Joshua 9:27

And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

And Joshua {H3091} made {H5414} them that day {H3117} hewers {H2404} of wood {H6086} and drawers {H7579} of water {H4325} for the congregation {H5712}, and for the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068}, even unto this day {H3117}, in the place {H4725} which he should choose {H977}.

But he did that same day make them choppers of wood and drawers of water for the community and for the altar of ADONAI in the place which he would choose; and they remain so to this day.

On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.

And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

Commentary

Joshua 9:27 KJV describes the permanent status assigned to the Gibeonites after they deceptively secured a peace treaty with Israel. This verse highlights the consequences of their cunning while also illustrating how their forced servitude was integrated into the religious life of the Israelite community.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of the Gibeonites, a Hivite people living in Canaan, who famously deceived Joshua and the leaders of Israel. Fearing the Israelites' conquest, they pretended to be from a distant land, presenting worn-out clothes and moldy provisions to convince Joshua they had traveled far. Despite the command to make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land (Exodus 23:32), the Israelites failed to inquire of the Lord and consequently made a treaty with them (Joshua 9:15). When the deception was discovered three days later, the Israelites were bound by their oath. Instead of executing them, Joshua condemned them to perpetual servitude as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation and the altar of the LORD, a status that endured for generations.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Deception: The Gibeonites' cunning strategy spared their lives but resulted in a lasting state of servitude. This demonstrates that while God's people must honor their oaths, deceit still carries significant penalties.
  • The Sanctity of Oaths: Even though the covenant was made under false pretenses, the Israelites felt bound by their oath before God. This underscores the importance of keeping one's word, especially when made in the Lord's name.
  • Divine Providence and Justice: Despite the human error, God's sovereign plan ensured that even the Gibeonites' forced labor served His purposes, contributing directly to the tabernacle and later the temple services. This allowed them to dwell among Israel, albeit in a humble capacity, rather than being utterly destroyed like other Canaanite nations.
  • Integration into Israelite Life: Their role as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" was not merely punitive but also functional, essential for the daily operations of the community and the sacrificial system at the central sanctuary, which was eventually established in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hewers of wood and drawers of water" (Hebrew: ื—ึนื˜ึฐื‘ึตื™ ืขึตืฆึดื™ื ื•ึฐืฉึนืืึฒื‘ึตื™ ืžึทื™ึดื, chotvei etsim u'shoavei mayim) is a proverbial expression throughout the Old Testament signifying the lowest and most menial form of servitude. It implies hard, manual labor that is essential but lacks status or honor. The phrase "even unto this day" indicates the lasting impact of Joshua's decree, suggesting that this arrangement was still in effect when the Book of Joshua was compiled or read by its initial audience.

Practical Application

Joshua 9:27 offers several lessons for believers today. It reminds us that while God honors integrity and covenant faithfulness, deception, even if initially successful, ultimately leads to undesirable consequences. It also highlights how God can use even difficult or humble circumstances to serve His greater purposes. For the Gibeonites, their service, though forced, brought them into the proximity of God's people and His worship. This can encourage us to find purpose and meaning in all forms of service, understanding that all work done for the "congregation and for the altar of the LORD" has value in God's eyes, regardless of its perceived status. It also serves as a cautionary tale against making hasty decisions without seeking divine counsel, underscoring the importance of trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:5

    ยถ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
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