CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 9:21 They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation." So the leaders kept their promise.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/9-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/06_Jos_09_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 9:21 - The Deceit of the Gibeonites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They continued, Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation. So the leaders kept their promise." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/9-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/9-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/9-20.htm" title="Joshua 9:20">◄</a> Joshua 9:21 <a href="/joshua/9-22.htm" title="Joshua 9:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They continued, &#8220Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.&#8221 So the leaders&#8217 promise to them was kept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Let them live.” So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” And they became gatherers of firewood and labor to draw water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The leaders said to them, &#8220Let them live.&#8221 So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” Thus they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The leaders said to them, “Let them live [as our slaves].” So they became the cutters <i>and</i> gatherers of firewood and water carriers for the entire congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They also said, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They also said, &#8220Let them live.&#8221 So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had spoken unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The leaders said that they should be allowed to live. So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation, as the leaders had said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us." This was what the leaders suggested. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The leaders told them, "Let them live." So they became wood cutters and water carriers for the entire congregation, which is what the leaders had decided concerning them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They continued, ?Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.? So the leaders kept their promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The leaders then added, "Let them live." So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, and all the congregation did as the leaders had spoken to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood, and drawers of water to all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the princes say to them, “They live, and are hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes spoke to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the princes say unto them, 'They live, and are hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the company, as the princes spake to them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the chiefs will say to them, They shall live; and shall be cutting wood and drawing water to all the assembly as the chiefs spake to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But though they live, let them serve the entire multitude by cutting wood and carrying water.” And while they were discussing these things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus the leaders said to them, “Let them live, and become hewers of wood and drawers of water for the entire community.” So the community did as the leaders advised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the leaders had decided concerning them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the princes said to the children of Israel, Let them live; but let them become gatherers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation; so they became gatherers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation of the land; as the princes had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Princes were saying to the children Israel: “They shall live and they shall be gathering wood and filling water for all of the assembly.” And they were gatherers of wood and drawers of water for all of the congregation, just as the Princes said to them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the princes said concerning them: 'Let them live'; so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken concerning them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/9-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=2302" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm">The Deceit of the Gibeonites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5387.htm" title="5387: han·nə·śî·’îm (Art:: N-mp) -- Or nasi'; from nasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist.">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">continued,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: yiḥ·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">“Let them live,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·yih·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">but let them be</a> <a href="/hebrew/2404.htm" title="2404: ḥō·ṭə·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To cut or gather wood. A primitive root; to chop or carve wood.">woodcutters</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘ê·ṣîm (N-mp) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and water</a> <a href="/hebrew/7579.htm" title="7579: wə·šō·’ă·ḇê- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To draw (water). A primitive root; to bale up water.">carriers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">for the whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: hā·‘ê·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">congregation.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/5387.htm" title="5387: han·nə·śî·’îm (Art:: N-mp) -- Or nasi'; from nasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist.">the leaders</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·bə·rū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">kept their promise.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-11.htm">Deuteronomy 29:11</a></span><br />your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-21.htm">1 Kings 9:21</a></span><br />their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-7.htm">2 Chronicles 8:7-8</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/11-3.htm">Nehemiah 11:3</a></span><br />These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25-27</a></span><br />he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” / He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem. / May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11</a></span><br />So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-46</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-9.htm">1 Samuel 4:9</a></span><br />Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">1 Kings 5:13-14</a></span><br />Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. / He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17-18</a></span><br />Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all. / Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">Isaiah 14:1-2</a></span><br />For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. / The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-11</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a></span><br />It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43-45</a></span><br />But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. / For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-26.htm">Luke 22:26-27</a></span><br />But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.</p><p class="hdg">let them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23,27</a></b></br> Now therefore ye <i>are</i> cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-11.htm">Deuteronomy 29:11</a></b></br> Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that <i>is</i> in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17,18</a></b></br> And Solomon numbered all the strangers that <i>were</i> in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred… </p><p class="hdg">as the princes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/9-15.htm">Joshua 9:15</a></b></br> And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/9-19.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-25.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/numbers/32-2.htm">Community</a> <a href="/joshua/9-19.htm">Company</a> <a href="/joshua/9-19.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/joshua/6-13.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/joshua/7-9.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-39.htm">Drawers</a> <a href="/joshua/8-11.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/joshua/9-20.htm">Live</a> <a href="/joshua/9-19.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-18.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/joshua/1-3.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/joshua/9-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/9-19.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Woodcutters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Community</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Company</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/joshua/15-3.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Drawers</a> <a href="/joshua/10-7.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/joshua/9-22.htm">Live</a> <a href="/joshua/13-21.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-21.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/joshua/13-33.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/10-13.