Joshua 9:16
New International Version
Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them.

New Living Translation
Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby!

English Standard Version
At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them.

Berean Standard Bible
Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them.

King James Bible
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

New King James Version
And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.

New American Standard Bible
However, 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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened at the end of three days after they had cut a covenant with them, that they heard that they were near them and that they were living nearly among them.

Amplified Bible
It happened that three days after they had made a covenant (treaty) with them, the Israelites heard that they were [actually] their neighbors and that they were living among them.

Christian Standard Bible
Three days after making the treaty with them, they heard that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living among them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Three days after making the treaty with them, they heard that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living among them.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But three days after the treaty was made, the Israelites heard that these people were their neighbors and lived with them.

Good News Translation
Three days after the treaty had been made, the Israelites learned that these people did indeed live nearby.

International Standard Version
But three days after they had made the treaty with them, they learned that they were their neighbors and were living in their midst.

Majority Standard Bible
Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them.

NET Bible
Three days after they made the treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from the local area and lived nearby.

New Heart English Bible
It happened at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

World English Bible
At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, that at the end of three days after they have made a covenant with them, that they hear that they [are] their neighbors—that they are dwelling in their midst.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the end of three days after that they have made with them a covenant, that they hear that they are their neighbours -- that in their midst they are dwelling.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be from the end of three days after they cut out a covenant to them, and they will hear that they are near to him, and they dwell in the midst of him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now three days after the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, three days after the pact was formed, they heard that they lived in the vicinity, and that they would soon be among them.

New American Bible
Three days after the covenant was made, the Israelites heard that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
But when three days had passed after they had made a treaty with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and were living among them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at the end of three days after they had made the treaty with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And after three days after they gave to them the right hand, they heard that they were neighbors to them and that they had been encamping among them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Deceit of the Gibeonites
15And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. 16 Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. 17So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:2
and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Exodus 23:32
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Exodus 34:12
Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.

Judges 2:2
and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done?

2 Samuel 21:2
At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)

2 Corinthians 6:14-15
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

2 Kings 17:15
They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.

Nehemiah 13:25
I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelled among them.

that they heard

Proverbs 12:19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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Agreement Covenant Dwelling Dwelt End Hear Heard Israelites League Midst Neighbors Neighbours Three Treaty Within Word
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Agreement Covenant Dwelling Dwelt End Hear Heard Israelites League Midst Neighbors Neighbours Three Treaty Within Word
Joshua 9
1. The kings combine against Israel
3. The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league
22. They are condemned to perpetual bondage














Three days after
The phrase "Three days after" indicates a specific period of time that had elapsed since the treaty was made. In the Hebrew context, the number three often signifies completeness or divine perfection. This period allowed the Israelites to discover the truth about the Gibeonites, suggesting that God's providence was at work, revealing deception in His perfect timing. It serves as a reminder that truth, though sometimes delayed, will ultimately come to light.

they had made the treaty
The act of making a treaty in ancient times was a solemn and binding agreement, often sealed with oaths before God. The Hebrew word for "treaty" (בְּרִית, berit) implies a covenantal relationship, which in this context was made under false pretenses. This highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance before entering into agreements, as human wisdom alone can be deceived.

with the Gibeonites
The Gibeonites were a group of people living in the land of Canaan. Historically, they were Hivites, one of the nations God commanded Israel to drive out. Their cunning strategy to secure a treaty with Israel reflects the broader theme of the Canaanites' fear of Israel's God. This encounter underscores the necessity for spiritual discernment and the potential consequences of failing to consult God in decision-making.

the Israelites learned
The phrase "the Israelites learned" signifies a moment of revelation and understanding. The Hebrew root for "learned" (יָדַע, yada) encompasses knowledge gained through experience. This learning moment for Israel was a hard lesson in the importance of vigilance and reliance on God’s wisdom rather than their own understanding.

that they were neighbors
The realization "that they were neighbors" was a shocking revelation to the Israelites. The term "neighbors" (קָרוֹב, qarob) in Hebrew implies proximity and familiarity. This discovery meant that the Gibeonites were not distant foreigners but rather people living in close proximity, which violated the terms under which the treaty was made. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of assumptions and the need for thorough investigation.

living among them
The phrase "living among them" highlights the integration of the Gibeonites into the Israelite community. This situation created a complex dynamic, as the Israelites were now bound by their oath to protect a people they were supposed to conquer. It illustrates the tension between human error and divine grace, as God later uses the Gibeonites for His purposes, showing that He can redeem even our mistakes for His glory.

(16) Their neighbours, and they that dwelt among them.--Literally, and that they (the Gibeonites) were dwellers in the midst of him (Israel). (So Joshua 9:7.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Three
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

days
יָמִ֔ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

after
אַחֲרֵ֕י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

they had made
כָּרְת֥וּ (kā·rə·ṯū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the treaty with [the Gibeonites],
בְּרִ֑ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

[the Israelites learned
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֗וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they [were]
הֵם֙ (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

neighbors,
קְרֹבִ֥ים (qə·rō·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7138: Near

living
יֹשְׁבִֽים׃ (yō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

among them.
וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ (ū·ḇə·qir·bōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center


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OT History: Joshua 9:16 It happened at the end of three (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 9:15
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