Joshua 9:18

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

In Context

17So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

19All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.

Read all of Joshua 9

Cross References

Deuteronomy 23:22But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23:24When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, but you must not put any in your basket.

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

Ecclesiastes 5:6Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

Matthew Henry on Joshua 9:16-22

The League with the Gibeonites. ( b. c. 1450.) 15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. 16 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. 17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. 18… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Joshua 9:18