King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:23 Mean?

Joshua 9:23 in the King James Version says “Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 9:23 · KJV

Context

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

24

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

25

And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore ye are cursed (וְעַתָּה אֲרוּרִים אַתֶּם, ve'atah arurim atem)—Joshua pronounced a perpetual curse making the Gibeonites temple servants. The specific tasks—hewers of wood and drawers of water (חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם, chotevei etzim vesho'avei mayim)—were menial labors supporting tabernacle worship. This curse paradoxically became blessing: service in God's house rather than annihilation.

The phrase echoes Deuteronomy 29:11, where such servants were included in covenant assembly. God transformed judicial penalty into gracious incorporation—Canaanites destined for destruction became perpetual temple servants. This prefigures Christ's reversal of Adam's curse, where those condemned become sons who serve joyfully in the Father's house. The Gibeonites' descendants, the Nethinim, faithfully served through Israel's history (Ezra 2:43-58, Nehemiah 3:26).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Gibeonites' temple service continued for centuries. During Saul's reign, his massacre of Gibeonites violated Joshua's oath, bringing divine judgment requiring atonement (2 Samuel 21:1-14). The Nethinim (temple servants) who returned from Babylonian exile included Gibeonite descendants. Their service demonstrated that proximity to God's presence—even in servitude—surpassed autonomy in pagan darkness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Gibeonites' curse-turned-blessing illustrate God's ability to transform judgment into mercy for those who fear Him?
  2. What does their perpetual service in God's house teach about the privilege of worship over worldly freedom?
  3. How does this narrative foreshadow the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant community through Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְעַתָּ֖ה1 of 13
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֲרוּרִ֣ים2 of 13

“Now therefore ye are cursed”

H779

to execrate

אַתֶּ֑ם3 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְלֹֽא4 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִכָּרֵ֨ת5 of 13

“and there shall none of you be freed”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִכֶּ֜ם6 of 13
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

עֶ֗בֶד7 of 13

“from being bondmen”

H5650

a servant

וְחֹֽטְבֵ֥י8 of 13

“and hewers”

H2404

to chop or carve wood

עֵצִ֛ים9 of 13

“of wood”

H6086

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

וְשֹֽׁאֲבֵי10 of 13

“and drawers”

H7579

to bale up water

מַ֖יִם11 of 13

“of water”

H4325

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

לְבֵ֥ית12 of 13

“for the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהָֽי׃13 of 13

“of my God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 9:23 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 9:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 9:21Joshua 9:27Leviticus 27:28-29Genesis 9:25-26

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