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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 9

Translation and Transliteration of 

1When all the kings west of the Yarden—in the hill country, in the Shephelah, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea up to the vicinity of Lebanon, the [land of the] Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—learned of this,

vai-HI khi-SHO-a kol ha-m'-la-KHEEM a-SHER b'-AY-ver ha-YAR-den ba-HAR u-va-sh'-PE-la u-v'-KOL khof ha-YAM ha-GA-dol el-MUL ha-l'-va-NON ha-KHI-tee v'-ha-e-m'-REE ha-k'-na-a-NEE ha-p'-ree-ZEE ha-khi-VEE v'-ha-y'-voo-SEE

אוַיְהִ֣י כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ כׇּֽל־הַמְּלָכִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן בָּהָ֣ר וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֗ה וּבְכֹל֙ ח֚וֹף הַיָּ֣ם הַגָּד֔וֹל אֶל־מ֖וּל הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן הַֽחִתִּי֙ וְהָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַפְּרִזִּ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃

2they gathered with one accord to fight against Yehoshua and Yisrael.

vai-yit-ka-B'-tzu ya-kh'-DAV l'-hi-la-KHEM im y'-ho-SHU-a v'-im yis-ra-AYL peh e-KHAD

בוַיִּֽתְקַבְּצ֣וּ יַחְדָּ֔ו לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם עִם־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וְעִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל פֶּ֖ה אֶחָֽד׃

3But when the inhabitants of Givon learned how Yehoshua had treated Yericho and Ai,

v'-yo-SHE-vay gi-VON sha-MU et a-SHER a-SA y'-ho-SHU-a li-ri-KHO v'-la-AI

גוְיֹשְׁבֵ֨י גִבְע֜וֹן שָׁמְע֗וּ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ לִירִיח֖וֹ וְלָעָֽי׃

4they for their part resorted to cunning. They set out in disguise: they took worn-out sacks for their asses, and worn-out waterskins that were cracked and patched;

vai-ya-a-SU gam-hay-MAH b'-or-MAH va-yel-KHU va-yitz-ta-YA-ru va-yik-KHU sa-KEEM BA-leem la-cha-mo-RE-hem u-no-DOT ya-YIN BA-leem u-m'-bu-KA-eem u-m'-tzo-ra-REEM

דוַיַּֽעֲשׂ֤וּ גַם־הֵ֙מָּה֙ בְּעׇרְמָ֔ה וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ וַיִּצְטַיָּ֑רוּ וַיִּקְח֞וּ שַׂקִּ֤ים בָּלִים֙ לַחֲמ֣וֹרֵיהֶ֔ם וְנֹאד֥וֹת יַ֙יִן֙ בָּלִ֔ים וּמְבֻקָּעִ֖ים וּמְצֹרָרִֽים׃

5they had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and threadbare clothes on their bodies; and all the bread they took as provision was dry and crumbly.

u-ne-a-LOT ba-LOT u-m'-tu-LA-OT b'-rag-lei-HEM u-s'-la-MOT ba-LOT a-lei-HEM v'-KOL le-KHEM tzei-DAM ya-VESH ha-YA ni-ku-DIM

הוּנְעָל֨וֹת בָּל֤וֹת וּמְטֻלָּאוֹת֙ בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּשְׂלָמ֥וֹת בָּל֖וֹת עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְכֹל֙ לֶ֣חֶם צֵידָ֔ם יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה נִקֻּדִֽים׃

6And so they went to Yehoshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Yisrael, “We come from a distant land; we propose that you make a pact with us.”

vai-YEL-khu el y'-ho-SHU-a el ha-ma-kha-NEH ha-gil-GAL, vai-YO-meru ay-LAV v'-el eesh yis-ra-AYL may-E-retz r'-kho-KAH ba-NU, v'-a-TAH kir-TU-la-NU b'-REET

ווַיֵּלְכ֧וּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַגִּלְגָּ֑ל וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ אֵלָ֜יו וְאֶל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵאֶ֤רֶץ רְחוֹקָה֙ בָּ֔אנוּ וְעַתָּ֖ה כִּרְתוּ־לָ֥נוּ בְרִֽית׃

7The men of Yisrael replied to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a pact with you?”

