King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:21 Mean?

Joshua 9:21 in the King James Version says “And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congrega...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 9:21 · KJV

Context

19

But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

20

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

21

And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

22

And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

23

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. none: Heb. not be cut off from you

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse records the resolution of the Gibeonite deception (Joshua 9:3-27). The Hebrew phrase chotvei etzim (חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים, "hewers of wood") and sho'avei mayim (שֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם, "drawers of water") describe menial labor tasks, typically performed by the lowest social classes or servants. This formula appears elsewhere in Scripture denoting servile status (Deuteronomy 29:11).

The Gibeonites deceived Israel into making a covenant oath (verses 3-15), and Israel's leaders discovered the deception three days later. Despite the deception, Israel's princes honored the oath sworn in Yahweh's name, refusing to break covenant even when obtained through trickery. This decision demonstrates the absolute sanctity of oaths made in God's name—violating such an oath would profane Yahweh's holiness and bring divine judgment on Israel.

The compromise—sparing Gibeonite lives but reducing them to permanent servitude—balanced covenant fidelity with the command to destroy Canaan's inhabitants (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). The Gibeonites became servants "unto all the congregation," specifically for the tabernacle's service (verse 27). This outcome preserved the integrity of Israel's oath while preventing Gibeonite idolatry from contaminating Israel. Centuries later, King Saul's violation of this covenant by attempting to destroy the Gibeonites brought divine judgment (2 Samuel 21:1-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Gibeonites were Hivites living in a confederation of four cities (Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim) about six miles northwest of Jerusalem. Archaeological excavations at el-Jib (ancient Gibeon) have uncovered massive defensive walls and a sophisticated water system, confirming a significant city during the Late Bronze Age (Joshua's era, approximately 1400 BC).

The Gibeonites' deception—wearing old clothes, carrying moldy bread, and claiming to come from a distant country—successfully tricked Israel's leaders into making a peace treaty without consulting the LORD (verse 14). This failure recalls Israel's earlier presumption at Ai (Joshua 7), demonstrating the constant need for divine guidance.

Ancient Near Eastern treaties and oaths were considered absolutely binding, particularly when made in a deity's name. Breaking such oaths invited divine curse. The Gibeonites' servitude specifically involved tabernacle service—cutting wood for the altar fires and drawing water for purification rituals and priestly washing. This role continued for centuries; during David's time, Gibeonites still served the tabernacle. When Solomon built the Temple, their descendants (the Nethinim, "given ones") continued this service (Ezra 2:43-54; 8:20). The Gibeonite covenant demonstrates both the binding nature of oaths and God's sovereignty in using even human deception to accomplish His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage demonstrate the sanctity of oaths and the importance of keeping our word, even when inconvenient?
  2. What does Israel's failure to consult the LORD before making this covenant teach about the necessity of seeking divine guidance?
  3. How do we balance commitment to promises made under false pretenses with wisdom and justice?
  4. In what ways does God work through human mistakes and deception to accomplish His sovereign purposes?
  5. What does the Gibeonites' permanent servitude to the tabernacle reveal about God's ability to redeem compromised situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֧וּ1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֛ם2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃3 of 15

“And the princes”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

יִֽחְי֑וּ4 of 15

“unto them Let them live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וַ֠יִּֽהְיוּ5 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֹֽטְבֵ֨י6 of 15

“but let them be hewers”

H2404

to chop or carve wood

עֵצִ֤ים7 of 15

“of wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וְשֹֽׁאֲבֵי8 of 15

“and drawers”

H7579

to bale up water

מַ֙יִם֙9 of 15

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

לְכָל10 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה11 of 15

“unto all the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר12 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבְּר֥וּ13 of 15

“had promised”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לָהֶ֖ם14 of 15
H0
הַנְּשִׂיאִֽים׃15 of 15

“And the princes”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 9:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 9:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 29:11Joshua 9:27Joshua 9:23Joshua 9:152 Chronicles 2:17-18

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