Joshua 2:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the men said unto her, We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The men said to her, "We will not be guilty of violating the oath you made us swear, provided that

Berean Standard Bible:

The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear

American Standard Version:

And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the men^{H582} said^{H559} unto her, We will be blameless^{H5355} of this thine oath^{H7621} which thou hast made us swear^{H7650}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Joshua 2:17

Joshua 2:17 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Israelite spies in the city of Jericho, just before the conquest of Canaan. The historical context is the period following the Exodus, as the Israelites, led by Joshua, prepare to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

In this verse, the Israelite spies are speaking to Rahab, a Canaanite woman who has sheltered them from the authorities of Jericho. Rahab has just made the spies swear an oath to spare her and her family when the Israelites attack the city, in exchange for her help in ensuring their safe escape. The spies agree to her terms, but with a condition: they will be absolved of their oath if Rahab fails to keep their mission a secret or if she ties a scarlet cord in her window, the agreed-upon signal, in a deceitful manner.

The themes present in this verse include the concepts of loyalty, trust, and the sanctity of oaths. The spies' willingness to uphold their promise to Rahab, a foreigner, reflects the broader biblical theme of showing kindness to strangers and the importance of keeping one's word, especially when it is sworn in the name of the Lord. At the same time, the verse highlights the conditional nature of the agreement, emphasizing the necessity of fulfilling one's part of a bargain. Rahab's role in this story also illustrates the idea of divine providence, as her actions are instrumental in the success of the Israelite mission and are ultimately rewarded with her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 1:5).

This verse is part of a larger narrative that demonstrates the complex interplay between divine promise, human agency, and the moral obligations that bind people together, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Rahab's story is emblematic of the transformative power of faith and the inclusivity of God's plan, as she transitions from a Canaanite prostitute to a heroine of the faith, saving her family and becoming an ancestor of the Messiah.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5355
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָקִי
   Transliteration: nâqîy
   Pronunciation: naw-kee'
   Description: or נָקִיא; (Joel 4:19; Jonah [1:14), from נָקָה; innocent; blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free, guiltless, innocent, quit.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7621
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁבוּעָה
   Transliteration: shᵉbûwʻâh
   Pronunciation: sheb-oo-aw'
   Description: feminine passive participle of שָׁבַע; properly, something sworn, i.e. an oath; curse, oath, [idiom] sworn.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7650
   There are 175 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבַע
   Transliteration: shâbaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-bah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly to be complete, but used only as a denominative from שֶׁבַע; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times); adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for שָׂבַע), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.