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Joshua 9:27

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 9:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
Joshua 9:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Jehovah 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 for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25And now, behold, we are in thy hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
26And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
27And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
← Joshua 9:26Joshua 10:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Joshua made them that day, etc.] Constituted and appointed them, ordered and settled them, in the post and office after mentioned; or “gave” them f154; hence some think they had the name Nethinim, persons given to the Levites for the service of the sanctuary: namely, to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord; some think they were employed both for the service of the congregation, when they wanted wood and water, and for the altar, and what belonged to it, that needed both. Abarbinel supposes that they served the congregation while they were engaged in war, and subduing the land, but after the division of the land they only served the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“hewers of wood and drawers of water--The menials who performed the lowest offices and drudgery in the sanctuary; whence they were called Nethinims (Ch1 9:2; Ezr 2:43; Ezr 8:20); that is, given, appropriated. Their chastisement thus brought them into the possession of great religious privileges (Psa 84:10). Next: Joshua Chapter 10”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The altar of the Lord - By which appears, that they were not only to do this service in God's house, but upon all other occasions, as the congregation needed their help. Next: Joshua Chapter 10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made them: Heb. gave, or delivered to be, Jos 9:21, Jos 9:23; Ch1 9:2; Ezr 2:43, Ezr 8:20; Neh 7:60, Neh 11:3, Nethinim in the place: Jos 18:1; Deu 12:5, Deu 16:2, Deu 16:6, Deu 16:16; Ch2 6:6; Psa 78:68, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14; Isa 14:32 Next: Joshua Chapter 10”
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Related study paths

Read Joshua 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification