Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept. New Living Translation Let them live.” So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise. Berean Literal Bible And the rulers said to them, “Let them live; and let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation,” which the rulers had spoken to them. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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.” New American Standard Bible 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. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible 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. Amplified Bible The leaders said to them, “Let them live [as our slaves].” So they became the cutters and gatherers of firewood and water carriers for the entire congregation, just as the leaders had said of them. Berean Annotated Bible They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation. So the leaders kept their promise. Christian Standard Bible They also said, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them. Holman Christian Standard Bible They also said, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them. American Standard Version 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. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation 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. Good News Translation Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us." This was what the leaders suggested. International Standard Version 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. NET Bible The leaders then added, "Let them live." So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd 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.” Berean Literal Bible And the rulers said to them, “Let them live; and let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation,” which the rulers had spoken to them. Young's Literal Translation 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.' Smith's Literal Translation 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things, Catholic Public Domain Version But though they live, let them serve the entire multitude by cutting wood and carrying water.” And while they were discussing these things, New American Bible 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. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd 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. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated 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 OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Deceit of the Gibeonites…20This 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.” 21They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise. 22Then 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?… Cross References They continued, “Let them live, Deuteronomy 20:10-11 When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. Joshua 11:19-20 No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. / For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses. 2 Samuel 21:1-2 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.) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers Deuteronomy 29:11 your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water— 2 Chronicles 8:7-8 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. 1 Kings 9:20-21 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. for the whole congregation.” Exodus 12:47-49 The whole congregation of Israel must celebrate it. / If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. / The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.” Deuteronomy 31:12-13 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Numbers 15:15-16 The assembly is to have the same statute both for you and for the foreign resident; it is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD. / The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.” So the leaders kept their promise. Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth. Psalm 15:4 who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath, 1 Kings 9:21 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. Nehemiah 11:3 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— Genesis 9:25-27 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.” Exodus 1:11 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. Treasury of Scripture 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. let them Joshua 9:23,27 Now therefore ye are 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… Deuteronomy 29:11 Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: 2 Chronicles 2:17,18 And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were 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… as the princes Joshua 9:15 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. Jump to Previous Assembly Carriers Community Company Congregation Continued Cutters Cutting Drawers Entire Hewers Live Princes Promise Promised Servants Water Whole Wood WoodcuttersJump to Next Assembly Carriers Community Company Congregation Continued Cutters Cutting Drawers Entire Hewers Live Princes Promise Promised Servants Water Whole Wood WoodcuttersJoshua 9 1. The kings combine against Israel3. The Gibeonites by craft obtain a league 22. They are condemned to perpetual bondage They continued, “Let them live, 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 (Numbers 30:2). but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for making decisions regarding the Gibeonites. 2. Gibeonites 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. 3. Israelites The people of God, led by Joshua, who are in the process of conquering the Promised Land. 4. Leaders of Israel The elders and officials who made the decision to let the Gibeonites live and serve as woodcutters and water carriers. 5. Covenant 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. Teaching Points The Importance of DiscernmentThe 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. Honoring Commitments 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. Consequences of Deception The Gibeonites' deception led to their servitude. This serves as a reminder that deceit can have long-lasting consequences. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs 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. Service as a Form of Redemption 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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:21?2. How does Joshua 9:21 demonstrate the importance of honoring commitments made before God? 3. What can we learn about discernment from the Israelites' decision in Joshua 9:21? 4. How does Joshua 9:21 connect to Jesus' teachings on honesty and integrity? 5. In what ways can we apply the lesson of servitude in Joshua 9:21 today? 6. How does Joshua 9:21 encourage us to seek God's guidance in decision-making? 7. Why did the Israelites choose to make the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers in Joshua 9:21? 8. How does Joshua 9:21 reflect on the theme of deception and its consequences? 9. What does Joshua 9:21 reveal about the Israelites' adherence to their oath despite being deceived? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 12. What is the identity of the Gibeonites? 13. Why is there no clear historical or archeological record outside the Bible confirming Gibeonite tribute (Joshua 9:21)? 14. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? What Does Joshua 9:21 Mean They continuedThe narrative picks up mid-conversation, showing that Israel’s leaders were still working through the dilemma created by the Gibeonites’ deception (Joshua 9:3-15). Their “continuing” highlights deliberate, thoughtful leadership rather than rash reaction, much like Joshua’s earlier pause to seek the Lord before battle (Joshua 7:6-9). It reminds us that steady obedience often involves ongoing dialogue and discernment (Proverbs 15:22). Let them live The leaders honor the oath they had sworn “by the LORD, the God of Israel” (Joshua 9:19). Even though the covenant was secured through trickery, the sanctity of their vow stands (Numbers 30:2; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). By sparing Gibeon, Israel models the command in Deuteronomy 23:21-23 to keep promises made in God’s name. Centuries later, Saul’s violation of this oath brought judgment on Israel (2 Samuel 21:1-2), underscoring how seriously God views covenant faithfulness. but let them be woodcutters and water carriers Granting life does not remove consequences. The Gibeonites receive a lifelong servant role that keeps them close to Israel’s worship life: • Woodcutters—supplying fuel for sacrifices (Leviticus 6:12-13). • Water carriers—providing cleansing water for priests and people (Exodus 30:17-21). This arrangement mercifully spares them yet also disciplines their deceit, echoing Genesis 3:17-19 where work becomes toil after sin. It illustrates how God can fold human failure into His purposes, turning deception into service that supports His sanctuary (Romans 8:28). for the whole congregation Service is not limited to a single tribe but benefits the entire nation, reflecting God’s inclusive concern for unity (Psalm 133:1). By placing foreigners in roles that sustain worship, the Lord foreshadows His plan to bring the nations into His house (Isaiah 56:6-7). The congregation’s daily sacrifices now depend on people once outside the covenant—a living picture of grace extending beyond ethnic boundaries (Ephesians 2:12-19). So the leaders kept their promise Leadership integrity stands out. Joshua and the princes choose obedience over expedience, valuing God’s honor above public opinion (Joshua 9:18). Their fidelity nurtures trust within Israel and sets a precedent for future leaders like David (1 Kings 9:4-5). It also confronts us with the call to keep our word—even when costly (Psalm 15:4; Matthew 5:37). summary Joshua 9:21 portrays a balanced response of mercy and justice. Israel spares the Gibeonites because a vow before the Lord is unbreakable, yet assigns them servant roles that both discipline their deceit and weave them into Israel’s worship life. The passage underscores the seriousness of oaths, the wisdom of measured leadership, and God’s ability to transform even flawed situations into avenues for His grace and glory. Verse 21. - Said unto them, i.e., to the Israelites. But let them be. Rather, and they were, with Rosenmuller and Keil. See Keil in loc. for the force of the Vau conversive. The LXX. and Vulgate render as our version. Hewers of wood and drawers of water. 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 נְתִינִים (Nethinhim i.e., the given or devoted) in the later history of Judah (see 1 Chronicles 9:2; Ezra 2:43-54, 58, 70; and Ezra 8:20. See also Drusius and Masius in loc.). The latter discusses the question whether the Nethinim were really the Gibeonites, or whether David, as stated in Ezra 8:20, 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 (2 Samuel 21:6) 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." As the princes had promised them. 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).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Theyהַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ים (han·nə·śî·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist continued, וַיֹּאמְר֧וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Let them live, יִֽחְי֑וּ (yiḥ·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2421: To live, to revive but let them be וַ֠יִּֽהְיוּ (way·yih·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be woodcutters חֹטְבֵ֨י (ḥō·ṭə·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 2404: To cut or gather wood and water מַ֙יִם֙ (ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen carriers וְשֹֽׁאֲבֵי־ (wə·šō·’ă·ḇê-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 7579: To bale up water for the whole לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every congregation.” הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage So כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the leaders הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃ (han·nə·śî·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist kept their promise. דִּבְּר֥וּ (dib·bə·rū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Links Joshua 9:21 NIVJoshua 9:21 NLT Joshua 9:21 ESV Joshua 9:21 NASB Joshua 9:21 KJV Joshua 9:21 BibleApps.com Joshua 9:21 Biblia Paralela Joshua 9:21 Chinese Bible Joshua 9:21 French Bible Joshua 9:21 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 9:21 The princes said to them Let them (Josh. Jos) |
    |