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Woodcutters</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">The kings combine against Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-3.htm">The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/9-22.htm">They are condemned to perpetual bondage</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They continued, “Let them live,</b><br>This phrase reflects the decision made by the Israelite leaders regarding the Gibeonites, who had deceived them into making a peace treaty. The decision to let them live is significant in the context of the covenant made before God, highlighting the importance of keeping one's word even when made under false pretenses. This decision aligns with the biblical principle of honoring oaths (<a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>).<p><b>but let them be woodcutters and water carriers</b><br>The role of woodcutters and water carriers was a menial and servile position, often assigned to the lowest social classes or foreigners. This decision ensured the Gibeonites' survival while placing them in a position of servitude. This reflects the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, where conquered peoples were often subjected to forced labor. The Gibeonites' role can be seen as a type of servitude that points to the servitude of sin and the need for redemption, which is fulfilled in Christ (<a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a>).<p><b>for the whole congregation.”</b><br>The phrase indicates that the Gibeonites were to serve the entire community of Israel, not just a specific tribe or group. This communal aspect underscores the unity and collective responsibility of the Israelite nation. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of service and humility, as seen in the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who emphasized serving others (<a href="/mark/10-44.htm">Mark 10:44-45</a>).<p><b>So the leaders kept their promise.</b><br>This statement highlights the integrity and faithfulness of the Israelite leaders in upholding their covenant, despite the deception involved. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and truthfulness in leadership. This act of keeping their promise can be connected to the character of God, who is always faithful to His promises (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a>). It also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the faithful and true witness (<a href="/revelation/3-14.htm">Revelation 3:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for making decisions regarding the Gibeonites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeonites.htm">Gibeonites</a></b><br>A group of people from Gibeon who deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, led by Joshua, who are in the process of conquering the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/leaders_of_israel.htm">Leaders of Israel</a></b><br>The elders and officials who made the decision to let the Gibeonites live and serve as woodcutters and water carriers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The agreement made between the Israelites and the Gibeonites, which was based on deception but was honored by the Israelites due to their oath before God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>The Israelites failed to seek God's guidance before making a treaty with the Gibeonites. This teaches us the importance of seeking divine wisdom in our decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/honoring_commitments.htm">Honoring Commitments</a></b><br>Despite the deception, the Israelites honored their oath to the Gibeonites. This underscores the importance of integrity and keeping our promises, even when it is inconvenient.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_deception.htm">Consequences of Deception</a></b><br>The Gibeonites' deception led to their servitude. This serves as a reminder that deceit can have long-lasting consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human error, God's plans are not thwarted. The Gibeonites' inclusion in Israel's community shows God's ability to work through imperfect situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/service_as_a_form_of_redemption.htm">Service as a Form of Redemption</a></b><br>The Gibeonites' role as woodcutters and water carriers allowed them to serve the community and be part of God's people, illustrating how service can be redemptive.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_prophecy_have_dual_fulfillment.htm">What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_gibeonites.htm">What is the identity of the Gibeonites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_non-biblical_gibeonite_record.htm">Why is there no clear historical or archeological record outside the Bible confirming Gibeonite tribute (Joshua 9:21)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_gibeon's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Said unto them,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, to the Israelites. <span class="cmt_word">But let them be.</span> Rather, <span class="accented">and they were</span>, with Rosenmuller and Keil. See Keil <span class="accented">in loc.</span> for the force of the Vau conversive. The LXX. and Vulgate render as our version. <span class="cmt_word">Hewers of wood and drawers of water.</span> Some amount of casuistry has been displayed upon this passage. But the fairness of the proceeding seems clear enough. The Gibeonites had escaped death by a fraud. For that fraud they deserved punishment. Their lives were spared by virtue of a solemn oath. But equality of rights had never been promised them. They might think themselves well off if they escaped destruction, even though they might be condemned permanently to occupy a servile condition. They appear to have assisted at the tabernacle worship, since they were condemned to serve, not individual Israelites, but the congregation. Such was the office of the <span class="hebrew">נְתִינִים</span> (Nethinhim <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the given or devoted) in the later history of Judah (see <a href="/1_chronicles/9-2.htm">1 Chronicles 9:2</a>; <a href="/ezra/2-43.htm">Ezra 2:43-54, 58, 70</a>; and Ezra 8:20. See also Drusius and Masius <span class="accented">in loc.</span>). The latter discusses the question whether the Nethinim were really the Gibeonites, or whether David, as stated in <a href="/ezra/8-20.htm">Ezra 8:20</a>, instituted a new order of persons to take their place. If the latter were the case, then we have a proof that the Book of Joshua was written anterior to the time of David. It seems quite possible that Saul (<a href="/2_samuel/21-6.htm">2 Samuel 21:6</a>) had all but exterminated the Gibeonites, and that David was compelled to institute a new order in their stead. If this suggestion be correct, and it is far from improbable, we have here an undesigned coincidence strongly supporting the credit of the narrative, in the place of Knobel's insinuation, contained in the words, that "the Elohist in Saul's time gives no hint of this, although he took the greatest interest in the persons engaged in God's service." <span class="cmt_word">As the princes had promised them.</span> These words as they stand are unintelligible. No such promise had been given. The literal rendering is "as the princes" (see note on ver. 15) "said to them," by the mouth of Joshua, as recorded in ver. 23. The Syriac Version supplies some words here to make up for a supposed deficiency in the text. But this is not necessary. The repetition in vers. 23 and 27 is quite in the manner of the historian. Nor are the words "as the princes said to them" explicable on the supposition that the words after, "let them live," are the words of the princes (see note above). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/9-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(han·nə·śî·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5387.htm">Strong's 5387: </a> </span><span class="str2">An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">continued,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֧וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let them live,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִֽחְי֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiḥ·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but let them be</span><br /><span class="heb">וַ֠יִּֽהְיוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">woodcutters</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹטְבֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·ṭə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2404.htm">Strong's 2404: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut or gather wood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and water</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">carriers</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹֽׁאֲבֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·’ă·ḇê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7579.htm">Strong's 7579: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bale up water</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the whole</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">congregation.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ê·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stated assemblage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the leaders</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(han·nə·śî·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5387.htm">Strong's 5387: </a> </span><span class="str2">An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kept their promise.</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְּר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(dib·bə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">OT History: Joshua 9:21 The princes said to them Let them (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/9-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 9:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 9:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/9-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 9:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 9:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>