Lord God of Israel that we would let them live, so we must not harm them. If we break our promise, God will punish us. We'll let them live, but we'll make them cut wood and carry water for our people."
but the leaders reminded them, "We promised these people in the name of the Lord God of Israel that we would let them live, so we must not harm them. If we break our promise, God will punish us. We'll let them live, but we'll make them cut wood and carry water for our people."
Complete Jewish Bible
However, the leaders replied to the whole community, "We have sworn to them by Adonai , the God of Isra'el; so we can't touch them.
However, the leaders replied to the whole community, "We have sworn to them by Adonai , the God of Isra'el; so we can't touch them.
Darby Translation
And all the princes said to all the assembly, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
And all the princes said to all the assembly, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
Easy-to-Read Version
But the leaders answered, "We have given our promise. We promised before the Lord , the God of Israel. We cannot fight against them now.
But the leaders answered, "We have given our promise. We promised before the Lord , the God of Israel. We cannot fight against them now.
George Lamsa Translation
But the princes said to the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore we cannot harm them.
But the princes said to the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore we cannot harm them.
Good News Translation
but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.
but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.
Literal Translation
And all the leaders said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Jehovah the God of Israel; and now we cannot touch them.
And all the leaders said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Jehovah the God of Israel; and now we cannot touch them.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
all the rulers sayde vnto the whole congregacion: We haue sworne vnto them by the LORDE the God of Israel, therfore maye we not touch them.
all the rulers sayde vnto the whole congregacion: We haue sworne vnto them by the LORDE the God of Israel, therfore maye we not touch them.
American Standard Version
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Bible in Basic English
But all the chiefs said to the people, We have taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we may not put our hands on them.
But all the chiefs said to the people, We have taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we may not put our hands on them.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But all the princes sayde vnto all the congregation: We haue sworne vnto them by the Lorde God of Israel, and therfore we may not hurt them.
But all the princes sayde vnto all the congregation: We haue sworne vnto them by the Lorde God of Israel, and therfore we may not hurt them.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But all the princes said unto all the congregation: 'We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel; now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said unto all the congregation: 'We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel; now therefore we may not touch them.
King James Version (1611)
But all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.
And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.
English Revised Version
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Berean Standard Bible
All the leaders answered, "We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
All the leaders answered, "We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
whiche answeriden to hem, We sworen to hem in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and therfor we moun not touche hem;
whiche answeriden to hem, We sworen to hem in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and therfor we moun not touche hem;
Young's Literal Translation
And all the princes say unto all the company, `We -- we have sworn to them by Jehovah, God of Israel; and now, we are not able to come against them;
And all the princes say unto all the company, `We -- we have sworn to them by Jehovah, God of Israel; and now, we are not able to come against them;
Update Bible Version
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Webster's Bible Translation
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
World English Bible
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
New King James Version
Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.
Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.
New Living Translation
But the leaders replied, "Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord , the God of Israel, we cannot touch them.
But the leaders replied, "Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord , the God of Israel, we cannot touch them.
New Life Bible
Then all the leaders said to all the people, "We have made a promise to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Now we cannot touch them.
Then all the leaders said to all the people, "We have made a promise to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Now we cannot touch them.
New Revised Standard
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord , the God of Israel, and now we must not touch them.
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord , the God of Israel, and now we must not touch them.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And all the princes said unto all the assembly, We, have sworn unto them, by Yahweh, God of Israel, - now, therefore, we may not touch them.
And all the princes said unto all the assembly, We, have sworn unto them, by Yahweh, God of Israel, - now, therefore, we may not touch them.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
Revised Standard Version
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
THE MESSAGE
The leaders were united in their response to the congregation: "We promised them in the presence of the God of Israel. We can't lay a hand on them now. But we can do this: We will let them live so we don't get blamed for breaking our promise." Then the leaders continued, "We'll let them live, but they will be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire congregation." And that's what happened; the leaders' promise was kept.
The leaders were united in their response to the congregation: "We promised them in the presence of the God of Israel. We can't lay a hand on them now. But we can do this: We will let them live so we don't get blamed for breaking our promise." Then the leaders continued, "We'll let them live, but they will be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire congregation." And that's what happened; the leaders' promise was kept.
Contextual Overview
15 Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. 16 It came about at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land. 17 Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. 18 The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.20 "This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be upon us for the oath which we swore to them." 21 The leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
We have: Joshua 9:20, Ecclesiastes 8:2, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Jeremiah 4:2
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:15 - Swear 2 Chronicles 16:3 - break 2 Chronicles 36:13 - who had
Cross-References
Genesis 5:32
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 8:17
"Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."
"Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."
Genesis 9:2
"The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.
"The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.
Genesis 9:4
"Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
"Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
Genesis 9:28
Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.
Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But all the princes said to all the congregation,.... That is, all the princes that went to Gibeon addressed all the Israelites that were there:
we have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel; by the Word of the Lord God, as the Targum; an oath is a solemn sacred thing, and not to be broken, and a good man will make conscience of it, and keep it, though he has sworn to his own hurt: and
now therefore we may not touch them; neither take away their lives nor their substance.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Joshua 9:19. We have sworn unto them — Although the Israelites were deceived in this business, and the covenant was made on a certain supposition which was afterwards proved to have had no foundation in truth, and consequently the whole engagement on the part of the deceived was hereby vitiated and rendered null and void; yet, because the elders had eaten with them, offered a covenant sacrifice, and sworn by Jehovah, they did not consider themselves at liberty to break the terms of the agreement, as far as the lives of the Gibeonites were concerned. That their conduct in this respect was highly pleasing to God is evident from this, that Joshua is nowhere reprehended for making this covenant, and sparing the Gibeonites; and that Saul, who four hundred years after this thought himself and the Israelites loosed from this obligation, and in consequence oppressed and destroyed the Gibeonites, was punished for the breach of this treaty, being considered as the violator of a most solemn oath and covenant engagement. See 2 Samuel 21:2-9, and Ezekiel 17:18-19.
All these circumstances laid together, prove that the command to destroy the Canaanites was not so absolute as is generally supposed: and should be understood as rather referring to the destruction of the political existence of the Canaanitish nations, than to the destruction of their lives. See the notes on Deuteronomy 20:10; Deuteronomy 20:17.
