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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 2:20 And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/06_Jos_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 2:20 - The Promise to Rahab" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/2-19.htm" title="Joshua 2:19">◄</a> Joshua 2:20 <a href="/joshua/2-21.htm" title="Joshua 2:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be exempt from the oath which you have made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if you tell [anyone] this business of ours, we shall be blameless <i>and</i> free from the oath which you made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear."&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if thou utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if thou utter this our business, then we will be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If you tell anyone what we're doing here, we will be free from the oath which you made us swear."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />However, if you tell anyone what we have been doing, then we will not have to keep our promise which you have made us give you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you report this incident, we'll be free from the oath to which you've made us swear."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If you should report what we've been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if thou shalt utter this our business, then we will be quit of thy oath which thou hast made us to swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you’ve made us to swear.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and if you declare this—our matter, then we have been acquitted from your oath which you have caused us to swear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if thou declare this our matter, then we have been acquitted from thine oath which thou hast caused us to swear.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if thou shalt announce this our word, and we were free from thine oath which thou didst cause us to swear.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if thou wilt betray us, and utter this word abroad, we shall be quit of this oath which thou hast made us swear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you will have betrayed us, so that you spread this word in their midst, we will be free from this oath, to which you have sworn us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If, however, you betray our mission, we will be free of the oath you have made us take.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be released from this oath that you made us swear to you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if you disclose this affair, then we will be absolved from this oath which you have made us swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you will tell this matter, we are pure from the oath which you have made us swear”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if thou utter this our business, then we will be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if any one should injure us, or betray these our matters, we shall be quit of this thine oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/2-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=401" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">The Promise to Rahab</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">And if</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: tag·gî·ḏî (V-Hifil-Imperf-2fs) -- To be conspicuous. ">you report</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">our mission,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yî·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">we will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5355.htm" title="5355: nə·qî·yim (Adj-mp) -- Clean, free from, exempt. Or naqiyi,; from naqah; innocent.">released</a> <a href="/hebrew/7621.htm" title="7621: miš·šə·ḇu·‘ā·ṯêḵ (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 2fs) -- An oath, curse. Feminine passive participle of shaba'; properly, something sworn, i.e. An oath.">from the oath</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: hiš·ba‘·tā·nū (V-Hifil-Perf-2fs:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">you made us swear.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>“Let it be as you say,” she replied, and she sent them away. And when they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a></span><br />By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-25.htm">James 2:25</a></span><br />In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Exodus 23:31-33</a></span><br />And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. / You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2</a></span><br />and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16-18</a></span><br />However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, / so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-15.htm">1 Samuel 30:15</a></span><br />“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-9.htm">1 Kings 2:9</a></span><br />Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">2 Kings 6:19</a></span><br />And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Proverbs 20:25</a></span><br />It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Isaiah 33:15-16</a></span><br />He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil— / he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-18.htm">Ezekiel 17:18-19</a></span><br />He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Seeing that he gave his hand in pledge yet did all these things, he will not escape!’ / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, I will bring down upon his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Matthew 5:37</a></span><br />Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-72.htm">Matthew 26:72-74</a></span><br />And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” / After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” / At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.</p><p class="hdg">And if thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Proverbs 11:13</a></b></br> A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.</p><p class="hdg">we will be quit</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Joshua 2:17</a></b></br> And the men said unto her, We <i>will be</i> blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/joshua/2-14.htm">Business</a> <a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/joshua/2-14.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-26.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/joshua/2-14.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Quit</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-21.htm">Released</a> <a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/joshua/2-17.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/joshua/2-14.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/joshua/2-14.htm">Utter</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/joshua/14-11.htm">Business</a> <a href="/joshua/4-22.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/joshua/7-19.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/joshua/22-24.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/joshua/6-22.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/joshua/9-12.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/judges/15-7.htm">Quit</a> <a href="/judges/15-5.htm">Released</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-27.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/joshua/9-15.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/judges/5-12.htm">Utter</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-8.htm">The covenant between her and them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-23.htm">Their return and description of events</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And if you report our mission</b><br>This phrase highlights the importance of secrecy in the mission of the spies sent by Joshua. The mission was to gather intelligence on Jericho, a key city in the conquest of Canaan. The spies' success depended on Rahab's discretion. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's people acting wisely and prudently in hostile environments. The mission's secrecy is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where discretion was crucial, such as David's escape from Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11-17</a>).<p><b>we will be released from the oath</b><br>Oaths were considered sacred and binding in ancient Israelite culture, as seen in <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/23-21.htm">Deuteronomy 23:21-23</a>. Breaking an oath was a serious offense, often invoking divine judgment. However, the spies clarify that the oath is conditional upon Rahab's cooperation. This reflects the biblical principle that covenants and agreements are mutual and require both parties to uphold their commitments. The conditional nature of this oath underscores the seriousness with which oaths were regarded.<p><b>you made us swear.</b><br>Rahab's role in making the spies swear an oath indicates her active participation and agency in the narrative. Her insistence on an oath demonstrates her understanding of the gravity and binding nature of such promises. This reflects the cultural context where oaths were a means of ensuring trust and fidelity. Rahab's actions also foreshadow her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a>), highlighting God's grace and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan. Her faith and actions are commended in <a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a> and <a href="/james/2-25.htm">James 2:25</a>, illustrating her as a model of faith and works.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rahab.htm">Rahab</a></b><br>A Canaanite woman living in Jericho who hid the Israelite spies. Her faith and actions played a crucial role in the Israelites' conquest of Jericho.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelite_spies.htm">Israelite Spies</a></b><br>Two men sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. They were protected by Rahab and made a covenant with her for her safety.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jericho.htm">Jericho</a></b><br>A fortified city in Canaan, significant for its strategic location and the miraculous victory the Israelites would later achieve there.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/oath.htm">Oath</a></b><br>A solemn promise made by the spies to Rahab, ensuring her and her family's safety in exchange for her silence and assistance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mission.htm">Mission</a></b><br>The task given to the spies to gather intelligence on Jericho, which was crucial for the Israelites' military strategy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity_in_promises.htm">The Importance of Integrity in Promises</a></b><br>The spies' commitment to their oath with Rahab underscores the biblical principle of keeping one's word, reflecting God's faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a></b><br>Rahab's account exemplifies how faith must be accompanied by action. Her belief in the God of Israel led her to risk her life for the spies.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_inclusion.htm">God's Sovereignty and Inclusion</a></b><br>Rahab, a non-Israelite, is included in God's plan, demonstrating His sovereignty and the inclusivity of His grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fear_and_courage.htm">The Role of Fear and Courage</a></b><br>The spies and Rahab both acted courageously despite fear, teaching us to trust in God's protection and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The warning about breaking the oath highlights the serious consequences of disobedience and the importance of trustworthiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_spies_visit_rahab_in_jericho.htm">Why did spies visit Rahab in Jericho?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua_2_15_fit_history.htm">If Jericho's walls had already crumbled before Joshua's era, how does Joshua 2:15 align with historical timelines?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_20,000_deaths_in_2_sam_18_7_realistic.htm">Does the reported death toll of 20,000 men (2 Samuel 18:7) reflect a realistic military outcome for that period, or is it exaggerated?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_spare_gibeonites_despite_deut._20_16-17.htm">How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And if thou utter this our business.</span> This was an obvious condition. Rahab's betrayal of the spies could not save Jericho, but it would destroy them, or at least expose them to imminent danger. She would, therefore, by mentioning the matter, deprive herself of all title to protection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you report</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּגִּ֖ידִי</span> <span class="translit">(tag·gî·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our mission,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבָרֵ֣נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇā·rê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will be</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיִ֣ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">released</span><br /><span class="heb">נְקִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(nə·qî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5355.htm">Strong's 5355: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clean, free from, exempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the oath</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(miš·šə·ḇu·‘ā·ṯêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7621.htm">Strong's 7621: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something sworn, an oath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you made us swear.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hiš·ba‘·tā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person feminine singular | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seven oneself, swear</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/2-20.htm">Joshua 2:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/2-20.htm">OT History: Joshua 2:20 But if you talk about this business (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>