(vai-YO-mer) [vay-YO-mer] eesh-yis-ra-AYL el ha-KHI-vee, u-LAI b'-kir-BEE a-TAH yo-SHEV, v'-AYKH (ekh-RUT) [ekh-RAHT] l'-KHA b'-REET

ז(ויאמרו) [וַיֹּ֥אמֶר] אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־הַחִוִּ֑י אוּלַ֗י בְּקִרְבִּי֙ אַתָּ֣ה יוֹשֵׁ֔ב וְאֵ֖יךְ (אכרות) [אֶֽכְרָת־]לְךָ֥ בְרִֽית׃

8They said to Yehoshua, “We will be your subjects.” But Yehoshua asked them, “Who are you and where do you come from?”

vai-YO-mer-u el y'-ho-SHU-a, a-va-DE-kha-nu, va-YO-mer a-LAY-hem y'-ho-SHU-a, mee a-TEM u-may-EYN ta-BO-u

חוַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ עֲבָדֶ֣יךָֽ אֲנָ֑חְנוּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֧ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ מִ֥י אַתֶּ֖ם וּמֵאַ֥יִן תָּבֹֽאוּ׃

9They replied, “Your servants have come from a very distant country, because of the fame of Hashem your God. For we heard the report of Him: of all that He did in Egypt,

va-yo-M'-RU e-LAV may-E-retz r'-CHO-kah m'-OD, BA-u a-va-DE-khah l'-SHEM a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-khah, kee-sha-MA-nu sh'-MO-o, v'-AYT kol a-SHER a-SA b'-mitz-RA-yim.

טוַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו מֵאֶ֨רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֤ה מְאֹד֙ בָּ֣אוּ עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְשֵׁ֖ם יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּי־שָׁמַ֣עְנוּ שׇׁמְע֔וֹ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃

10and of all that He did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Yarden, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan who lived in Ashtaroth.

v'-ET kol a-SHER a-SAH lish-NAY mal-KAY ha-e-MO-ree a-SHER b'-E-ver ha-YAR-den l'-si-KHON me-LEKH khe-SH-BON u-l'-OG me-LEKH ha-BA-shan a-SHER b'-a-sh'-TA-rot

יוְאֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה לִשְׁנֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן לְסִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן וּלְע֥וֹג מֶלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֖ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת׃

11So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country instructed us as follows, ‘Take along provisions for a trip, and go to them and say: We will be your subjects; come make a pact with us.'

vai-YO-mer-U e-LE-nu z'-kei-NE-nu v'-kol yo-sh'-VAY ar-TZE-nu lay-MOR: k'-KHU v'-yed-KHEM tzei-DAH la-DE-rekh u-l'-KHU lik-ra-TAM, va-a-MAR-TEM a-LE-hem av-DAY-khem a-naKH-nu v'-a-TAH k'-ru-TU-la-NU b'-REET

יאוַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלֵ֡ינוּ זְֽקֵינֵ֩ינוּ֩ וְכׇל־יֹשְׁבֵ֨י אַרְצֵ֜נוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר קְח֨וּ בְיֶדְכֶ֤ם צֵידָה֙ לַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּלְכ֖וּ לִקְרָאתָ֑ם וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֲלֵיהֶם֙ עַבְדֵיכֶ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ וְעַתָּ֖ה כִּרְתוּ־לָ֥נוּ בְרִֽית׃

12This bread of ours, which we took from our houses as provision, was still hot when we set out to come to you; and see how dry and crumbly it has become.

ZEH lach-ME-nu KHAM hitz-ta-YAD-nu o-TO mi-ba-TE-nu b'-YOM tze-E-te-nu la-LE-khet a-LE-khem v'-a-TAH hi-NEH ya-VESH v'-ha-YAH ni-KU-dim

יבזֶ֣ה ׀ לַחְמֵ֗נוּ חָ֞ם הִצְטַיַּ֤דְנוּ אֹתוֹ֙ מִבָּ֣תֵּ֔ינוּ בְּי֥וֹם צֵאתֵ֖נוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְעַתָּה֙ הִנֵּ֣ה יָבֵ֔שׁ וְהָיָ֖ה נִקֻּדִֽים׃

13These wineskins were new when we filled them, and see how they have cracked. These clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.”

v'-AY-leh no-DOT ha-ya-YIN a-SHER me-LE-nu cha-da-SHEEM v'-hi-NEH hit-ba-KA-u v'-AY-leh sal-mo-TEY-nu u-ne-a-LEY-nu BA-lu me-ROV ha-DE-rekh me-OD

יגוְאֵ֨לֶּה נֹאד֤וֹת הַיַּ֙יִן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִלֵּ֣אנוּ חֲדָשִׁ֔ים וְהִנֵּ֖ה הִתְבַּקָּ֑עוּ וְאֵ֤לֶּה שַׂלְמוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ וּנְעָלֵ֔ינוּ בָּל֕וּ מֵרֹ֥ב הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ מְאֹֽד׃

14The men took [their word] because of their provisions, and did not inquire of Hashem.

