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Joshua 9:4

Joshua 9:4
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;

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

And they did work wilily,.... Acted craftily, dealt in much cunning and subtlety; our version leaves out a very emphatic word, "also"; they also, as well as other nations, acted a cunning part, but in…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

They did work wilily - literally, “they also,” or “they too, did work, etc.” The “also” serves, apparently, to connect the stratagem of the Gibeonites with that employed by the Israelites before Ai.…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

They did work wilily - Finesse of this kind is allowed by the conduct of all nations; and stratagems in war are all considered as legal. Nine tenths of the victories gained are attributable to…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

Joshua 9:3-14

Here, I. The Gibeonites desire to make peace with Israel, being alarmed by the tidings they heard of the destruction of Jericho, Jos 9:3. Other people heard those tidings, and were irritated thereby…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

they did work wilily Rather, they also did work wilily. They had heard what Joshua had done in the case of Jericho and Ai, and the stratagems he had em ployed, and now they also resolved to do…