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Joshua 9:7

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 9:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?
Joshua 9:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and bound up,
5and old and patched shoes upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become mouldy.
6And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We are come from a far country: now therefore make ye a covenant with us.
7And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?
8And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
9And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of Jehovah thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
10and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
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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
“And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, etc.] Though they did not know them to be such, but as they afterwards appeared to be the Hivites, as the Gibeonites were, they are here so called, (see <061119>Joshua 11:19). The name signifies “serpents”; according to a Derash, or mystical exposition, mentioned by Kimchi, the Gibeonites are so called, because they did the work of the serpent; that is to say, they deceived the Israelites, as the serpent deceived Eve: peradventure ye dwell among us; of which they had some suspicion; and how shall we make a league with you? which they were forbid to do with any of the seven nations, (<050702>Deuteronomy 7:2).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us--The answer of the Israelites implied that they had no discretion, that their orders were imperative, and that if the strangers belonged to any of the native tribes, the idea of an alliance with them was unlawful since God had forbidden it (Exo 23:32; Exo 34:12; Deu 7:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Hivites - That is, the Gibeonites who were Hivites, Jos 11:19. Among us - That is, in this land, and so are of that people with whom we are forbidden to make any league or covenant. Joshua 9:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:7-8 The name Hivites is known only from the Bible and refers to a non-Semitic ethnic group that lived in various parts of Canaan (see Gen 34:2; 36:2; Exod 23:23, 28). • How do we know you don’t live nearby? Israel’s leaders raised the possibility of deception. Joshua followed the Gibeonites’ evasive reply by asking two direct questions. However, Joshua could have received a direct answer by consulting the Lord (Josh 9:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hivites: Jos 11:19; Gen 10:17, Gen 34:2; Exo 3:8 how shall: Exo 23:31-33, Exo 34:12; Num 33:52; Deu 7:2, Deu 7:3, Deu 20:16; Jdg 2:2 Joshua 9:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification