The camp at Gilgal may be specified as “the Israelite camp at Gilgal”; or since the last place mentioned for the Israelites was in the valley between Mount Ebal and Gerizim, “the Israelite camp, which was now near the town of Gilgal.” A treaty (Revised Standard Version “covenant”) is an agreement that is made between two groups, usually in order to ensure peace between them.

The request of the Gibeonites may be stated: “We have come from a distant land, and we would like for you to make a treaty with us.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .