The Gibeonite Deception

The Gibeonites trick Israel into a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land.

conquest-judgesOld Testament

What Happened

Hearing what happened to Jericho and Ai, the people of Gibeon dress in worn-out clothes and pack moldy bread to make it look like they've traveled from far away. Joshua and the leaders make a treaty without consulting God. When the deception is discovered, Israel honors the oath but makes the Gibeonites servants. It's a cautionary tale about making decisions without seeking God first.

Read It

Joshua

The Con That Saved a City

The Gibeonites pulled off one of the boldest cons in the Bible — moldy bread, torn wineskins, and a story good enough to fool Joshua himself. But the real lesson isn't about their deception. It's about the one question Israel never thought to ask.

Key People

Joshua

Key Places

Gibeon

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