Definition: 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;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Joshua 9:4. It’s a really strange and unsettling verse, and it describes a situation that’s filled with serious implications. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core of the Story: This verse tells us about a group of people – likely Israelites – who were attempting to deceive God by pretending to be ambassadors from a foreign land. They were using old, valuable items (sacks of wine and old, rented goods) as payment for their "travel." Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “They did work wilily” : This is a slightly awkward phrase. It means they were busy and active in trying to deceive people. “and went and made as if they had been ambassadors” : They pretended to be high-ranking officials, sending messages and representing the Israelites in a way that was dishonest. They were acting like they were important travelers. “and took old sacks upon their asses” : This is key. They were carrying heavy sacks of wine and other goods on their backs – this suggests a lot of wealth and potentially, a significant amount of deception. “and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up” : This describes the specific items they used: Wine bottles: They were using wine as payment for their "travel." Old: This implies they had been using these goods for a long time. Rent: This is a crucial detail. It suggests they were borrowing the goods – essentially, they weren't truly owning them. They were taking things that belonged to someone else under the guise of representing the Israelites. The Significance & What it Means (Historically): This story is a powerful example of how people can be tricked and manipulated. It highlights: Deception: The primary issue was lying . The Israelites were deliberately misleading God. Disrespect for Authority: They were attempting to impersonate someone else, which was a serious breach of trust and respect for the laws and expectations of their position. Moral Corruption: It points towards a moral failing within the Israelite community – a tendency to prioritize appearances over truthfulness. In short, this verse describes a deliberate act of dishonesty that angered God and led to consequences. It’s a stark reminder that true faith requires honesty and integrity. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story is significant in the Bible? Discuss what it might symbolize about human behavior? Give you a more detailed historical context of this event?