vai-YIKH-khu ha-a-na-SHEEM mi-tzei-DAM v'-ET pi a-do-NAI lo sha-A-lu

ידוַיִּקְח֥וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִצֵּידָ֑ם וְאֶת־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לֹ֥א שָׁאָֽלוּ׃

15Yehoshua established friendship with them; he made a pact with them to spare their lives, and the chieftains of the community gave them their oath.

vai-YA-as la-HEM y'-ho-SHU-a sha-LOM va-yikh-ROT la-HEM b'-REET l'-kha-yo-TAM va-yi-sha-VE-u la-HEM n'-see-EY ha-e-DAH

טווַיַּ֨עַשׂ לָהֶ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ שָׁל֔וֹם וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית לְחַיּוֹתָ֑ם וַיִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ לָהֶ֔ם נְשִׂיאֵ֖י הָעֵדָֽה׃

16But when three days had passed after they made this pact with them, they learned that they were neighbors, living among them.

vai-HI mik-TZE sh'-LO-shet ya-MEEM a-kha-RAY a-SHER kor-TO la-HEM b'-REET va-yish-MU KI k'-RO-VEEM HEM e-LAV u-vi-KIR-bo HEM yosh-VEEM

טזוַיְהִ֗י מִקְצֵה֙ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֕י אֲשֶׁר־כָּרְת֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם בְּרִ֑ית וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֗וּ כִּֽי־קְרֹבִ֥ים הֵם֙ אֵלָ֔יו וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ הֵ֥ם יֹשְׁבִֽים׃

17So the Israelites set out, and on the third day they came to their towns; these towns were Givon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiryat Ye'arim.

vai-YIS-u v'-nay yis-ra-AYL va-ya-VO-u el a-rei-HEM ba-YOM ha-sh'-li-SHI, v'-a-rei-HEM gi-VON v'-ha-k'-fi-RAH u-v'-e-ROT v'-kir-YAT ye-a-REEM

יזוַיִּסְע֣וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ אֶל־עָרֵיהֶ֖ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י וְעָֽרֵיהֶם֙ גִּבְע֣וֹן וְהַכְּפִירָ֔ה וּבְאֵר֖וֹת וְקִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים׃

18But the Israelites did not attack them, since the chieftains of the community had sworn to them by Hashem, the God of Yisrael. The whole community muttered against the chieftains,

v'-LO hi-KUM b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL ki-nish-B'-U la-HEM n'-see-EY ha-E-da ba-do-NAI e-lo-HAY yis-ra-AYL va-yi-LO-nu kol ha-E-da al ha-n'-see-EEM

יחוְלֹ֤א הִכּוּם֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּֽי־נִשְׁבְּע֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הָעֵדָ֔ה בַּֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּלֹּ֥נוּ כׇל־הָעֵדָ֖ה עַל־הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃

19but all the chieftains answered the whole community, “We swore to them by Hashem, the God of Yisrael; therefore we cannot touch them.

va-yo-M'ru kol ha-ne-si-EE-im el kol ha-E-da, a-na-KH'-nu nish-BA-nu la-HEM ba-do-NAI e-lo-HAY yis-ra-AYL, v'-a-ta LO nu-KHAL lin-GO-a ba-HEM.

יטוַיֹּאמְר֤וּ כׇל־הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙ אֶל־כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ נִשְׁבַּ֣עְנוּ לָהֶ֔ם בַּיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְעַתָּ֕ה לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לִנְגֹּ֥עַ בָּהֶֽם׃

20This is what we will do to them: We will spare their lives, so that there may be no wrath against us because of the oath that we swore to them.”

zo-at na-a-SEH la-HEM v'-ha-kha-YEH o-TAM v'-lo yi-HE-yeh a-LE-nu KE-tsef al ha-she-vu-AH a-SHER nish-BA-nu la-HEM

כזֹ֛את נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם וְהַחֲיֵ֣ה אוֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ קֶ֔צֶף עַל־הַשְּׁבוּעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְנוּ לָהֶֽם׃

21And the chieftains declared concerning them, “They shall live!” And they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole community, as the chieftains had decreed concerning them.

vai-YO-mer-U a-LAY-hem ha-ne-see-IM yikh-YU, va-yi-HU khot-VAY ay-TZEEM v'-sho-a-VAY-ma-YIM l'-KOL ha-ay-DAH, ka-a-SHER di-B'-RU la-HEM ha-ne-see-IM

כאוַיֹּאמְר֧וּ אֲלֵיהֶ֛ם הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ים יִֽחְי֑וּ וַ֠יִּֽהְי֠וּ חֹטְבֵ֨י עֵצִ֤ים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ לְכׇל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבְּר֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃

