The Gibeonites Called Their Own Elders Elders of Shame

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 19:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And our elders and all the inhabitants of our land said to us" (Joshua 9:11). Rabbi Yochanan said: it is written "zekeneinu" [defectively, which can be read "zekenenu"] - elders of shame [reading the word as related to "shame," as the Gibeonites disparaged their own counselors who devised the deception]. This accords with the view of Rabbi Yochanan, who said: wherever Sodom is mentioned and "righteous men" should appear, it is written "tzadikm" [defectively, hinting that they were not truly righteous].

Themes

DeceptionSpeechWisdom

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