Old Testament
Joshua 9:20
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Here's what we'll do — we'll let them live. Otherwise God's anger will fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them."
Compare translations
This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
What Joshua 9:20 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the leaders of Israel are discussing how to handle the Gibeonites, who deceived them into making a peace treaty. They recognize that breaking their oath would provoke God's anger against them. This highlights the importance of keeping promises and the serious consequences of dishonesty. The leaders decide to honor their commitment, showing that they value their relationship with God over the desire for immediate safety or revenge. This decision reflects a deep understanding of their covenant with God and the moral obligation to uphold their word, even when it is inconvenient. It serves as a reminder that integrity and faithfulness to commitments are essential in maintaining a right relationship with God and others. The leaders' choice to let the Gibeonites live demonstrates a commitment to mercy and the weight of their vows, emphasizing that oaths made in God's name carry significant responsibility.
How to apply Joshua 9:20 to your life
This verse teaches us the importance of keeping our promises, even when it is difficult. We should strive to honor our commitments and be mindful of the impact our decisions have on our relationships with others and our standing before God. Integrity matters.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Joshua's story: The Gibeonites' Trick (Joshua 9:1–27)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Joshua
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Joshua 9:20
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Joshua 9:20
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 9:20 mean?
Joshua 9:20 means that the leaders of Israel decided to honor their oath to the Gibeonites, recognizing that breaking it would provoke God's anger. This shows the importance of keeping promises, even when faced with difficult situations.
What is the significance of oaths in Joshua 9:20?
The significance of oaths in Joshua 9:20 is that they represent a serious commitment made before God. The leaders understood that breaking their oath would have serious consequences, highlighting the weight of promises made in God's name.
What lesson can we learn from Joshua 9:20?
From Joshua 9:20, we learn the importance of integrity and keeping our commitments. It teaches us that our decisions should reflect our values and responsibilities, especially in our relationships with others and with God.
What does the phrase 'God's anger will fall on us' mean in Joshua 9:20?
The phrase 'God's anger will fall on us' in Joshua 9:20 indicates the leaders' belief that violating their oath would lead to divine punishment. It emphasizes the seriousness of their promise and the consequences of dishonesty.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.