Joshua 9:27
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed is that this seemingly harsh servitude wasn't just punishment; it was a pathway to immense privilege. By being designated "hewers of wood and drawers of water," the Gibeonites were forever attached to the service of God's altar, granting them a unique proximity to the divine presence that they would otherwise never have known.
After the Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who claimed to be from a distant land, Joshua confronts them. Though bound by an oath not to harm them, Joshua sentences the Gibeonites to perpetual servitude. They are condemned to serve the Israelite community and the Tabernacle, cutting wood and drawing water for the altar.
Joshua and the elders of Israel made a covenant with the Gibeonites, but soon discovered they had been tricked. Yet, the oath still stood. What does this teach us about promises and God's name?
The Gibeonites used deception to secure a treaty with Israel, claiming to be from a distant land when they were actually neighbors. When the truth was revealed, the Israelites were understandably angry and felt betrayed.
However, the princes of Israel recognized the gravity of the oath they had sworn 'by the LORD God of Israel.' Even though they had been deceived, they understood that breaking an oath sworn in God's name carried serious consequences. Calvin highlights that the sacred name of God is more precious than any earthly gain, and an oath, even one made in error, must be honored.
This principle shows that God takes our promises, especially those involving His name, very seriously. While the Gibeonites were punished for their deceit, Israel was bound by their word, demonstrating that integrity in keeping promises is paramount.
The Gibeonites, caught in their deception, were not destroyed but given a specific role. What did it mean for them to become 'cutters of wood and drawers of water' for Israel?
Instead of being annihilated, the Gibeonites were assigned the role of perpetual servants to the Israelite congregation and, more specifically, to the altar of the LORD. This meant they were responsible for the menial tasks required for both the community's needs and the sanctuary's upkeep.
This included tasks like providing wood for the altar fires and drawing water for purification and other uses. As commentators note, this was considered the lowest form of labor. However, the verse emphasizes that this service was 'for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD.' This context elevates their forced labor. It wasn't just drudgery; it was service directed towards God's presence among His people.
This situation paradoxically granted the Gibeonites ongoing access to the worship and presence of the true God, a privilege that many outside Israel did not have. Their punishment became an unexpected pathway to religious proximity and, ultimately, potential salvation.
Understand the original words
‘ēdāh · Hebrew Noun
The organized community of God's people, gathered together to worship, serve, and fulfill their covenantal responsibilities before the Lord.
mizbēaḥ · Hebrew Noun
A structure or place where sacrifices and offerings are presented to God, symbolizing the meeting point between the holy God and sinful humanity and the necessity of atonement.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His faithfulness, holiness, and active presence with His people.
This incident highlights the tension between divine command to eradicate the Canaanites and the obligation of an oath, even one procured by deception. The Gibeonites' perpetual servitude became a lasting reminder of this complex situation, integrating them into Israelite society in a subservient role.
c. 1400 BC
Israel enters the Promised Land
Following decades of wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, crossed the Jordan River to begin their conquest of Canaan, as commanded by God.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of Jericho and Ai
Initial Israelite victories at Jericho and Ai established their military presence, but a later defeat at Ai highlighted the need for adherence to God's commands.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Deception by the Gibeonites
The Gibeonites, a Canaanite city, disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land to trick Joshua and the Israelite leaders into forming a peace treaty.
c. 1400 BC
Discovery of the Deception
After three days, the Israelites discovered the Gibeonites' true identity and proximity, leading to a crisis of faith and a potential breach of oath.
This passage highlights that obedience and serving God are more valuable than sacrifices, echoing the principle behind the Gibeonites' perpetual service as a consequence of their deception despite the oath sworn to them.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23These verses speak to the importance of keeping vows and oaths made to the Lord. The Joshua passage shows the Israelites upholding their oath, even when made under false pretenses, to avoid breaking God's command about oaths.
Matthew 6:24Jesus teaches that one cannot serve two masters. The Gibeonites, by their deception, chose to serve the 'masters' of their own fear and cunning, resulting in a life of servitude, a stark contrast to serving God wholeheartedly.
1 Corinthians 7:21-23Paul advises that if a person is a slave when called, they should not worry about it, and that those who are free can become slaves for Christ. This resonates with the Gibeonites' status becoming one of perpetual servitude, emphasizing that our calling and status in God's service are what truly matter.
Psalm 84:10The Psalmist declares it is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. The Gibeonites, despite their forced servitude, were placed in a position to serve at the altar of the Lord, a humbling privilege with eternal significance.
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 9:27: "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 made them that day,.... Constituted and appointed them, ordered and settled them, in the post and office after mentioned; or "gave" them (u); hence some think they had the name Nethinim, persons given to the Levites for the service of the sanctuary: namely, to be hewers of wood and drawers of wat…
What's easily missed is that this seemingly harsh servitude wasn't just punishment; it was a pathway to immense privilege. By being designated "hewers of wood and drawers of water," the Gibeonites were forever attached to the service of God's altar, granting them a unique proximity to the divine presence that they would otherwise never have known.
After the Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who claimed to be from a distant land, Joshua confronts them. Though bound by an oath not to harm them, Joshua sentences the Gibeonites to perpetual servitude. They are condemned to serve the Israelite community and the Tabernacle, cutting wood and drawing water for the altar.
After the Israelites discover they’ve been tricked by the Gibeonites, who claimed to be from a distant land, Joshua confronts them. Though bound by an oath not to harm them, Joshua sentences the Gibeonites to perpetual servitude. They are condemned to serve the Israelite community and the Tabernacle, cutting wood and drawing water for the altar.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Joshua 9:27 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1400 BC
Gibeonites made perpetual servants
Joshua, bound by the oath sworn to the Gibeonites, spared their lives but condemned them to lifelong service as woodcutters and water-drawers for the Israelite congregation and altar.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest continues
Despite this diplomatic incident, the Israelites continued their military campaign against other Canaanite cities, though the presence of the Gibeonites presented a unique challenge.
"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." — What's easily missed is that this seemingly harsh servitude wasn't just punishment; it was a pathway to immense privilege. By being designated "hewers of wood and drawers of water," the Gibeonites we…
