Joshua 9:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Gibeonites are spared but made servants who gather wood and water.
What Does Joshua 9:21 Mean?
The leaders reach a measured resolution. The Gibeonites will live, but they will serve as hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation. The oath is kept, and yet the deception does not go without consequence.
This is justice tempered with mercy. Their lives are preserved, honoring the vow, while their station reflects the truth of what they did. The verse shows a wise middle path: faithfulness to a promise need not mean ignoring the wrong that was done, but can hold both fidelity and accountability together in a single just decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 9:21
What does Joshua 9:21 mean?
The Gibeonites are spared but made servants who gather wood and water.