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 line of scarlet thread in the window through which you lowered us down, and gather to yourself in the house your father, your mother, your brothers and all your father’s household— 19whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his head and we will be innocent, but whoever is with you in the house, his blood will be on our head if any hand is laid on him. But if you divulge this business of ours, then we will be released from your oath you have made us swear.” 21So she said: “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away. After they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord to the window. 22Then they departed and came to the hill country. They stayed there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had looked for them 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 11:13A gossip reveals secrets, but one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
• Joshua 2:17Then the men said to her: “We will be released from this oath that 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