The Gibeonites were a Canaanite people who lived in the land of Gibeon, a city located northwest of Jerusalem. They are best known in the Bible for their deceptive treaty with Joshua and the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. Their story is found primarily in Joshua chapters 9 and 10, and they appear again in later Old Testament history.
Origins and Location
- Gibeon was a Hivite city, one of the Canaanite peoples living in the land before Israel’s arrival (Joshua 9:7).
- It was part of a confederation of cities that included Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim (Joshua 9:17).
- Archaeologically and biblically, Gibeon was located in the territory later assigned to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:25).
The Deceptive Treaty with Joshua (Joshua 9)
When Israel began conquering Canaan under Joshua’s leadership, the fame of their victories spread quickly. The nearby kings prepared for war—but the Gibeonites took a different approach:
- Deception:
The Gibeonites disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land. They wore old clothes, carried moldy bread, and presented themselves as ambassadors from afar. - Their Goal:
They sought to make peace with Israel, fearing destruction like that which fell upon Jericho and Ai. - Israel’s Mistake:
Joshua and the elders did not ask counsel of the LORD (Joshua 9:14). Believing the story, they made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. - The Discovery:
Three days later, Israel discovered that the Gibeonites were actually neighbors living within the land promised to Israel. Yet, because of their oath before God, Israel could not destroy them.
Their Servitude
As punishment for their deceit, Joshua declared that the Gibeonites would become:
“hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD” (Joshua 9:27).
This meant they would serve the Israelites and assist the priests in maintaining the worship system at the tabernacle — a lasting role of subservience but also one of proximity to God’s house.
The Battle for Gibeon (Joshua 10)
When neighboring Amorite kings learned that Gibeon had made peace with Israel, they attacked the city.
The Gibeonites called for Joshua’s help, and he came to their defense. God miraculously intervened:
- He sent hailstones upon the enemy armies.
- He made the sun stand still until Israel won the victory.
This battle became one of the most dramatic demonstrations of God’s power in Israel’s early history.
Later Biblical References
- 2 Samuel 21: During King David’s reign, a famine struck Israel because King Saul had earlier violated the covenant and killed some Gibeonites. To atone for Saul’s sin, David sought to make restitution to them.
- Nehemiah 3:7: Centuries later, Gibeonites are mentioned among those who helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, showing their long-term integration into Israelite society.
Spiritual Significance
The story of the Gibeonites carries several moral and theological lessons:
- The importance of seeking God’s counsel before making decisions (Joshua 9:14).
- The sanctity of oaths—Israel honored their treaty because it was made in God’s name, even though it came through deceit.
- God’s mercy and inclusion—despite their trickery, the Gibeonites were spared and ultimately came to serve in God’s sanctuary, symbolizing that even Gentiles could find a place near His presence.