22Yehoshua summoned them and spoke to them thus: “Why did you deceive us and tell us you lived very far from us, when in fact you live among us?

vai-YIK-ra LA-HEM y'-ho-SHU-a va-y'-da-BAYR a-LAY-HEM lay-MOR: la-MAH ri-MI-TEM o-TA-nu lay-MOR, r'-kho-KEEM a-NAKH-nu mi-KHEM m'-OD, v'-a-TEM b'-kir-BAY-nu yosh-VEEM

כבוַיִּקְרָ֤א לָהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר לָ֩מָּה֩ רִמִּיתֶ֨ם אֹתָ֜נוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר רְחוֹקִ֨ים אֲנַ֤חְנוּ מִכֶּם֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּקִרְבֵּ֥נוּ יֹשְׁבִֽים׃

23Therefore, be accursed! Never shall your descendants cease to be slaves, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the House of my God.”

v'-a-TAH a-ru-RIM a-TEM, v'-lo yi-ka-RET mi-KHEM e-VED v'-kho-t'-VEI e-TZEEM v'-sho-a-VEI ma-YIM l'-VEIT e-lo-HAI

כגוְעַתָּ֖ה אֲרוּרִ֣ים אַתֶּ֑ם וְלֹא־יִכָּרֵ֨ת מִכֶּ֜ם עֶ֗בֶד וְחֹטְבֵ֥י עֵצִ֛ים וְשֹׁ֥אֲבֵי מַ֖יִם לְבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽי׃

24But they replied to Yehoshua, “You see, your servants had heard that Hashem your God had promised His servant Moshe to give you the whole land and to wipe out all the inhabitants of the country on your account; so we were in great fear for our lives on your account. That is why we did this thing.

vai-ya-a-NU et y'-ho-SHU-a va-yo-M'-RU: KEE hu-GED hu-GAD la-a-va-DAY-kha, AYT a-SHER tzi-VAH a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha et mo-SHEH a-va-DO, la-TAYT LA-khem AYT kol ha-A-retz, u-l'-hash-MEED et kol yo-sh'-VAY ha-A-retz mi-p'-NE-khem, va-NEE-ra m'-OD l'-naf-sho-TAY-nu mi-p'-NE-khem, va-na-a-SEH et ha-DA-var ha-ZEH.

כדוַיַּעֲנ֨וּ אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ כִּי֩ הֻגֵּ֨ד הֻגַּ֤ד לַעֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדּ֔וֹ לָתֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּלְהַשְׁמִ֛יד אֶת־כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וַנִּירָ֨א מְאֹ֤ד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵ֙ינוּ֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וַֽנַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃

25And now we are at your mercy; do with us what you consider right and proper.”

v'-a-TAH hin-NU b'-ya-DE-kha, ka-TOV v'-ka-ya-SHAR b'-ay-NE-kha, la-a-SOT la-NU a-SEH

כהוְעַתָּ֖ה הִנְנ֣וּ בְיָדֶ֑ךָ כַּטּ֨וֹב וְכַיָּשָׁ֧ר בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָ֖נוּ עֲשֵֽׂה׃

26And he did so; he saved them from being killed by the Israelites.

vai-YA-as la-HEM KEN, vai-YA-tzel o-TAM mi-YAD b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL v'-LO ha-RA-gum

כווַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָהֶ֖ם כֵּ֑ן וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אוֹתָ֛ם מִיַּ֥ד בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְלֹ֥א הֲרָגֽוּם׃

27That day Yehoshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water—as they still are—for the community and for the mizbayach of Hashem, in the place that He would choose.

va-yi-t'-NAYM y'-ho-SHU-a ba-YOM ha-HU kho-t'-VAY ay-TZEEM v'-SHO-a-vay MA-yim la-ay-DAH ul-miz-BAKH a-do-NAI ad ha-YOM ha-ZEH el ha-ma-KOM a-SHER yiv-KHAR

כזוַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא חֹטְבֵ֥י עֵצִ֛ים וְשֹׁ֥אֲבֵי מַ֖יִם לָֽעֵדָ֑ה וּלְמִזְבַּ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחָֽר׃

 9:27   That day Yehoshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water

Ancient well in Givon

The Gibeonites trick Yehoshua into believing they are not Canaanites. Therefore, Yehoshua makes a treaty with them. Even after learning the truth, the Children of Israel do not violate their word. However, the Gibeonites are required to serve them and Hashem’s altar. The Metzudat David, a classic commentary on the books of the Prophets and Writings written in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, explains that this means they are to support the soldiers of Israel during war and to labor in the Mishkan in Shilo, and later in the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim. Their service in the Beit Hamikdash  would be important, as it would become a focal point for both Jews and non-Jews in their service of the one God.