Joshua 2:14

KJV

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H582} answered {H559} her, Our life {H5315} for yours {H4191}, if ye utter {H5046} not this our business {H1697}. And it shall be, when the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} us the land {H776}, that we will deal {H6213} kindly {H2617} and truly {H571} with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

The men replied to her, "Our lives are certainly worth yours, provided you don't betray our mission. So when ADONAI gives us the land, we will treat you kindly and in good faith."

Berean Standard Bible

“Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”

American Standard Version

And the men said unto her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business; and it shall be, when Jehovah giveth us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:14 records the solemn oath of the Israelite spies to Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, promising protection for her and her household in exchange for her secrecy regarding their mission. This pivotal verse establishes a conditional covenant of life for life, demonstrating the spies' commitment to repay Rahab's courageous act of faith and hospitality, and foreshadowing God's expansive grace and faithfulness in the unfolding narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded in the narrative of the spies' reconnaissance mission to Jericho. Immediately preceding it, Rahab has hidden the spies from the king's search party and then, having let them down from her window, has extracted a promise from them for the safety of her family when the Israelites conquer the city ([Joshua 2:12-13](/joshua/2-12 "Rahab's Plea for Her Family's Safety")). Joshua 2:14 serves as the spies' binding affirmation of this promise, solidifying the agreement. The subsequent verses detail the specific sign (the scarlet cord) and further instructions for Rahab, ensuring the covenant's execution. This exchange is crucial for the successful entry into Canaan, as Rahab's actions directly contribute to the spies' survival and the eventual fall of Jericho, as described in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "The Fall of Jericho").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was a heavily fortified city, strategically located at the entrance to Canaan, making it the first major obstacle for Israel. In the ancient Near East, oaths and covenants were extremely serious, often involving divine witnesses and severe penalties for breach. The phrase "Our life for yours" reflects a common form of solemn oath, indicating a deep commitment, sometimes even a vicarious pledge. The cultural context also highlights the precarious position of a "harlot" (Hebrew: _zonah_), yet Rahab's actions transcend her social status, demonstrating a remarkable understanding of the God of Israel's power, as she articulates in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Rahab's Confession of Faith"). This encounter also showcases the spies' adherence to a code of honor, even with an outsider, once a life-saving agreement was struck.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:14 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, showing how God uses unexpected individuals, even those outside the covenant community like Rahab, to accomplish His sovereign plans for Israel's conquest. The spies' promise, characterized by "kindly and truly," introduces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness** (Hebrew: _hesed_ and _emet_), reflecting God's own steadfast love and truth, which are extended even to those who turn to Him in faith. Furthermore, Rahab's inclusion in the narrative highlights the theme of **Salvation by Grace through Faith**, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan is not limited by ethnicity or social standing, but is open to all who believe, a truth later affirmed in the New Testament regarding her faith in [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Rahab's Faith in Hebrews 11:31").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Our life for yours (Hebrew, _nap̄šēnū taḥtêḵem_):** This phrase constitutes a solemn, vicarious oath, meaning "our lives instead of yours" or "our lives as a substitute for yours." It is an emphatic pledge of personal responsibility and commitment, indicating that the spies were willing to forfeit their own lives if they failed to uphold their end of the bargain, or if Rahab's family was harmed due to their failure. It underscores the gravity of the covenant being established.
* **Kindly and truly (Hebrew, _ḥesed wĕʾemet_):** This is a significant Hebrew idiom, combining two foundational virtues. _Hesed_ (חֶסֶד) denotes steadfast love, loyal affection, kindness, and covenant faithfulness. It describes a deep, abiding commitment, often associated with God's character. _Emet_ (אֱמֶת) signifies truth, faithfulness, integrity, and reliability. Together, "kindly and truly" expresses a promise to act with unwavering loyalty, integrity, and benevolent faithfulness, reflecting divine attributes and solidifying the trustworthiness of their oath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men answered her, Our life for yours,":** This opening clause immediately conveys the spies' emphatic and reciprocal response to Rahab's plea. Their pledge, "Our life for yours," is a direct and powerful affirmation of their commitment, signifying a willingness to stake their own existence on the fulfillment of their promise. It establishes a deep, personal bond of obligation.
* **"if ye utter not this our business.":** This is the crucial condition upon which the spies' oath hinges. Rahab's absolute secrecy regarding their presence and mission is paramount. The success of their reconnaissance and the safety of their return depended entirely on her discretion. This condition highlights the strategic importance of her role and the trust placed in her.
* **"And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.":** This final clause sets the timeframe and the manner of their fulfillment. The promise is contingent upon God's successful delivery of the land into Israel's hands, affirming their faith in divine sovereignty. The commitment to "deal kindly and truly" (using the rich Hebrew terms _ḥesed_ and _emet_) signifies that their future actions toward Rahab and her family will be characterized by loyal love, steadfastness, and integrity, reflecting the very character of God's covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Conditional Promise**, structured with an "if...then" clause ("if ye utter not...then we will deal kindly"). This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant established between the spies and Rahab. There is also a strong element of **Oath-Taking**, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern treaties, emphasizing the binding and solemn nature of their pledge. The phrase "Our life for yours" can be seen as a form of **Vicarious Substitution**, where the spies implicitly offer themselves as a guarantee, foreshadowing deeper theological concepts. Furthermore, the use of the terms "kindly and truly" (Hebrew _ḥesed_ and _emet_) is a subtle **Allusion** to the divine attributes of God, suggesting that the spies' promise reflects the character of the God they serve, thereby elevating the human covenant to a divinely sanctioned level.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:14 serves as a powerful testament to God's expansive grace and sovereign plan, demonstrating His willingness to work through unexpected individuals and circumstances to achieve His purposes. The spies' promise, rooted in "kindly and truly" ( _ḥesed_ and _emet_), mirrors the steadfast love and faithfulness that are central to God's character and His covenant relationship with Israel. Rahab, an outsider and a harlot, becomes an instrument of divine providence, her act of faith securing not only her own salvation but also contributing to the success of Israel's mission. This episode broadens the understanding of God's redemptive reach, showing that faith, regardless of one's background, can lead to inclusion in His plan of salvation.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "God's Self-Revelation: Merciful and Gracious")
* [Psalm 85:10](/psalm/85-10 "Mercy and Truth Meet")
* [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "Rahab's Faith and Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Rahab and the spies, culminating in the solemn promise of Joshua 2:14, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grace extends beyond our preconceived notions of who is "worthy" or "unworthy." Rahab's faith, though unconventional and expressed in challenging circumstances, was met with genuine commitment and ultimately led to her salvation and inclusion in God's redemptive story. This narrative challenges us to look beyond social labels and past mistakes, recognizing that God can use anyone who turns to Him in faith. It also underscores the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our own promises, reflecting the character of God who is always "kindly and truly" in His dealings with us. We are called to be people of our word, extending grace and truth to others, just as God has extended them to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Rahab's story challenge your assumptions about who God can use for His purposes?**
* **In what ways can you demonstrate "kindness and truth" ( _ḥesed_ and _emet_) in your daily interactions, reflecting God's character?**
* **What promises have you made, and how committed are you to fulfilling them, even when circumstances are difficult?**
* **How does Rahab's faith, despite her past, encourage you in your own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Was Rahab's profession as a "harlot" a barrier to her receiving God's grace?**

Answer: No. While her profession as a "harlot" (Hebrew: _zonah_) is explicitly mentioned, the biblical narrative consistently highlights her actions of faith and the spies' subsequent promise, rather than condemning her for her past. Her story powerfully demonstrates that God's grace and salvation are not contingent upon one's social status, past sins, or moral perfection, but upon faith and obedience. The New Testament commends her faith ([Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Rahab's Faith in Hebrews 11:31")) and her works ([James 2:25](/james/2-25 "Rahab's Works as Evidence of Faith")), and she is even included in the lineage of Jesus Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus")), underscoring God's redemptive power and inclusive nature. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and God's expansive mercy toward all who turn to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:14, with its profound declaration of "Our life for yours" and the promise to deal "kindly and truly," finds its ultimate and most perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The spies' pledge of vicarious substitution, offering their lives for Rahab's, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who truly gave His life for ours. Christ's atoning work on the cross is the supreme act of substitution, where He, being without sin, took upon Himself the penalty for our sins, offering His perfect life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Jesus' Ransom for Many")). Furthermore, the spies' commitment to act with _ḥesed_ (steadfast love) and _emet_ (truth/faithfulness) points directly to the character of God, which is perfectly embodied in Jesus. He is full of [grace and truth](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), demonstrating God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. Rahab, a Gentile and an outcast, being brought into the covenant community through faith and ultimately into the lineage of Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")), beautifully illustrates the New Testament truth that in Christ, there is [neither Jew nor Gentile](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"), but all who believe are justified by faith and become part of God's family ([Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles and Jews Reconciled in Christ")). Her story is a vibrant testament to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, fully realized in the inclusive salvation offered through Jesus 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.

Cross-References

Judges 1:24

And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

Judges 1:25

And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

Matthew 5:7

Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Proverbs 18:24

¶ A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

Genesis 24:49

And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

1 Kings 20:39

And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

Joshua 6:17

¶ And the city shall be accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.