Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 9:27. It’s a pretty significant passage about God’s judgment and a shift in focus. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is sending a punishment to the people who disobeyed him severely. He’s telling them to prepare for a specific action – building an altar dedicated to the Lord. He’s essentially saying, “We’ve messed up badly, and now we need to start again.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Joshua made them that day…” : This tells us that this wasn’t a one-time event. It was a deliberate action taken by God. “…hewers of wood and drawers of water…” : This is where it gets interesting. "Hewers" means to shape or build something with tools. “Drawers of water” suggests they were creating a system for building the altar – perhaps using a specific method or design. It’s a symbolic action, like preparing a place to worship. “…for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day…” : This emphasizes that this is specifically about the people God has chosen. It's not just any building project; it’s dedicated to worshipping God. “Even unto this day” means the preparation continues until this very moment. "...in the place which he should choose." : This is a crucial part. God has designated a specific location for this altar, and he chose it for them . It's as if he’s directing them to build the altar somewhere particular. What does it mean in a bigger picture? This verse speaks to a period of intense rebellion and disobedience by the Israelites. It’s a reminder that God is holding them accountable for their choices. It highlights that His judgment isn't just about punishment, but also about re-establishing a connection with Him through worship. It suggests a period of preparation and re-focusing on God’s will. Important Note: The exact details of what happened before this verse are often debated among biblical scholars, but the core message – that there was a serious consequence for disobedience – remains consistent. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?