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<!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 9:23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/9-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/06_Jos_09_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 9:23 - The Deceit of the Gibeonites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God." /><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/9-23.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/9-23.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 23</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="/ad3.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/9-22.htm" title="Joshua 9:22">◄</a> Joshua 9:23 <a href="/joshua/9-24.htm" title="Joshua 9:24">►</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 />You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />May you be cursed! From now on you will always be servants who cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, you <i>are</i> cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, you are cursed, and you will never cease to be slaves, both gatherers of firewood and labor to draw water for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall never cease being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall never cease being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, you are cursed, and you shall never be cut loose from being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall always be slaves, both cutters <i>and</i> gatherers of firewood and water carriers for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore you are cursed and will always be slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore you are cursed and will always be slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So now you are under a curse, and from now on your people will have to send workers to cut wood and carry water for the place of worship." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You are under a curse now. You will always be servants. You will be woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Because you did this, God has condemned you. Your people will always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the sanctuary of my God." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore you are under a curse. Some of you will always be slaves, wood cutters, and water carriers for the house of my God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be bondservants, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bond-men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now you are cursed, and none of you is cut off [from being] a servant, even hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and now, cursed are ye, and none of you is cut off from being a servant, even hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the house of my God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now ye are cursed, and there shall not be cut off from you to serve, and hewing wood and drawing water for the house of my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water unto the house of my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, you shall be under a curse, and your stock shall not cease to be cutters of wood and carriers of water, into the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now are you accursed: every one of you shall always be a slave, hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the house of my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall always be slaves, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being gatherers of wood and drawers of water for the house of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Therefore you will be cursed and there will not fail from you a man, a gatherer of wood and a fetcher of water for the house of God”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now ye are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/9-23.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=2322" 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">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? <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now therefore</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/779.htm" title="779: ’ă·rū·rîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To curse. A primitive root; to execrate.">are under a curse</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and will perpetually</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: yik·kā·rêṯ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant."></a> <a href="/hebrew/mik·kem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘e·ḇeḏ (N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/2404.htm" title="2404: wə·ḥō·ṭə·ḇê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To cut or gather wood. A primitive root; to chop or carve wood.">as 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/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">for the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of my God.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.…<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="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25</a></span><br />he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20-21</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / 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_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-2</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/3-26.htm">Nehemiah 3:26</a></span><br />and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/11-21.htm">Nehemiah 11:21</a></span><br />The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/27-19.htm">Exodus 27:19</a></span><br />All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, including all its tent pegs and the tent pegs of the courtyard, shall be made of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28-29</a></span><br />Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-2.htm">1 Chronicles 9:2</a></span><br />Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.<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="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22</a></span><br />And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-9.htm">John 4:9</a></span><br />“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4</a></span><br />the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a></span><br />All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12</a></span><br />remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being slaves, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25,26</a></b></br> And he said, Cursed <i>be</i> Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28,29</a></b></br> Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, <i>both</i> of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing <i>is</i> most holy unto the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Joshua 9:21,27</a></b></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… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/4-24.htm">Always</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-2.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/joshua/5-12.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/joshua/7-15.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/joshua/8-22.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Drawers</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/joshua/7-18.htm">House</a> <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Woodcutters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-22.htm">Always</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-16.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-21.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/joshua/22-25.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/joshua/22-20.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/joshua/10-10.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Drawers</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/joshua/17-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/joshua/9-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/joshua/9-24.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/16-10.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-9.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.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>Now therefore you are under a curse</b><br>This phrase refers to the Gibeonites, who deceived Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them. The curse is a consequence of their deception. In biblical terms, a curse often signifies divine judgment or punishment. This echoes the curse pronounced on the serpent in <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14</a> and the curse on Canaan in <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25</a>. Theologically, it reflects the seriousness of deceit and the importance of truthfulness in covenant relationships.