Joshua 2:20
Joshua 2:20 in Multiple Translations
And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
But if thou utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
But if you say anything about our business here, then we will be free from the oath you have made us take.
But if you tell anyone about this then we will be freed from the promise you made us swear.”
And if thou vtter this our matter, we will be quite of thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.
and if thou declare this our matter, then we have been acquitted from thine oath which thou hast caused us to swear.'
But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you’ve made us to swear.”
And if thou shalt utter this our business, then we will be quit of thy oath which thou hast made us to swear.
But if thou wilt betray us, and utter this word abroad, we shall be quit of this oath which thou hast made us swear.
But if you tell anyone what we are planning to do, we are not required to do what we have vowed to do.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 2:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 2:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִם
תַּגִּ֖ידִי
אֶת
דְּבָרֵ֣/נוּ
זֶ֑ה
וְ/הָיִ֣ינוּ
נְקִיִּ֔ם
מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖/ךְ
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽ/נוּ
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj | Conj
תַּגִּ֖ידִי
nâgad
H5046
to tell
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
דְּבָרֵ֣/נוּ
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms | Suff
זֶ֑ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
וְ/הָיִ֣ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
נְקִיִּ֔ם
nâqîy
H5355
innocent
Adj
מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖/ךְ
shᵉbûwʻâh
H7621
oath
Prep | N-fs | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽ/נוּ
shâbaʻ
H7650
to swear
V-Hiphil-Perf-2fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 2:20
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תַּגִּ֖ידִי
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2fs
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
דְּבָרֵ֣/נוּ
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
זֶ֑ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
וְ/הָיִ֣ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
נְקִיִּ֔ם
nâqîy
H5355
"innocent"
Adj
Innocent or guiltless, this word is used to describe someone who is morally clean or free from blame, such as Noah in Genesis 6:9. It emphasizes a person's integrity and moral purity.
Definition: 1) clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent 1a) free from guilt, clean, innocent 1b) free from punishment 1c) free or exempt from obligations Also means: na.qi (נָקִיא "innocent" H5355B)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free, guiltless, innocent, quit. See also: Genesis 24:41; Job 9:23; Psalms 10:8.
מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖/ךְ
shᵉbûwʻâh
H7621
"oath"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word means an oath or curse, like a promise or vow. In the Bible, it appears in Numbers 5:21 and Deuteronomy 29:12, referring to God's oath. The KJV translates it as 'oath' or 'curse'.
Definition: 1) oath, curse 1a) oath 1a1) attesting of innocence 1a2) curse 1b) oath (of Jehovah)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: curse, oath, [idiom] sworn. See also: Genesis 24:8; 2 Samuel 21:7; Psalms 105:9.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽ/נוּ
shâbaʻ
H7650
"to swear"
V-Hiphil-Perf-2fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.
Definition: 1) to swear, adjure 1a) (Qal) sworn (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to swear, take an oath 1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself) 1b3) to curse 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to take an oath 1c2) to adjure
Usage: Occurs in 175 OT verses. KJV: adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for H7646 (שָׂבַע)), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear. See also: Genesis 21:23; Judges 21:18; Psalms 15:4.
Study Notes — Joshua 2:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Promise to Rahab
18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.
19If 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.
20And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
21“Let it be as you say,” she replied, and she sent them away. And when they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 22So the spies went out into the hill country and stayed there three days, until their pursuers had returned without finding them, having searched all along the road.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 11:13 | A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. |
Joshua 2:20 Summary
[Joshua 2:20 is about a promise made between Rahab and the spies, where they agree to protect her and her family if she keeps their mission a secret. This shows us the importance of keeping our word and being faithful to our commitments, just like God is faithful to us (Psalm 36:5). If Rahab reports their mission, the spies will no longer be bound to protect her, which highlights the significance of honesty and trust in any relationship (Proverbs 10:9). By keeping her promise, Rahab demonstrates loyalty and integrity, which are essential values for us to cultivate in our own lives (Ephesians 4:25).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the oath mentioned in Joshua 2:20?
The oath refers to the promise made by Rahab to the spies, as seen in the preceding verses, where she agrees to hide them and not report their mission in exchange for their protection when the Israelites conquer Jericho, as mentioned in Joshua 2:18-19, similar to the concept of oaths and vows discussed in Deuteronomy 23:21-23.
What are the consequences if Rahab reports the spies' mission?
If Rahab reports the mission, the spies will be released from their oath to protect her and her family, as stated in Joshua 2:20, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and integrity in agreements, as emphasized in Proverbs 10:9.
How does this verse relate to the concept of loyalty and trust?
This verse shows that loyalty and trust are essential in any agreement or relationship, as Rahab is expected to keep the spies' trust by not reporting their mission, similar to the trust and loyalty expected in marriage, as described in Ephesians 5:25-33.
What can we learn from the spies' condition for releasing Rahab from the oath?
The condition set by the spies, that they will be released from the oath if Rahab reports their mission, teaches us that our words and actions have consequences, and that we must be mindful of the commitments we make, as warned in James 1:26-27.
Reflection Questions
- What are some situations in my life where I have to choose between keeping a secret or revealing information, and how can I apply the principles from Joshua 2:20 to those situations?
- In what ways can I demonstrate loyalty and trust to those around me, just like Rahab did with the spies?
- How can I balance the need to keep confidences with the need to be honest and transparent in my relationships, as seen in the interaction between Rahab and the spies?
- What are some potential consequences of breaking a promise or oath, and how can I avoid those consequences in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 2:20
And if thou utter this our business,.... So that others would either hang out scarlet threads or get into her house for shelter, [See comments on Joshua 2:14]; then we will be quit of thine oath
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 2:20
Verse 20. If thou utter this our business] It was prudent to make her life depend on her secresy; had it been otherwise she might have been tempted to give information, not only concerning the spies, but concerning the designs of the Israelites. But her life being at stake, added to every other motive, she kept the secret for the sake of her own personal safety and that of all her relatives.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 2:20
20. Quit of thine oath — Released from its obligation. The condition mentioned in Joshua 2:14 is here repeated as if to give it emphasis.
Sermons on Joshua 2:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
New Covenant- the First Body of Christ -Part 7 by Zac Poonen | This sermon focuses on the theme of righteousness as seen in the story of Joseph in Matthew chapters 1 and 2. It emphasizes the importance of not hastily judging or speaking evil a |
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Step 10 on Slander or Calumny. by St. John Climacus | St. John Climacus preaches about the dangers of slander, highlighting how it stems from hatred and malice, draining the blood of charity and leading to the ruin of chastity. He emp |
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Stop Talking About Evil by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes the importance of using words that build up and provide what is needed, rather than harmful words that can cause damage. He warns against the dangers of unre |