A noun meaning food supplied for a journey or expedition — provisions, rations, the practical sustenance needed for travel. Used by Joshua when the Gibeonites present themselves with worn-out provisions as evidence of their long journey.
The Gibeonites' ruse in Joshua 9 depends entirely on episitismos — their worn-out food supplies, dry and crumbled bread, old wineskins, patched sandals — all theatrical props designed to convince Israel they had traveled far. Their provisions became their deception. Yet the resulting covenant, sworn by the leaders of Israel, bound them permanently — even when the deception was revealed. God honored the oath (2 Samuel 21:1-9). The lesson: Israel swore 'without asking direction from the LORD' (Joshua 9:14). Episitismos — provisions for the road — is not enough information for covenant decisions. Only the Lord knows the full length of every journey.