Joshua 2:20

Joshua 2:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
• New International Version (NIV)But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear."
• New King James Version (NKJV)And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”

Context of Joshua 2:20

18unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and bring into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household [so that they will be safe]. 19But if anyone goes out the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head [that is, his own responsibility], and we shall be blameless and free [from our oath]; however, if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell [anyone] this business of ours, we shall be blameless and free from the oath which you made us swear.” 21She said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then Rahab sent them off, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 22They left and went [on their way] to the hill country [west of Jericho], and stayed there [hidden in the caves] three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers had searched all along the road but had not found them.

Joshua 2:20 word by word

וְאִם־תַּגִּ֖ידִי אֶת־דְּבָרֵ֣נוּ זֶ֑ה וְהָיִ֣ינוּ נְקִיִּ֔ם מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And if thou utterנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• this our businessדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• then we will be quitנָקִיnâqîy nâqîy' · innocentH5355
• of thine oathשְׁבוּעָהshebû‛âh · oathH7621
• which thou hast made us to swearשָׁבַעshâba‛ · to swearH7650

Cross-references for Joshua 2:20

• Proverbs 11:13He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
• Joshua 2:17The men said to her, “We shall be blameless and free from this oath which you have made us swear,

Commentaries on Joshua 2:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20If thou utter this our business - It was prudent to make her life depend on her secresy; had it been otherwise she might have been tempted to give information, not only concerning the spies, but concerning the designs of the Israelites. But her life being at stake, added to every other motive, she kept the secret for the sake of her own personal safety and that of all her relatives.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-21Verses 8-21 Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often expressed by his kindness and truth, Psa 117:2; in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-24Like any good military commander, Joshua sent out spies or scouts to get information about his objective. Because Israel planned to approach Canaan from the east, they could not avoid Jericho.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-2116-21. she said--rather "she had said," for what follows must have been part of the previous conversation. Get you to the mountain--A range of white limestone hills extends on the north, called Quarantania (now Jebel Karantu), rising to a height of from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred feet, and the sides of which are perforated with caves. Some one peak adjoining was familiarly known to the inhabitants as "the mountain." The prudence and propriety of…Read the comment

Topics related to Joshua 2:20

• Armies
• Reconnoissance
• Treaty

In the dictionaries

• Blameless
• Cord
• Hide
• Land
• Let
• Melt
• Town
• Business
• Hospitality; Host
• Joshua, Book of

Commentaries on Joshua 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings