Joshua 2:12 kjv

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

Joshua 2:12 nkjv

Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token,

Joshua 2:12 niv

"Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

Joshua 2:12 esv

Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign

Joshua 2:12 nlt

"Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 12 Meaning

Rahab, acknowledging the imminent victory of the LORD and the power of Israel, appeals to the Israelite spies for a solemn oath by Yahweh. Having previously extended chesed (covenant loyalty/steadfast love) to them by protecting them, she asks for reciprocal chesed for her entire extended family. This requested chesed is to be secured by a reliable and truthful sign, guaranteeing their safety and salvation from the impending judgment.

Joshua 2 12 Context

Joshua chapter 2 details Joshua's mission to send two spies to reconnoiter the city of Jericho. Upon arriving, they seek refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot, which is uniquely situated on the city wall. When their presence is discovered by the king of Jericho, Rahab bravely hides the spies and provides deceptive information to the king's men, prioritizing their safety over loyalty to her own city. Before facilitating their escape, she delivers a remarkable confession of faith in the LORD, acknowledging His power and sovereignty over all heaven and earth (Josh 2:9-11). Verse 12 immediately follows this, showcasing Rahab's astute understanding of the situation and her quick thinking to secure a binding commitment for her and her family's safety. Culturally, making an oath "by the LORD" in the ancient Near East signified an exceptionally serious and divinely sanctioned promise, incurring divine judgment if broken.

Joshua 2 12 Word analysis

• "Now therefore": וְעַתָּה (ve`attah) - This phrase acts as a transitional conjunction, establishing a logical conclusion or appeal stemming from the preceding statements, specifically Rahab's actions and her declaration of faith in Yahweh. It signals an urgent, direct request.

• "please swear" (שִׁבְעוּ־נָא - shiv`u-na): From the root shava (שבע), meaning "to swear, make an oath." The added particle na (נא) softens the command, turning it into a respectful but earnest plea. It implies a demand for a solemn and unbreakable promise, reflecting Rahab's desperate situation and the gravity of the potential threat.

• "to me": The direct object "to me" (לִי - li) emphasizes that this covenant-like request is personal, initiating a direct reciprocal obligation between Rahab and the spies as representatives of Israel.

• "by the LORD" (בַּיהוָה - biyhōwāh): Yahweh (יהוה) is the sacred, covenant name of God, revealing His personal character and active presence in history. For Rahab, a Canaanite, to specifically invoke Yahweh (as opposed to her native deities) demonstrates a profound spiritual understanding and a shift in allegiance. It places the requested oath under the highest possible authority, ensuring its sanctity and highlighting her trust in the one true God's ability to enforce His will and commitments.

• "since I have dealt kindly" (כִּי־עָשִׂיתִי עִמָּכֶם חֶסֶד - ki-aśiytiimmākem ḥeseḏ):

  • "dealt kindly": Refers to an action, "I have done/shown."
  • "kindly" (חֶסֶד - ḥeseḏ): This pivotal Hebrew term transcends simple kindness; it denotes covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unfailing mercy, and faithfulness, particularly within a committed relationship. Rahab views her actions (protecting the spies) as an act of loyal devotion, similar to the enduring love God shows to His covenant people. She established a foundational relationship by this unsolicited act of loyalty.

• "with you": Specifies the recipients of her chesed, establishing a direct reciprocity.

• "that you also will deal kindly" (וַעֲשִׂיתֶם גַּם־אַתֶּם עִם־בֵּית אָבִי חֶסֶד - vaaśiytem gam-ʾattemim-beit ʾaḇi ḥeseḏ):

  • "you also": Implies a reciprocal expectation; since she has acted with chesed, they should likewise respond in kind, mirroring God's character.
  • "deal kindly" (חֶסֶד - ḥeseḏ): The repetition of chesed underscores her understanding that their act should be one of loyal, covenantal love, rather than a fleeting favor, aligning with Yahweh's nature.

• "with my father's house" (עִם־בֵּית אָבִי - `im-beit ʾaḇi): Refers to her entire extended family unit – parents, siblings, children, and their dependents. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the "house" (beit 'av) was the fundamental social structure, and family salvation was often collective. Rahab's concern for her whole lineage demonstrates a profound familial responsibility and perhaps an implicit recognition of God's blessing often being extended generationally (as seen in Abraham's covenant).

