And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The princes didn't just offer to spare the Gibeonites; they decreed they would become "cutters of wood and drawers of water," a phrase signifying perpetual, menial servitude specifically for the congregation's needs, including the sanctuary. This wasn't just a punishment for their deceit, but a repurposed role that ultimately served God's house, a subtle twist of irony in their deception.
And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who used fake provisions to convince them they were from a distant land. Despite the deception, the leaders feel bound by the oath they swore and decide to spare the Gibeonites’ lives, but they are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water-drawers for the congregation. The people grumble against their leaders for this decision, but the leaders stand firm, upholding the sanctity of their oath.
When the Israelites discovered they'd been tricked by the Gibeonites, their first instinct was anger. But their leaders made a crucial decision based on a solemn promise.
The Gibeonites came with a lie, posing as distant travelers seeking a treaty. When their deception was revealed, the Israelites were furious. However, the leaders, including Joshua, recognized that an oath, once sworn in God's name, carried immense weight. Even though they felt deceived, they couldn't simply break their word. This highlights a core principle: solemn promises made before God are binding, even if the circumstances later prove difficult or were based on falsehood. The leaders chose to honor the oath, prioritizing God's name and reputation over their immediate desire for retribution or correcting the Gibeonites' deceit. This shows a deep reverence for the sanctity of oaths, understanding that God's honor is at stake when His people make promises.
The Israelites couldn't undo their oath, but they also couldn't ignore the Gibeonites' deceit. How did they find a way to uphold both justice and mercy?
While the oath to spare the Gibeonites' lives had to be honored, their deception could not go unaddressed. The leaders determined a path that held the Gibeonites accountable without violating the sworn promise. They were not killed, but they were assigned a permanent role of servitude: 'hewers of wood and drawers of water.' This was a position of labor and humility, serving the entire congregation, particularly for the needs of the Tabernacle. This wasn't a simple cancellation of the oath, but a redefinition of the Gibeonites' place within Israel. It served as a punishment for their fraud while allowing them to live and contribute, albeit in a subservient capacity. This demonstrates a nuanced approach to justice – not just punishment, but a form of restorative service that acknowledges the wrong done.
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Understand the original words
nĕsiy'im · Hebrew Noun
People of authority or rank responsible for making decisions on behalf of a group. In this context, they represent the governing body of Israel.
'edah · Hebrew Noun
The entire body of Israelites, often used in the context of their identity as the covenant people of God gathered together.
The Gibeonites' deception, while successful in securing their lives through a sworn oath, resulted in a permanent, servile status for them. This event highlights the Israelites' failure to seek God's guidance in political matters and the weighty consequences of both deception and religiously binding oaths.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, crossed the Jordan River and began conquering the land of Canaan as God commanded.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Jericho and Ai
The initial military campaigns saw the dramatic fall of Jericho and the capture of Ai, establishing a foothold in Canaan and striking fear into neighboring peoples.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Gibeonites' Deception
The Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites' military success, used trickery with worn-out provisions and clothing to convince Joshua and the Israelite leaders that they came from a distant land, seeking a peace treaty.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Leaders' Decision
Having made a covenant with the Gibeonites without consulting the Lord, the Israelite princes were bound by their oath. They decided to spare the Gibeonites' lives but condemned them to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water-carriers for the congregation and the sanctuary.
c. 1400 BC
Discovery of the Deception
Three days after making the covenant, the Israelites discovered that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living in cities within Canaan, not a distant land as claimed. The congregation murmured against their leaders for this potentially disastrous pact.
c. 1400 BC
Perpetual Servitude Instituted
Joshua confronted the Gibeonites and confirmed their fate as 'hewers of wood and drawers of water,' a status that would persist for generations, serving the Tabernacle and the people of Israel.
This passage describes the stranger within Israel's gates, including the 'hewer of wood and drawer of water,' setting a precedent for the type of perpetual servitude the Gibeonites would face as a consequence of their deception.
1 Samuel 15:3This passage highlights God's command for complete destruction of the Amalekites, a stark contrast to Israel's oath-bound sparing of the Gibeonites, emphasizing the unique circumstances and divine directives that shaped the Gibeonites' fate.
Nehemiah 7:46This passage directly references the 'Nethinim,' who are understood by many scholars to be the descendants of the Gibeonites, showing their continued role as temple servants generations later, fulfilling the prophecy of their perpetual service.
Psalm 15:4This psalm describes the character of one who dwells in God's tabernacle, including one who 'swears to his own hurt and does not change,' reflecting the ethical dilemma and resolution faced by Joshua and the princes regarding their oath to the Gibeonites.
calvinJoshua 9:16-27: "And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them."
And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
Profectique sunt filii Israel, et venerunt ad urbes ipsorum die tertio. Urbes autem eorum erant Gibeon, Chephirat, Beeroth, Ciriatjearlm.
And…
gillJoshua 9:21: "And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them."
And the princes said to them, let them live,.... They were very pressing upon them, and importunate with them, to save their lives, because of the oath they had taken: (but let them be hewers of wood, and drawers of water, unto all the congregation): which was a very low and mean employment, Deuteronomy 29:11; as well as w…
The princes didn't just offer to spare the Gibeonites; they decreed they would become "cutters of wood and drawers of water," a phrase signifying perpetual, menial servitude specifically for the congregation's needs, including the sanctuary. This wasn't just a punishment for their deceit, but a repurposed role that ultimately served God's house, a subtle twist of irony in their deception.
The Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who used fake provisions to convince them they were from a distant land. Despite the deception, the leaders feel bound by the oath they swore and decide to spare the Gibeonites’ lives, but they are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water-drawers for the congregation. The people grumble against their leaders for this decision, but the leaders stand firm, upholding the sanctity of their oath.
The Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who used fake provisions to convince them they were from a distant land. Despite the deception, the leaders feel bound by the oath they swore and decide to spare the Gibeonites’ lives, but they are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water-drawers for the congregation. The people grumble against their leaders for this decision, but the leaders stand firm, upholding the sanctity of their oath.
"And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them." — The princes didn't just offer to spare the Gibeonites; they decreed they would become "cutters of wood and drawers of water," a phrase signifying perpetual, menial servitude specifically for the cong…
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Last reviewed October 2026