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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 9:14 Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/9-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/06_Jos_09_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 9:14 - The Deceit of the Gibeonites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/9-13.htm" title="Joshua 9:13">◄</a> Joshua 9:14 <a href="/joshua/9-15.htm" title="Joshua 9:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the men took of their victuals, and asked not <i>counsel</i> at the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the men <i>of Israel</i> took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the men <i>of Israel</i> took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the men <i>of Israel</i> took some of their provisions, but they did not ask for the command of Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the men [of Israel] took some of their own provisions [and offered them in friendship], and [foolishly] did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the LORD’s decision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the LORD&#8217s counsel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites tried some of the food, but they did not ask the LORD if he wanted them to make a treaty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The men believed the evidence they were shown, but they did not ask the LORD about it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites accepted some food from them, but did not consult the LORD about it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the leaders of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not ask the LORD about it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the LORD's advice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The men sampled their provisions, and did not ask counsel from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the men took of their provisions, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men take of their provision, and have not asked the mouth of YHWH;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the men take of their provision, and the mouth of Jehovah have not asked;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the men will take of their food, and they asked not the mouth of Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They took therefore of their victuals, and consulted not the mouth of the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so they accepted this, because of their provisions, and they did not consult the mouth of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the Israelite leaders partook of their provisions, without inquiring of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So the leaders partook of their provisions, and did not ask direction from the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the men took of their provisions and went away, and the Israelites did not ask counsel from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And these men took from their provisions and they went, and they did not inquire from the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not <i>counsel of</i> the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/9-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=2240" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm">The Deceit of the Gibeonites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.” <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">Then the men of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">sampled</a> <a href="/hebrew/6718.htm" title="6718: miṣ·ṣê·ḏām (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- The chase, game, lunch. From a form of tsuwd and meaning the same; the chase; also game; lunch.">their provisions,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šā·’ā·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">the counsel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a></span><br />He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">1 Samuel 23:2</a></span><br />So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-8.htm">1 Samuel 30:8</a></span><br />and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</a></span><br />So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/32-8.htm">Psalm 32:8-9</a></span><br />I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. / Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-5.htm">1 Kings 22:5</a></span><br />But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/18-4.htm">2 Chronicles 18:4</a></span><br />But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a></span><br />I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a></span><br />However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3</a></span><br />While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">the men took of their victuals.</p><p class="hdg">asked not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/28-30.htm">Exodus 28:30</a></b></br> And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a></b></br> And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask <i>counsel</i> for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, <i>both</i> he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/1-1.htm">Judges 1:1</a></b></br> Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-28.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-18.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/joshua/9-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/9-2.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Partook</a> <a href="/joshua/9-12.htm">Provision</a> <a href="/joshua/9-12.htm">Provisions</a> <a href="/numbers/22-37.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/joshua/9-11.htm">Victuals</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/18-5.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/joshua/12-3.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/judges/18-5.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/judges/4-20.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/joshua/9-17.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/10-18.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Partook</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-10.htm">Provision</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Provisions</a> <a href="/joshua/15-18.