Paragraph 9:22–23
9:22a
Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as summoned indicates that Joshua ordered the Gibeonites to come see him. He wanted to tell them how the Israelites would respond to their trickery.
the Gibeonites: The phrase the Gibeonites refers to the leaders or representatives of the Gibeonites, not to the whole group of Gibeonites.
and said: Some English versions translate the word said as “asked” because it introduces a rhetorical question. For example:
Joshua ordered the people of Gibeon to be brought to him, and he asked them (Good News Translation)
9:22b
Why did you deceive us by telling us: This is the beginning of a rhetorical question. It functions as a strong statement that the Gibeonites should not have tricked the Israelites.
Here are two ways to translate this statement:
• Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Why did you trick us? (NET Bible)
• Use a strong statement. For example:
you should not have deceived us
-or-
you lied to us
Translate this strong statement in a way that is natural in your language.
9:22c
you live far away from us: The clause you live far away from us is Joshua’s paraphrase of what the Gibeonites told the Israelites.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
We live in a far country
when in fact you live among us: The clause when…you live among us indicates that the Gibeonites lived nearby.
General Comment on 22b-c
Some other ways to translate the statements in 22b-c are:
You actually live close to us. Why did you lie and tell us that you live far away?
-or-
You lied to us and said that you live far away. But actually you live nearby.
-or-
Why did you deceive us and tell us that you were from far away, when you live right here? (Good News Translation)
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