• "and give me a sure sign" (וּנְתַתֶּם־לִי אוֹת אֱמֶת - ūnetaṯem-li ʾoṯ 'emeṯ):

  • "sign" (אוֹת - ʾōṯ): A mark, token, pledge, or distinguishing proof. It is frequently used in the Bible for divine assurances, miracles, or covenant pledges (e.g., the rainbow as a sign of God's covenant with Noah). It serves to validate and confirm a promise.
  • "sure" (אֱמֶת - ʾemeṯ): Meaning truth, firmness, certainty, reliability, faithfulness. An "ot emet" is therefore a truly reliable and verifiable token, guaranteeing the trustworthiness of the oath. Rahab demands a tangible, observable pledge that the spies will indeed honor their sacred vow when the time of conquest arrives. It is a sign of their truthfulness and the certain fulfillment of their promise.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Please swear to me by the LORD": This powerful phrase encapsulates Rahab's radical theological transformation. By insisting on an oath by Yahweh, the God of her enemies, she signals a profound shift in allegiance, recognizing Him as the sovereign deity whose oaths are binding and whose power is undeniable. Her spiritual perception far exceeds her social status.
  • "since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly": This articulation frames her request in terms of reciprocity of chesed. Rahab expects the Israelites, as servants of Yahweh, to mirror God's character of loyal love. It implies a binding, covenantal obligation to return the unconditional aid she provided.
  • "with my father's house, and give me a sure sign": Rahab's pragmatic and insightful demand for a "sure sign" reveals both her deep concern for her entire family's well-being and her insistence on tangible, verifiable proof of their commitment. This isn't just a wish; it's a request for a concrete guarantee against the terrifying reality of conquest, mirroring God's own practice of providing signs for His promises.

Joshua 2 12 Bonus section

• Rahab's faith is foundational to her action. The author of Hebrews (11:31) praises her "faith" which led her not to perish, and James (2:25) points to her actions as evidence of a living, justifying faith. Her words in Josh 2:12-13, and her earlier confession in 2:9-11, exemplify a saving faith that trusts in Yahweh alone and acts accordingly.
• The chesed asked for by Rahab reflects God's own attribute, a theme pervasive throughout the Old Testament. God often binds Himself by oath and extends chesed to His people (Exod 34:6-7; Psa 103:8). Rahab is asking Israel to reflect the character of their own God in their dealings.
• The "sure sign" of the scarlet cord that the spies give her (Josh 2:18-21) becomes a physical token of their oath, visible evidence of ot emet, a tangible representation of grace and salvation amidst the coming destruction. Some commentators see in it a foreshadowing of the saving power of blood in redemption.
• Rahab's inclusion of her entire "father's house" highlights the communal nature of salvation and blessing in the Old Testament, which often extends beyond the individual to their kin (e.g., Noah, Lot's family, the Israelite household at the Passover). This concern for her lineage culminates powerfully when Rahab herself becomes an ancestress of King David and eventually, Jesus Christ (Matt 1:5).

Joshua 2 12 Commentary

Joshua 2:12 is a testament to Rahab's remarkable faith, spiritual discernment, and practical wisdom. Emerging from a pagan background, she demonstrates a theological understanding that surpasses many of her countrymen. Her request for an oath "by the LORD" underscores her recognition of Yahweh's ultimate authority and truthfulness, contrasting sharply with the false gods of Jericho. The core of her appeal lies in the term chesed, meaning covenant loyalty or steadfast love. Having extended this divine-like chesed to the Israelite spies, she appeals for reciprocal chesed for her entire household, demonstrating her understanding of this concept not as mere politeness, but as a binding, unbreakable commitment rooted in divine character. Her insistence on a "sure sign" (an ot emet) further highlights her desire for tangible assurance of their promise, a characteristic often found in biblical figures seeking God's confirmation (e.g., Gideon). This verse is pivotal, securing Rahab's and her family's salvation and illustrating God's readiness to save any who turn to Him in faith, regardless of their past or origin. Rahab's story stands as a beacon of God's grace, drawing an unlikely figure into His covenant and ultimately into the lineage of the Messiah.