Joshua 2:20

And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

And if thou utter {H5046} this our business {H1697}, then we will be quit {H5355} of thine oath {H7621} which thou hast made us to swear {H7650}.

However, if you say a word about this business of ours, then we will be free of your oath that you made us swear."

And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

But if thou utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

Commentary on Joshua 2:20 (KJV)

Joshua 2:20 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Rahab and the Israelite spies, highlighting the conditional nature of the covenant established between them. It underscores the importance of secrecy and trust in a high-stakes situation.

Context

This verse is part of the unique agreement between the two Israelite spies, sent by Joshua to reconnoiter the city of Jericho, and Rahab, a harlot who provided them refuge. After she hid them from the king of Jericho's search party and helped them escape, the spies swore an oath to save her and her family during the impending Israelite invasion. The terms of this salvation were laid out in the preceding verses, notably Joshua 2:17 and Joshua 2:18, which included keeping her family inside her house and displaying a scarlet cord. Verse 20 adds a crucial condition: the oath would be nullified if Rahab revealed their mission.

Key Themes

  • Conditional Covenant and Trust: The spies' promise to Rahab was not absolute; it hinged on her faithful adherence to their instructions, particularly maintaining secrecy. This highlights how trust forms the basis of agreements, even in dire circumstances.
  • Consequences of Betrayal: The verse explicitly states the severe consequence of breaking the agreement: the spies would be "quit" or released from their oath. This emphasizes the gravity of the promise and the potential danger Rahab would face if she betrayed their confidence.
  • Divine Providence: While a human agreement, this interaction is part of God's larger plan for Israel's conquest of Canaan. Rahab's act of faith in protecting the spies, lauded in the New Testament, was instrumental in her salvation and the protection of her family.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word translated "utter" is yatsa (יָצָא), which means "to go out," "to bring forth," or in this context, "to disclose" or "to reveal." It signifies the act of making public what was intended to remain secret, underscoring the nature of the betrayal.
  • The word "quit" comes from naqah (נָקָה), meaning "to be clean," "to be innocent," or "to be free." Here, it means the spies would be absolved or released from their sworn obligation, indicating that Rahab's breach of trust would free them from their promise.

Practical Application

Joshua 2:20 offers timeless lessons about the importance of integrity, keeping one's word, and the consequences of breaking trust. For believers, it reminds us of the serious nature of covenants, both human and divine. Just as Rahab was expected to uphold her part of the agreement for her salvation, so too are we called to faithfulness in our commitments. This passage also subtly points to God's grace, as Rahab, despite her past, was offered a path to redemption through her obedience and faith, securing her place in the lineage of Christ. Her story, including the crucial detail of her works of faith, serves as a powerful example of how God can use unexpected individuals in His grand narrative.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 11:13

    A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
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