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Victuals</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">The kings combine against Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-3.htm">The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-22.htm">They are condemned to perpetual bondage</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions</b><br>The Israelites, led by Joshua, encountered the Gibeonites who deceptively presented themselves as travelers from a distant land. The act of sampling their provisions indicates a reliance on their own judgment and senses. This reflects a common human tendency to trust in physical evidence rather than seeking divine guidance. The provisions, which appeared old and worn, were part of the Gibeonites' ruse to secure a treaty. This moment highlights the importance of discernment and the potential for deception when relying solely on human perception.<p><b>but did not seek the counsel of the LORD</b><br>This phrase underscores a critical error made by the Israelites. Throughout the Old Testament, seeking God's counsel was a fundamental practice for Israel, especially in decision-making. The failure to consult God here contrasts with previous instances where divine guidance led to success, such as the crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho. This oversight serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting prayer and divine consultation. It also foreshadows the consequences of their decision, as the Israelites later discovered the true identity of the Gibeonites, leading to complications and obligations they had not anticipated. This incident emphasizes the necessity of seeking God's wisdom in all matters, a principle echoed in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who are in the process of conquering the land of Canaan as God commanded.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gibeonites.htm">The Gibeonites</a></b><br>A group of people from Canaan who deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeon.htm">Gibeon</a></b><br>A significant city in Canaan, whose inhabitants sought to make a treaty with Israel to avoid destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god's_counsel.htm">The Importance of Seeking God's Counsel</a></b><br>The Israelites' failure to seek God's guidance led to unintended consequences. This teaches us the importance of consulting God in all our decisions, big or small.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_decision-making.htm">Discernment in Decision-Making</a></b><br>The deception by the Gibeonites serves as a reminder to be discerning and not rely solely on appearances or human wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_neglecting_prayer.htm">Consequences of Neglecting Prayer</a></b><br>The Israelites' oversight in not praying for guidance resulted in a binding treaty with the Gibeonites. This underscores the potential consequences of neglecting prayer in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_grace.htm">God's Sovereignty and Grace</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' mistake, God used the situation for good, showing His sovereignty and grace. This encourages us to trust that God can redeem our errors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_mistakes.htm">Learning from Mistakes</a></b><br>The incident with the Gibeonites is a lesson in learning from past mistakes and seeking to align our actions with God's will in the future.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_leaders_to_be_misled,_god.htm">Why would an omniscient God allow His leaders to be misled in such a strategic event (Joshua 9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_a_famine_in_david's_reign.htm">Why was there a famine during David's reign?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_punish_all_for_saul's_sin.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:1, how can a just God hold an entire nation accountable with famine for Saul’s sin? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_joshua_seek_divine_guidance.htm">Why did Joshua fail to seek divine guidance (Joshua 9:14) before making a treaty? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">And the men took of their victuals.</span>--<span class= "ital">And they accepted the men from </span>(the appearance of) <span class= "ital">their provisions. </span>This, which is the view taken in our marginal reading, seems to be the more probable interpretation, and follows the Targum. "The men" can hardly refer to any one but the ambassadors of the Gibeonites.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the men took of their victuals.</span> Most commentators prefer this rendering to that of the margin, "and they received the men because of their victuals." The natural explanation - though several others are given, for which see Keil <span class="accented">in loc. -</span> would seem to be that the Israelites relied on the evidence of their senses, instead of upon the counsel of God. They could see the condition of the garments, sacks, and wine skins of the Gibeonites. They tasted of their victuals to convince themselves of the truth of those statements of which the sight was insufficient to take cognisance. <span class="cmt_word">And asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.</span> Even in the most obvious matter it is well not to trust too implicitly to our own judgment. Nothing could seem more clear or satisfactory than the account given of themselves by the Gibeonites - nothing more easy for the unassisted intellect to decide. And yet Joshua and the congregation were deceived. It is perhaps too much to say, with some commentators - Maurer, for instance - that Joshua disobeyed a plain command in acting thus. The passage in which Joshua is instructed to "stand up before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him at the judgment of Urim before the Lord" (<a href="/numbers/27-18.htm">Numbers 27:18-23</a>), does not require him to do so in all cases. But it was clearly "an act of gross carelessness" (Calvin). And the inference may safely be drawn that in no case whatever is it wise to trust to ourselves. However obvious our course may be, we shall do well to take counsel with God by prayer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/9-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the men of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sampled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְח֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their provisions,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצֵּידָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ṣê·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6718.htm">Strong's 6718: </a> </span><span class="str2">The chase, game, lunch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seek</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁאָֽלוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ā·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the counsel</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(pî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/9-14.htm">OT History: Joshua 9:14 The men sampled their provisions and didn't (Josh. 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