And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

JOSHUA 9:27KJV
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Joshua 9:27 (KJV)

What does Joshua 9:27 mean?

Joshua 9:27 explains that Joshua assigned the Gibeonites to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelite community and for the altar of the LORD, and that this arrangement continued in the place God would choose, lasting up to the writer’s present day. This verse shows the outcome of the agreement Joshua made with the Gibeonites after they sought peace with Israel through deception.

Joshua, the leader of Israel, is acting after discovering that the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them. Instead of destroying them, Joshua designates the Gibeonites to do essential but humble work—cutting wood and drawing water—for both the people and the worship of God. The verse highlights how the Gibeonites’ fate was tied to serving the Israelites and the sanctuary, and that this arrangement was ongoing at the time of writing.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 9:27

  • The word for "hewers" is חֹטֵב (ḥotév), meaning someone who cuts or chops, especially wood. This shows the specific, physical labor assigned to the Gibeonites.
  • "Drawers" is שֹׁאֵב (shoév), meaning someone who draws or carries water. This emphasizes the daily, necessary service work they were given.
  • The word for "congregation" is עֵדָה (ʿedah), referring to the whole community of Israel, showing that the Gibeonites' service was for everyone, not just a select group.
  • "Altar" is מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbéach), which points to the religious aspect of their service, connecting their work directly to Israel’s worship practices.

Why Joshua 9:27 matters

  • Joshua 9:27 clarifies that the Gibeonites were not killed or expelled, but instead given a permanent, defined role within Israel, which was both a consequence and a mercy.
  • The verse connects the Gibeonites’ service to both the community and the altar, showing their ongoing involvement in Israel’s daily life and worship.
  • By stating that this arrangement lasted "unto this day," the verse underlines the lasting impact of Joshua’s decision and the fulfillment of the oath made to the Gibeonites.

Where else these words appear

“hewers” Hebrew H2404 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Joshua 9:21 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.
  • Psalms 144:12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

“drawers” Hebrew H7579 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
  • Genesis 24:44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
  • 1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.