Bible Strands
Joshua 9:27
On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua executes a binding decision immediately after sparing the Gibeonites from death. He formally assigns them a permanent servile role within the Israelite camp.
The words — The text uses וַ/יִּתְּנֵ֨/ם (va/i.yi.te.Ne/m), meaning "and he made them," to establish their status. It pairs חֹטְבֵ֥י עֵצִים (cho.te.Vei 'e.Tzim), "cutters of wood," with וְ/שֹׁ֥אֲבֵי מַ֖יִם (ve./Sho.'a.vei Ma.yim), "drawers of water," to define their assigned labor.
The thread — The phrase "the altar at the place He would choose" directly echoes Deuteronomy 12:5, which commands Israel to seek the location the LORD will establish as His dwelling. This verse anchors the Gibeonites' ongoing service to that central worship site.
Why it lands — The text states that a conquered people was formally assigned permanent labor for the covenant community and its altar. It requires the reader to recognize how a sworn oath and a specific decree shape long-term communal boundaries and obligations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.