Treasury of Scripture
cursed This may refer to the original curse pronounced against the descendants of Canaan: both of them seem to have implied nothing else than perpetual slavery. The gibeonites were brought, no doubt, under tribute; performed the meanest offices for the israelites; being in the same condition as the servile class of the Hindoos, called the Chetrees; had their national importance annihilated, and yet were never permitted to incorporate themselves with the Israelites.
Genesis 9:25,26 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers...
Leviticus 27:28,29 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote to the LORD of all that he has, both of man and beast...
none of you be freed [heb] not be cut off from you
hewers In the East, collecting wood for fuel, and carrying water, are the peculiar employment of females. The Arab women of Barbary, and the daughters of the Turcomans, are thus employed. Hence Mr.Harmer concludes, that the bitterness of the doom of the Gibeonites does not seem to have consisted in the labouriousness of the service enjoined them, but its disgracing them from the characteristic employment of men, that of bearing arms, and condemning them and their posterity for ever to the employment of females.
Joshua 9:21,27 And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation...