Joshua 9:4

they acted with a cunning plan. They went as messengers. They took worn-out sacks and put them on their donkeys. They also took old wineskins that were worn, torn, and had been repaired. + 9:4 Instead of They went as messengers, some versions have, They got provisions ready .

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;

In Context

3When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

5They put old and patched sandals on their feet, and dressed in old, worn-out clothing. All the bread in their food supply was dry and moldy.

Read all of Joshua 9

Cross References

Genesis 34:13The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, because Shechem had defiled Dinah their sister.

1 Kings 20:31Ben Hadad's servants said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

Matthew 9:17Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the wineskins will be destroyed. Instead, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both will be preserved.”

Mark 2:22No man puts new wine into old wineskins, otherwise the wine will burst the skins and both the wine and the wineskins will be lost. Instead, put new wine into fresh wineskins.”

Luke 16:8The master then commended the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own people than are the children of light.

Matthew Henry on Joshua 9:4-15

The Artifice of the Gibeonites. ( b. c. 1450.) 3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. 6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Joshua 9:4