Joshua 2:13

KJV

And [that] ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

KJV (with Strong's)

And that ye will save alive {H2421} my father {H1}, and my mother {H517}, and my brethren {H251}, and my sisters {H269}, and all that they have, and deliver {H5337} our lives {H5315} from death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers and sisters and all who are theirs, so that we won't be killed."

Berean Standard Bible

that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.”

American Standard Version

and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:13 records Rahab's earnest and specific petition to the Israelite spies, a pivotal moment in her negotiation for the safety of her family amidst the impending destruction of Jericho. This verse articulates her deep familial loyalty and proactive faith, demonstrating her understanding of the imminent divine judgment and her strategic move to secure comprehensive preservation for her entire household and their possessions from certain death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic encounter between Rahab, a harlot of Jericho, and the two Israelite spies dispatched by Joshua. Immediately preceding it, in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith"), Rahab articulates a profound confession of faith in Yahweh, acknowledging His supremacy and the terror that has fallen upon Jericho's inhabitants due to Israel's God. Her plea in [Joshua 2:12](/joshua/2-12 "Joshua 2:12 - Rahab's Request for Kindness") for a "true token" of kindness for having shown kindness to the spies sets the stage for the detailed request in verse 13. This specific enumeration of her family members and their possessions underscores the comprehensive nature of her petition, leading directly into the spies' oath and the sign of the scarlet cord in [Joshua 2:14-21](/joshua/2-14 "Joshua 2:14-21 - The Spies' Oath and the Scarlet Cord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the family unit (the *bet 'av* or "father's house") was the fundamental social and economic structure, often encompassing multiple generations and extended kin living under one roof. Loyalty to one's family was paramount, and the fate of an individual was inextricably linked to that of their household. Jericho itself was an ancient, fortified city, strategically located, and its impending destruction by the Israelites under divine command would have been a common fate for cities resisting conquest in that era. Rahab's understanding of this reality, coupled with her knowledge of Israel's God, drives her to seek not just personal salvation but the preservation of her entire lineage and their accumulated wealth, which represented their very means of survival and identity.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies **faith leading to action**, as Rahab's theological conviction about Yahweh's power (as expressed in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith")) immediately translates into a concrete, life-saving negotiation. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **familial preservation and corporate solidarity**, emphasizing the deep bonds and shared destiny within ancient households. Rahab's concern extends beyond herself to encompass her entire kin, a concern that finds its fulfillment in [Joshua 6:23](/joshua/6-23 "Joshua 6:23 - Rahab's Family Spared"). Finally, the verse underscores the interplay of **divine judgment and mercy**. While Jericho faces certain destruction due to its wickedness, Rahab and her family are offered an avenue of salvation, demonstrating God's sovereign prerogative to extend grace to those who respond in faith, even from among the nations, foreshadowing the broader scope of God's redemptive plan found in passages like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **save alive (Hebrew, _ḥāyâ'_):** This verb signifies "to live," "to keep alive," or "to preserve life." In this context, it carries the weight of ensuring continued existence in the face of imminent death. Rahab is not merely asking for a temporary reprieve but for a permanent preservation of life for her family, implying a complete rescue from the destruction that will engulf Jericho.
* **deliver (Hebrew, _nāṣal'_):** This strong verb means "to snatch away," "to rescue," or "to pull out" from danger or destruction. It implies an active, powerful intervention to extract someone from a perilous situation. Rahab's use of *nāṣal* highlights her understanding that only a decisive act of rescue can spare her family from the judgment awaiting the city.
* **lives (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** While often translated as "soul," *nephesh* in Hebrew thought encompasses the entire person—their vitality, being, and very existence. When Rahab pleads to "deliver our lives from death," she is asking for the comprehensive preservation of her family's physical existence, their identity, and their future, not just a spiritual abstract. It emphasizes the totality of the threatened destruction and the desired salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [that] ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters":** This clause reveals the profound depth of Rahab's familial loyalty and her comprehensive concern for her immediate kin. She meticulously lists each core member of her household, demonstrating that her faith-driven action is not self-serving but extends to those she loves and is responsible for. This specificity underscores the personal and relational stakes involved in her courageous act.
* **"and all that they have":** Beyond merely preserving lives, Rahab's petition includes the safeguarding of her family's possessions. In an ancient agrarian society, "all that they have" would encompass their property, livestock, and any accumulated wealth, which were essential for their livelihood, status, and future. This demonstrates a request for total preservation, ensuring their ability to survive and thrive beyond the impending catastrophe.
* **"and deliver our lives from death":** This concluding phrase encapsulates the ultimate objective of Rahab's plea. It is a direct acknowledgment of the impending divine judgment and the certain death awaiting Jericho's inhabitants. Rahab understands that only an extraordinary intervention can rescue them from this fate. The request for deliverance from "death" (מָוֶת, *māwet*) signifies not just physical cessation but the comprehensive destruction and obliteration that would befall the city and its people.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 2:13 effectively employs several **literary devices** to amplify Rahab's plea and its significance. The most prominent is **enumeration**, where Rahab meticulously lists "my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters." This detailed listing emphasizes the breadth of her concern and the comprehensive nature of the salvation she seeks, highlighting her deep familial bonds. There is also a subtle use of **repetition** in the concept of "saving alive" and "delivering from death," reinforcing the singular, urgent goal of preservation. Furthermore, the entire interaction, culminating in this verse, serves as powerful **foreshadowing**. It subtly hints at the broader theme of salvation extended to Gentiles through faith, a concept that will be fully unveiled in the New Testament, where Rahab herself is listed in the lineage of Christ. Her proactive faith and the subsequent deliverance of her household prefigure the greater spiritual deliverance offered to all who believe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Rahab's plea in Joshua 2:13 stands as a profound theological statement, demonstrating that genuine faith is not passive but actively seeks the well-being of others, particularly one's family. Her request for corporate salvation for her household underscores the principle of shared destiny, where the faith of one can impact the deliverance of many. This narrative highlights God's expansive mercy, showing His willingness to extend grace beyond the strict boundaries of Israel to those who, like Rahab, respond in faith and align themselves with His purposes. It foreshadows the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, where salvation is offered to all who believe, regardless of their origin or past.

* [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith in the Hall of Faith")
* [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith Demonstrated by Works")
* [Joshua 6:23](/joshua/6-23 "Joshua 6:23 - The Fulfillment of the Promise to Rahab")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rahab's bold and specific request in Joshua 2:13 offers powerful lessons for contemporary believers. Her faith was not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic force that compelled her to act decisively, not only for her own salvation but for the comprehensive preservation of her entire family. This challenges us to consider whether our own faith is similarly active and outwardly focused, moving us beyond personal piety to concrete actions of love and intercession for those around us. Rahab's deep concern for her kin serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to pray for, share the gospel with, and actively seek the spiritual and physical well-being of our households. Furthermore, her story, as a Gentile harlot who found mercy, encourages us to embrace God's expansive grace, recognizing that His redemptive reach extends to all who turn to Him, regardless of their past or perceived unworthiness. It calls us to extend similar grace and hope to those whom society might overlook.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does your faith prompt you to take proactive steps for the well-being and salvation of your family and community?**
* **How can you more intentionally intercede for the spiritual and physical protection of your loved ones, mirroring Rahab's deep concern?**
* **What "imminent judgments" or challenges do you see in the world today, and how might God be calling you to be an agent of His mercy and deliverance in those contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why was Rahab so insistent on saving her entire family, including their possessions?**

Answer: Rahab's insistence stems from a combination of deep familial loyalty, a common and highly valued trait in ancient Near Eastern cultures, and the concept of corporate solidarity. In that society, the individual's identity and fate were intrinsically linked to their household (*bet 'av*). Her recognition of Yahweh's power and the impending, comprehensive judgment upon Jericho meant that only a complete rescue of her entire kin, including their means of livelihood ("all that they have"), would ensure their true preservation and future. This demonstrates her profound love and responsibility for her family, seeking to secure their holistic well-being from the certain death that awaited the city, as seen in the fulfillment of this promise in [Joshua 6:23](/joshua/6-23 "Rahab and her family are spared").

**Did Rahab's actions, including her deception, make her a righteous figure?**

Answer: The biblical narrative, particularly in the New Testament, consistently highlights Rahab's *faith* as the basis for her righteousness, not her methods. [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Rahab's Faith in the Hall of Faith") commends her for receiving the spies "with peace," and [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "Rahab's Faith Demonstrated by Works") praises her for being "justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way." While deception is not condoned, her actions, driven by a genuine and active faith in the true God, are presented as evidence of that faith. God often works through imperfect people and circumstances to accomplish His perfect will, demonstrating His grace and sovereignty. Her faith in Yahweh's power and her alignment with His purposes were paramount, leading to her inclusion in the lineage of Christ, as mentioned in [Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rahab's plea in Joshua 2:13, and its subsequent fulfillment, powerfully foreshadows the expansive nature of God's redemptive plan in Christ. As a Gentile from a condemned city, Rahab's salvation through faith and her inclusion into the community of Israel (and ultimately, the lineage of Jesus, as noted in [Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus")) serves as a remarkable type of the Church, composed of both Jew and Gentile, saved by grace through faith. Just as Rahab's family was delivered from the physical judgment on Jericho by trusting in the word of the spies and the sign of the scarlet cord, so too are all who believe delivered from the ultimate judgment of sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood, symbolized by the scarlet cord, provides the true and lasting redemption. He is the ultimate Deliverer, who "delivers us from the wrath to come" ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers from Wrath")). Through Him, the promise of salvation extends to "whosoever believes in Him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), bringing not just individual but corporate salvation into the family of God, the Church, where all are made alive in Him ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.