<p><b>and will perpetually serve</b><br>The use of "perpetually" indicates a lasting condition, suggesting that the Gibeonites' servitude was intended to be ongoing. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice where defeated peoples often became servants or vassals to their conquerors. It also highlights the theme of servitude as a consequence of sin, reminiscent of Israel's own servitude in Egypt.<p><b>as woodcutters and water carriers</b><br>These roles were menial and labor-intensive, often assigned to the lowest social classes or to foreigners. In the context of the tabernacle and later the temple, woodcutters would provide wood for sacrifices, and water carriers would supply water for ritual purification. This service, while humble, was essential for the worship practices of Israel, indicating that even in judgment, the Gibeonites were integrated into the religious life of Israel.<p><b>for the house of my God</b><br>This phrase signifies that the Gibeonites' service was dedicated to the worship and maintenance of the tabernacle, and later the temple. It underscores the centrality of worship in Israel's community life and the importance of the tabernacle as the dwelling place of God among His people. This service to the "house of my God" can be seen as a type of redemption, where even those under a curse are given a role in the sacred service, prefiguring the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for enforcing the covenant and dealing with the Gibeonites' deception.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeonites.htm">Gibeonites</a></b><br>A group of people from the city of 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 chosen people of God, led by Joshua, who are in the process of conquering the Promised Land as commanded by God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites are in the process of conquering.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_curse.htm">The Curse</a></b><br>The consequence imposed on the Gibeonites for their deception, making them perpetual servants to the Israelites, specifically as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god's_guidance.htm">The Importance of Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>The Israelites' failure to consult God before making a treaty with the Gibeonites serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_deception.htm">Consequences of Deception</a></b><br>The Gibeonites' deception led to a curse, illustrating that deceit can have long-lasting consequences, even when forgiveness is granted.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_mercy.htm">God's Sovereignty and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite the deception, God uses the situation to fulfill His purposes, showing His sovereignty and mercy in turning a negative situation into a service for His house.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_servanthood.htm">The Role of Servanthood</a></b><br>The Gibeonites' role as servants for the house of God highlights the value and dignity of service in God's kingdom, even when it comes as a result of judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_covenants.htm">Faithfulness to Covenants</a></b><br>The Israelites' adherence to the treaty with the Gibeonites, despite the deception, underscores the importance of faithfulness to one's word and covenants.<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/why_were_canaanites_cursed_as_slaves.htm">Why were the Canaanites cursed with enslavement?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_swift_israelite_conquests.htm">In Joshua 23:9, what archaeological evidence supports or contradicts the claim that large nations were driven out swiftly by the Israelites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_joshua_seek_divine_guidance.htm">Why did Joshua fail to seek divine guidance (Joshua 9:14) before making a treaty?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.</span>--The precedent established in regard to the Gibeonites appears to have been followed by Solomon in his dealings with all the remnant of the doomed nations of Canaan who were not destroyed. (See <a href="/context/1_kings/9-20.htm" title="And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,">1Kings 9:20-21</a>; <a href="/context/2_chronicles/8-7.htm" title="As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,">2Chronicles 8:7-8</a>.) It is thought that they are to be recognised in the Nethinim of Ezra and Nehemiah, who come after the Levites, singers, and porters in the enumeration of the restored captives (<a href="/ezra/2-43.htm" title="The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,">Ezra 2:43</a>). Compare also the mention of Solomon's servants (<a href="/ezra/2-58.htm" title="All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.">Ezra 2:58</a>), whose children are coupled with the Nethinim. The existence of this large body of Canaanites should be remembered in considering the edict of the law of Moses, that the seven nations were to be destroyed. The sentence was clearly not executed on the mass of the non-resisting population.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There shall none of you be freed from being bondmen</span>. Literally, as margin, <span class="accented">there shall not be cut off from you a servant</span>, as in <a href="/2_samuel/3-29.htm">2 Samuel 3:29</a>, and <a href="/1_kings/2-4.htm">1 Kings 2:4</a>. The sense is, "you shall not cease to be servants." The term "bondmen" is somewhat too strong. The <span class="hebrew">עֶבֶד</span> was usually a bondman among the Hebrews, but not always (see <a href="/1_samuel/29-3.htm">1 Samuel 29:3</a>; <a href="/1_kings/11-26.htm">1 Kings 11:26</a>, etc.). But the Gibeonites were to be employed forever in servile work. Hewing of wood and drawing of water was a task frequently imposed on the strangers (probably captives) dwelling among the Israelites, as we learn from <a href="/deuteronomy/29-11.htm">Deuteronomy 29:11</a>. We are not directly told that, as Keil and others have stated, the "lowest of the people" had to perform this office. It is, however, implied that the stranger who performed it occupied the lowest social station in the community. "Si qui tales sunt in nobis, quorum tides tantummodo habet ut ad Ecclesiam veniant, et inclinent caput suum sacerdotibus, officia exhibeant, servos Dei honorent, ad ornatum quoque altaris vel Ecclesiae aliquid conferant, non tamen adhibeant studium ut etiam mores suos excolant, actus emendent, vitia deponant, castitatem colant, iracundiam mitigent, avaritiam reprirnant, rapacitatem refrenant, maleloquia et stultiloquia, vel scurrilitatem et obtrectationum venena ex ore suo non adimant, sciant sibi, qui tales sunt, qui emendare se nolunt, sed in his usque in senectutem ultimam perseverant, partem sortemque at Jesu Domino cum Gabaonitis esse tribuendam" (Orig., Horn. 10 on Joshua). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/9-23.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">Now therefore</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are under a curse</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲרוּרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rū·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> </span><span class="str2">To execrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and will perpetually</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">serve</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֗בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as woodcutters</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֹטְבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥō·ṭə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">מַ֖יִם</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 house</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבֵ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my God.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">OT History: Joshua 9:23 Now therefore you are cursed and some (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/9-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 9:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 9:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/9-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 9:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 9:24" /></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>