Joshua 9:24
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy 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 sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Joshua 9:24 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the Israelites are explaining to Joshua why they have agreed to make a treaty with him. They mention that they had heard about how the Lord had commanded Moses to give them the land and to destroy all its inhabitants. As a result, they were afraid for their lives and decided to make peace with the Israelites. This verse highlights the power and authority of God in commanding His people to possess the land He promised to them. It also demonstrates the fear and reverence the neighboring nations had for the Israelites because of their strong God who fought on their behalf. The Israelites' obedience to God's commands led to their enemies recognizing the greatness of their God and submitting to His will. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions and the impact it can have on those around us.
Theological Overview
This passage from Joshua 9:24 reveals a theological interpretation that highlights the fear and reverence the inhabitants of the land had for the God of Israel. The word "sore afraid" used in the text emphasizes the depth of their fear, recognizing the power and authority of the God of Israel. The use of this phrase demonstrates the acknowledgement of God's divine command to Moses to give the land to the Israelites and destroy its inhabitants. The inhabitants' response reflects their understanding of God's sovereignty and their submission to His will. Through this theological lens, we see how the fear of the Lord can lead to obedience and awe in the face of His mighty deeds. Additionally, a word study of the phrase "sore afraid" in the original Hebrew context reveals a sense of dread and terror, underscoring the inhabitants' realization of the consequences of disobeying God's commands. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of fearing and obeying the Lord, even in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
Joshua 9:24 in other translations
American Standard Version
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Jehovah thy 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 sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
World English Bible
They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh 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.
Douay-Rheims
They answered: It was told us, thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses, to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives, compelled by the dread we had of you, and we took this counsel.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they answered Ioshua, and sayd, Because it was tolde thy seruants, that the Lord thy God had commanded his seruant Moses to giue you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight, therefore we were exceeding sore afraid for our liues at the presence of you, and haue done this thing: