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Joshua 9:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 9:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
Joshua 9:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
18And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
19But 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.
20This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
21And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken unto them.
22And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
23Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
← Joshua 9:19Joshua 9:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“This we will do to them, etc.] Either this favour we will show them, preserving their lives, next mentioned, or this punishment we will inflict on them, making them hewers of wood, and drawers of water; which though not mentioned directly, was what was upon their minds, and in their design to propose, only they were extremely desirous of sparing their lives, which they repeat: we will even let them live; this by all means must be done, their lives must not be taken away as the rest of the Canaanites: lest wrath come upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them; that is, lest the wrath of God come upon us princes, and upon the whole community, for perjury, a breach of the third…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“lest wrath: Sa2 21:1-6; Ch2 36:13; Pro 20:25; Eze 17:12-21; Zac 5:3, Zac 5:4; Mal 3:5; Rom 1:31; Ti1 1:10 Joshua 9:21”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification