Joshua 2:19

KJV

And it shall be, [that] whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood [shall be] upon his head, and we [will be] guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood [shall be] on our head, if [any] hand be upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be, that whosoever {H834} shall go out {H3318} of the doors {H1817} of thy house {H1004} into the street {H2351}, his blood {H1818} shall be upon his head {H7218}, and we will be guiltless {H5355}: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house {H1004}, his blood {H1818} shall be on our head {H7218}, if any hand {H3027} be upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

If anyone goes out the doors of your house into the street, he will be responsible for his own blood, and we will be guiltless. But everyone who stays with you in the house - we will be responsible for his blood if anyone lays a hand on him.

Berean Standard Bible

If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads.

American Standard Version

And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we shall be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:19 records the solemn oath made by the Israelite spies to Rahab, establishing the precise conditions for the safety of her household during the impending destruction of Jericho. It stipulates that anyone found outside her house during the attack would bear responsibility for their own death, thereby absolving the spies of guilt. Conversely, it declares that if any harm befell those who remained within the house, the responsibility and bloodguilt would fall upon the Israelites. This verse underscores the binding nature of their covenant and the critical importance of strict adherence to the stipulated terms for the promised salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 2:19 serves as the culmination of the covenant established between the two Israelite spies and Rahab, a harlot from Jericho. The narrative commences with Joshua dispatching the spies to reconnoiter the land, specifically Jericho, as detailed in [Joshua 2:1](/joshua/2-1 "Joshua 2:1 - Spies Sent to Jericho"). Upon their arrival, Rahab shelters them, hiding them from the king of Jericho's men. After ensuring their safe escape, Rahab, demonstrating remarkable faith in the God of Israel and acknowledging His overwhelming power, as expressed in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9-11 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith"), pleads for the salvation of her family. Verses [Joshua 2:12-18](/joshua/2-12-18 "Joshua 2:12-18 - Rahab's Request and the Spies' Oath") elaborate on the spies' agreement, the sign of the scarlet cord, and the explicit instructions for Rahab's family to gather within her house. Verse 19 then meticulously defines the precise terms of this conditional protection, emphasizing the dire consequences of adherence or deviation, directly preceding the spies' return to Joshua in [Joshua 2:23](/joshua/2-23 "Joshua 2:23 - Spies Return to Joshua").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Joshua 2 unfold during Israel's conquest of Canaan, a period marked by divine judgment against the idolatrous and morally corrupt Canaanite nations. Jericho, a strategically vital and heavily fortified city, was designated as the first target for conquest. The concept of "bloodguilt" was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern legal and moral codes, signifying culpability for a death, often requiring retribution or atonement. Oaths and covenants were considered profoundly sacred and binding, frequently invoked with divine witnesses, and their violation carried severe consequences. The spies' oath to Rahab, therefore, was not a casual promise but a solemn, life-or-death commitment. Rahab's profession as a harlot, while socially marginalized, might have also positioned her house on the city wall, making it a convenient and inconspicuous place for spies to enter and observe, as implied by [Joshua 2:15](/joshua/2-15 "Joshua 2:15 - Rahab's House on the Wall").
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:19 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Protection and Conditional Salvation**, demonstrating that God's deliverance often operates through specific instructions and human obedience. Rahab's family's safety is strictly contingent upon remaining within the designated sanctuary, paralleling the Passover narrative where safety was found within blood-marked homes, as seen in [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - Passover Protection"). Secondly, the verse underscores the concept of **Covenant Faithfulness and Responsibility**. The spies' willingness to take "blood on our head" for those inside the house emphasizes the gravity of their oath and their commitment to uphold their promise, reflecting God's own unwavering faithfulness to His covenants. This contrasts sharply with the self-inflicted "blood on his head" for those who disregard the terms. Finally, Rahab's story, culminating in this verse, exemplifies **Faith Beyond Israel**, showing that salvation is offered even to Gentiles who turn to the God of Israel, anticipating a broader scope of God's redemptive plan, as seen in the inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess in Israel's lineage, recorded in [Ruth 4:13-22](/ruth/4-13-22 "Ruth 4:13-22 - Ruth in David's Lineage").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This word, H1004, refers to a physical dwelling but also carries broader connotations of family, household, or even a place of refuge. In this verse, Rahab's "house" is not merely a structure but becomes a designated sanctuary, a specific place of safety and covenant protection for her and her entire family. Its significance extends beyond bricks and mortar to represent the sphere of the covenant's application.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** H1818, "blood," in this context, refers to life itself and, more specifically, to the responsibility for a person's death. The idiom "his blood upon his head" (דָּמֹו בְרֹאשׁוֹ) signifies that the person's death is their own fault or responsibility, and no one else is culpable. Conversely, "his blood on our head" means the responsibility for the death falls upon the oath-takers, indicating their solemn commitment to protect and their culpability if they fail. This concept is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern legal systems and biblical law, where the shedding of innocent blood incurred severe guilt and often required retribution, as seen in [Genesis 9:5-6](/genesis/9-5-6 "Genesis 9:5-6 - Blood for Blood").
* **Guiltless (Hebrew, _nâqîy'_):** H5355, "guiltless," denotes being innocent, clean, or absolved of responsibility or punishment. When the spies declare "we will be guiltless," they are asserting that if Rahab's family members violate the terms of the agreement by leaving the house, their subsequent harm or death would not be considered a breach of the spies' oath, nor would it incur bloodguilt upon them. It emphasizes the conditional nature of their promise and the clear delineation of accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless:"** This clause establishes the first condition and its dire consequence. It clearly states that if any individual from Rahab's household ventures outside the safety of her home into the public thoroughfare during the impending Israelite attack, their death will be considered their own responsibility. The idiom "his blood shall be upon his head" signifies self-culpability, effectively absolving the Israelite spies (and by extension, Israel) from any responsibility or bloodguilt for that person's demise. This highlights the absolute necessity of remaining within the designated sanctuary.
* **"and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him."** This second clause outlines the reciprocal commitment and its terms. It solemnly declares that if anyone who remains inside Rahab's house is harmed or killed by an Israelite hand, the responsibility for that death, the "bloodguilt," would fall directly upon the spies. This is a powerful affirmation of their oath, demonstrating the gravity of their promise to protect Rahab and her family who adhere to the conditions. It underscores their unwavering commitment to honor the covenant they have made.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its crucial message. **Antithesis** is prominent, starkly contrasting the fate and responsibility of those who leave the house ("his blood shall be upon his head") with those who remain inside ("his blood shall be on our head"). This sharp opposition highlights the binary choice Rahab's family faces and the clear, life-or-death consequences of each decision. **Idiom** is central to the meaning, particularly the phrase "his blood upon his head," which is a well-established Hebrew expression for personal culpability or self-inflicted judgment. The use of this idiom lends gravitas and legal precision to the covenant. Furthermore, the entire agreement functions as a **Conditional Covenant**, where divine protection (mediated through the spies' agency) is strictly contingent upon human obedience to specific instructions, mirroring larger biblical patterns of covenant relationship. The **Repetition** of the phrase "his blood" emphasizes the life-and-death stakes and the precise transfer of responsibility under the terms of the oath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:19 powerfully illustrates the principle of conditional salvation and the binding nature of covenant. Rahab's faith, expressed earlier in the chapter, is met with a concrete divine provision mediated through the spies, but this provision is strictly contingent upon adherence to specific instructions: remaining within the designated sanctuary of her house. This echoes numerous biblical narratives where God's deliverance is tied to obedience, emphasizing that faith is not merely intellectual assent but active trust expressed through adherence to divine directives. The concept of "bloodguilt" also highlights the seriousness of life and death, and the moral accountability inherent in promises made, reflecting God's own unwavering faithfulness to His word.

* [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood on the Doorposts")
* [Ezekiel 3:18](/ezekiel/3-18 "Ezekiel 3:18 - Warning the Wicked")
* [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 2:19 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as Rahab's family found physical safety within the confines of her house, believers find spiritual security and protection by remaining within the boundaries God sets. This can refer to His commands, His covenant, and the spiritual sanctuary found in Christ. The narrative underscores that genuine faith is not passive; it requires active obedience to God's revealed will. Rahab's family's deliverance was contingent not just on her faith in the God of Israel, but also on their collective adherence to the spies' instructions to stay inside. This teaches us that our spiritual walk similarly requires both unwavering trust in God's promises and diligent obedience to His word. Furthermore, the spies' commitment to their oath, even to a Gentile, reflects God's own unwavering faithfulness to His covenants and His desire for all to come to salvation, provided they respond in faith and obedience. This passage reminds us that while God's grace is freely given, it often calls for a responsive act of obedience, demonstrating our trust in His protective hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "house" or "boundaries" has God given you to remain within for your spiritual protection and flourishing?**
* **How does Rahab's story challenge your understanding of the relationship between faith and obedience?**
* **In what ways might we, like those outside Rahab's house, be tempted to step outside of God's protective commands, and what are the potential consequences?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "his blood shall be upon his head"?**

Answer: This is a powerful Hebrew idiom signifying that an individual is solely responsible for their own death or misfortune. In the context of [Joshua 2:19](/joshua/2-19 "Joshua 2:19 - Rahab's Covenant of Protection"), it means that if any of Rahab's family members were to leave the house during the Israelite attack and subsequently be killed, their death would be considered their own fault for violating the terms of the agreement. The Israelite spies would be absolved of any guilt or responsibility. This idiom is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to denote culpability, such as in [2 Samuel 1:16](/2_samuel/1-16 "2 Samuel 1:16 - David's Judgment on the Amalekite") where David tells the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, "Your blood be on your head."

**Why was it so important for Rahab's family to stay inside her house?**

Answer: Staying inside Rahab's house was the explicit and non-negotiable condition for their salvation and protection from the impending destruction of Jericho. The house, clearly marked by the scarlet cord, as specified in [Joshua 2:18](/joshua/2-18 "Joshua 2:18 - The Scarlet Cord"), served as a designated sanctuary, a specific place where the covenant of protection applied. This act of remaining inside was a visible and essential demonstration of their faith and obedience to the instructions given by the Israelite spies. It powerfully mirrored the Passover event in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover"), where the Israelites were required to stay inside their blood-marked homes to be spared from the angel of death. Symbolically, it represented the necessity of being "under cover" or "under the blood" for salvation from divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:19, with its emphasis on conditional protection within a designated sanctuary, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ. Rahab's house, marked by the scarlet cord, becomes a type of ark, a place of refuge from divine judgment, much like Noah's ark provided safety from the flood in [Genesis 7:1](/genesis/7-1 "Genesis 7:1 - Noah Enters the Ark"). The "blood on our head" concept, where the spies willingly take responsibility for those within the house, points profoundly to Christ's substitutionary atonement. He willingly took the "bloodguilt" of humanity upon Himself, bearing the full consequences of sin on the cross, so that those "in Him" might be declared guiltless and receive eternal life, as proclaimed in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Just as Rahab's family was saved by remaining *in* the house, believers are saved by being *in* Christ, who is the true sanctuary and the mediator of a new and better covenant, as taught in [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant"). The scarlet cord itself, a visual sign of the covenant and a symbol of life preserved through a specific mark, subtly prefigures the saving power of Christ's shed blood, through which forgiveness and new life are offered to all who believe and remain "under His covering" and protection, as revealed in [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood").

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

Acts 27:31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 18:6

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Ezekiel 33:4

Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

Ezekiel 33:5

He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

Exodus 12:13

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.

1 Kings 2:36

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

1 Kings 2:42

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word [that] I have heard [is] good.