Gibeonites

The Gibeonites were an ancient people who inhabited the city of Gibeon. Their story is primarily recounted in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Joshua. According to the biblical narrative, the Gibeonites employed a deceptive strategy to secure a treaty with the invading Israelites. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land, presenting worn-out clothes and provisions to convince Joshua that they had journeyed for many days. Their ruse was successful, and the Israelites, believing them to be from afar, swore an oath to let them live.

When the deception was discovered, the Israelites were bound by their oath and could not harm the Gibeonites. Instead, they relegated them to a status of servitude, making them hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Israelite community and the sanctuary. This status was inherited by subsequent generations. Despite their subservient position, the Gibeonites remained a distinct group.

Later in biblical history, King Saul violated the treaty by attacking and killing some of the Gibeonites. This act brought a famine upon the land of Israel, which God attributed to Saul's transgression. To atone for Saul's sin and end the famine, David handed over seven of Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites, who then executed them. The Gibeonites are mentioned again in the post-exilic period, with some returning from Babylonian exile to help rebuild Jerusalem. Their identity and historical significance are largely tied to their interactions with the early Israelites as described in scripture.