In biblical times, "hewers" refers to individuals who were responsible for cutting or shaping materials, primarily wood and stone. This occupation was essential in the construction of buildings, altars, and various implements used in daily life and religious practices. The role of hewers is mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, highlighting their importance in ancient society.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 9:21, 23, 27 : The Gibeonites, who deceived Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them, were assigned the role of hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD. This servitude was a perpetual reminder of their deception. "They continued to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD at the place He would choose, to this very day."

2. 1 Kings 5:15 : During the reign of King Solomon, hewers played a crucial role in the construction of the Temple. Solomon conscripted a large workforce to gather materials, including 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains. "Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains."

3. 2 Chronicles 2:10 : Solomon's preparations for building the Temple included provisions for the hewers who worked with timber and stone. "I will give your servants, the woodcutters who cut the timber, 20,000 cors of ground wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of olive oil."

4. Deuteronomy 29:11 : The covenant renewal ceremony under Moses included all members of the community, from leaders to laborers, including the hewers of wood. "Your children, your wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water."

Role and Significance:

Hewers were integral to the infrastructure and religious life of Israel. Their labor provided the necessary materials for building and maintaining the physical structures that supported both the civic and spiritual life of the nation. The work of hewers was physically demanding and required skill and precision, especially in the crafting of stones for the Temple, which was to be built without the sound of a hammer or chisel at the site (1 Kings 6:7).

The assignment of the Gibeonites as hewers of wood and drawers of water illustrates the social hierarchy and the consequences of deception, as well as the mercy extended to them despite their deceit. This role also underscores the importance of servitude and humility in the broader narrative of Israel's history.

In the context of Solomon's Temple, the hewers' work was part of a grand divine plan, contributing to a project that symbolized God's presence among His people. The provision for the hewers, as noted in 2 Chronicles 2:10, reflects the value placed on their labor and the recognition of their contribution to the sacred task.

Overall, hewers, though often working behind the scenes, were vital to the fulfillment of God's purposes in the Old Testament narrative, providing the materials necessary for worship and community life.2672. chatsab -- to hew, hew out, cleave
... root Definition to hew, hew out, cleave NASB Word Usage chops (1), cut in pieces
(1), dig (2), engraved (1), hew (2), hewed (2), hewers (1), hewn (5), hewn ...
/hebrew/2672.htm - 6k

2404. chatab -- to cut or gather wood
... root Definition to cut or gather wood NASB Word Usage chops your wood (1), cut
(1), fashioned (1), gather firewood (1), hewers of wood (3), woodcutters (1 ...
/hebrew/2404.htm - 6k

Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... Really he is not a true Anakim, but a Gibeonite, who are foes until they are conquered,
and then they become hewers of wood and drawers of water for us"they ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eight conflicts with giant.htm

Crucifixion of Self.
... Of course, the earthliness may not be manifest as before; "hewers of wood and drawers
of water" they become, yet they are there and live there. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/crucifixion of self.htm

Methodical Liberality
... And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair
the breaches of the house of the Lord, and for all that wast laid out for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/methodical liberality.htm

David's Prohibited Desire and Permitted Service
... Moreover, there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone
and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.16. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/davids prohibited desire and permitted.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... the strangers to be numbered; and they were found to be one hundred and eighty thousand;
of these he appointed fourscore thousand to be hewers of stone, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Five Kings in a Cave
... And Joshua said, "We will make them hewers of wood and drawers of water,"
and they were saved from death but they served in bondage. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/five kings in a cave.htm

The History of Solomon
... but bear stone and mortar and other things to the edifying of the temple, and were
bearers of burdens only, and he had eighty thousand of hewers of stone and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

The Enchanted Ground
... Once they attended the early prayer-meeting, but not now. Once they would be hewers
of wood and drawers of water, but alas! they are asleep now. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the enchanted ground.htm

New York to California
... majority of our fellow-creatures, to be regarded, and consequently to be treated
even in Christian lands, as a parish caste, as hereditary "hewers of wood and ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter vii new york to.htm

Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches ...
... people in cutting of wood. As for wages to the hewers of wood, I will pay
whatsoever price thou shalt determine.". 7. When Hiram had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the wife.htm

Hewers (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hewers (13 Occurrences). Joshua 9:21 And the princes
said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers...
/h/hewers.htm - 10k

Woodcutters (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:21 And the princes said concerning them: 'Let them live'; so they became
hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes ...
/w/woodcutters.htm - 7k

Artificers (15 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Chronicles 22:15 And with thee in abundance 'are' workmen, hewers and
artificers of stone and of wood, and every skilful man for every work. (YLT). ...
/a/artificers.htm - 11k

Burden-bearers (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bore burdens, and
fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains; (See RSV). ...
/b/burden-bearers.htm - 7k

Stonecutters (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 12:12 and to the masons and the hewers of stone, and for buying timber and
hewn stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that ...
/s/stonecutters.htm - 8k

Fourscore (33 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV). 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare
burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; (KJV JPS ASV). ...
/f/fourscore.htm - 16k

Hewer (2 Occurrences)
... chatsbh, from the root "to cut" or "to carve," applies to hewers of stone in 1 Kings
5:15 2 Kings 12:12; 1 Chronicles 22:15 2 Chronicles 2:18. James A. Patch. ...
/h/hewer.htm - 8k

Strengthen (105 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 12:12 and to those 'repairing' the wall, and to hewers of stone, and to
buy wood and hewn stones to strengthen the breach of the house of Jehovah, and ...
/s/strengthen.htm - 37k

Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens,
and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; (KJV JPS ASV). ...
/t/threescore.htm - 33k

Keepers (78 Occurrences)
... Similarly, after the deception of Joshua by the Gibeonites, "Joshua made them that
day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the ...
/k/keepers.htm - 33k

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