Joshua 9 27

Joshua 9:27 kjv

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.

Joshua 9:27 nkjv

And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, in the place which He would choose, even to this day.

Joshua 9:27 niv

That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day.

Joshua 9:27 esv

But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to this day, in the place that he should choose.

Joshua 9:27 nlt

But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and for the altar of the LORD ? wherever the LORD would choose to build it. And that is what they do to this day.

Joshua 9 verses

Joshua 9 27 Meaning

Joshua chapter 9, verse 27 details the long-term consequence and designation of the Gibeonites after their deceptive oath with Israel. It states that Joshua made them perpetual hewers of wood and drawers of water, serving both the Israelite congregation and the altar of the Lord, a status that endured until the time the account was written. This verse underscores the fulfillment of the oath made to the Gibeonites, integrating them into Israelite society in a menial, servile role directly related to the tabernacle and communal needs.

Joshua 9 27 Context

Joshua 9 takes place immediately after Israel's victories at Jericho and Ai, establishing their presence in Canaan. The Gibeonites, hearing of Israel's might and God's commands to destroy the Canaanites, devise a scheme to save themselves. They present themselves as foreigners from a distant land, and the Israelites, notably failing to "ask counsel from the mouth of the Lord" (Josh 9:14), enter into a peace treaty and an oath to let them live. Once the deception is discovered, Israel is bound by their oath sworn "by the Lord God of Israel," even though it was obtained by fraud and directly violated God's command to not make treaties with the land's inhabitants (Deut 7:2). Joshua 9:27 records the specific, lifelong, and hereditary consequence of this oath: the Gibeonites were not to be killed but instead were relegated to a perpetual status of servitude, directly supporting the spiritual and practical needs of the Israelite community and their worship. This context highlights the tension between divine command, human error, and the sanctity of an oath made in God's name.

Joshua 9 27 Word analysis

• So Joshua (וַיִּתְּנֵם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, vayittenem Yehoshua): The verbal root nathan means "to give, put, place, appoint." Here it carries the weight of authority, indicating Joshua's formal decree and the Gibeonites' permanent assignment by Israel's leader, solidifying their future status. It reflects the outcome of Israel's binding oath, now administered by Joshua.
• made them (וַיִּתְּנֵם): The suffix "them" directly refers to the Gibeonites. It signifies a decisive, established status that was imposed upon them.
• that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyom hahu): A common biblical phrase denoting immediacy and definitive action, emphasizing that their new status as servants was enacted immediately after the discovery of their deception and Joshua's decree.
• hewers of wood (חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים, khotvei etsim): A specific, laborious task involving the cutting and gathering of timber. Wood was essential for fires, particularly for burnt offerings on the altar, as well as for cooking and other daily needs of the large Israelite camp. It represented heavy, unskilled labor.
• and drawers of water (וְשֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם, vəsho'avei mayim): Another physically demanding and repetitive task, crucial for the congregation's consumption, ritual purifications, and maintenance of the sanctuary. These tasks underscore a perpetual state of servitude, providing basic but vital necessities.
• for the congregation (לָעֵדָה, la'edah): Refers to the entire assembly or community of Israel. This part of their service ensured that the needs of the general populace were met, indicating a broad practical integration into Israelite daily life and its logistics.
• and for the altar of the Lord (וּלְמִזְבַּח יְהוָה, ulmizbeach Yahweh): This specific designation ties their servitude directly to sacred space and ritual. Wood was for the sacrificial fire, and water was for various cultic purposes (washing, purification). This elevation from general menial labor to "holy" service, albeit involuntary, provided them a unique, though subordinate, place within Israel's spiritual life.
• at the place that He should choose (בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחָר, bammaqom asher yivchar): A characteristic Deuteronomic phrase (cf. Deut 12:5, 12:11). It points prophetically to the future central sanctuary, such as Shiloh or Jerusalem. This emphasizes that their service was tied not just to a temporary tabernacle but to the permanent, divinely appointed worship center of Israel for generations to come, implying the longevity of their assigned role.
• to this day (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, ad hayyom hazzeh): A common historical marker in biblical narrative. It confirms that the decree made by Joshua was not a temporary measure but established a long-standing, enduring institution that was still in effect at the time the Book of Joshua was written, demonstrating the reality and continuity of their servitude and the sacredness of the oath. This phrase reinforces the Gibeonites' historical and continued presence in this role within Israel.

Words-group analysis:

• hewers of wood and drawers of water: This phrase encapsulates a status of fundamental, indispensable, yet lowly service. It became an idiom for menial labor. Their survival was contingent on accepting this role, thus balancing the consequence of their deception with the fulfillment of the oath.
• for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord: This highlights a duality in their service – both practical community needs and direct religious duties. It illustrates that even deception could not entirely derail divine plans; rather, it subjected the Gibeonites to God's chosen people, fulfilling a role for God's purposes, however subservient. Their ongoing presence also became a tangible reminder to Israel of their own faithfulness (or lack thereof) to sworn oaths.
• at the place that He should choose, to this day: This emphasizes the enduring nature and future-oriented aspect of their servitude. Their role was not confined to a single generation or location but was foundational and permanent within Israel's evolving worship structure, implying God's providential ordering even through human failings and deceptions. It signifies the lasting historical impact of the events described.

Joshua 9 27 Bonus section

The Gibeonites, through their cunning and subsequent servitude, represent an unusual case of "foreigners" becoming embedded within the heart of Israelite worship. Their later historical connection to the Nethinim ("given ones") further illustrates how these perpetual servants were formally organized and recognized within the temple administration, particularly prominent in post-exilic times (Ezra 8:20, Neh 3:26, 7:46-60). This situation can be seen as an ironic fulfillment of aspects of the Abrahamic covenant – "I will bless those who bless you, and curse him who dishonors you" (Gen 12:3). While Gibeon's actions were deceptive, they led to a kind of 'blessing' in that they preserved their lives within Israel, becoming integrated into a society directly related to God's presence, rather than being utterly destroyed. This incident provided a critical early lesson for Israel concerning discernment and the sacred weight of promises made in the Lord's name, reminding them that their words had divine backing and irreversible consequences. It also illustrates how divine sovereignty can overrule immediate commands for the sake of larger, overarching principles like oath fidelity, ensuring that God's people learned trust in Him and integrity.

Joshua 9 27 Commentary

Joshua 9:27 encapsulates the lasting repercussions of the Gibeonites' deception and Israel's oath. Despite the command to eradicate all Canaanites, the oath sworn "by the Lord" took precedence, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to the sanctity of an oath, even when made under duress or deception. This divine upholding of an oath served as a profound lesson for Israel regarding the seriousness of their commitments before God. The Gibeonites were integrated into Israel's system, fulfilling a vital role in providing manual labor for the communal upkeep and the ongoing functions of the tabernacle/temple service. Their perpetual status as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" became a living monument to their lie and Israel's vow. It highlights that while sin and deception have consequences, God can mercifully incorporate even those caught in sin into His wider redemptive purposes, ultimately serving His glory, albeit in a subordinate capacity. Their survival and unique servitude stand as an anomalous case, showing how divine principles of justice (consequence for deception) and mercy (preserving life due to an oath) can converge. This status persisted for centuries, influencing future generations and their worship practices, indicating its profound impact on Israel's identity and religious life.