Joshua 9:21

The leaders concluded, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water-carriers in service to the entire assembly, as the Israelite leaders had ordered.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

20So this is what we're going to do to them. We'll let them live, so that we won't be punished for breaking the oath that we swore to them.”

22Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and asked them, “Why did you trick us? You told us, ‘We live a long way from you,’ but you live right next door to us!

Read all of Joshua 9

Cross References

Deuteronomy 29:11your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your firewood and carry your water.

Joshua 9:23Consequently you are under a curse. From now on you shall forever be servants, woodcutters and water-carriers for the house of my God.”

Joshua 10:1Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, learned that Joshua had captured Ai and destroyed the town completely, as he had also done to Jericho, and had killed its king, just as he had the king of Jericho. He also heard that the Gibeonites had made peace with the Israelites and were allied with them.

Matthew Henry on Joshua 9:16-22

The League with the Gibeonites. ( b. c. 1450.) 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. 16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. 17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. 18… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Joshua 9:21