Joshua 2:13 kjv

And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Joshua 2:13 nkjv

and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

Joshua 2:13 niv

that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them?and that you will save us from death."

Joshua 2:13 esv

that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death."

Joshua 2:13 nlt

when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families."

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 13 Meaning

Joshua 2:13 is Rahab's direct plea to the Israelite spies for the complete preservation and safety of her family, including her father, mother, brothers, and sisters, from the impending destruction of Jericho. She asks that in return for her protecting the spies, they would ensure that she and her entire household are spared from the certain death that awaits the rest of the city. This plea is a desperate and faithful cry for deliverance from the judgment of God that she perceived was coming upon her city.

Joshua 2 13 Context

Joshua 2 takes place as the Israelites are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, having crossed the Jordan River. Joshua, the new leader, sends two spies into Jericho, the first major city they will encounter. Rahab, a harlot living in Jericho, receives and hides these spies when their presence becomes known to the city king. Crucially, before the spies leave, Rahab makes a profound confession of faith in the LORD (YHWH) in verses 9-11, acknowledging His sovereignty as the God of heaven and earth and expressing her understanding of the Israelites' destined victory. Her request in verse 13 immediately follows this confession, serving as a desperate plea for the safety of her entire family in light of the judgment she knows is coming. This is not merely a political negotiation but a transaction born of a dawning faith and recognition of God's overwhelming power.

Joshua 2 13 Word analysis

• and deliver: (וְהִצַּלְתֶּם, v'hitzaltem) This is from the Hebrew verb נָצַל (natsal), specifically in the Hifil perfect tense. The Hifil stem denotes a causative action – "cause to deliver," "snatch away," or "rescue." It's a powerful verb emphasizing active and complete rescue from danger, implying the removal of something or someone from harm. Rahab is not just asking for clemency but for an active, forceful intervention to snatch her family from death.
• our lives: (נַפְשֹׁתֵינוּ, nafshotenu) This is the plural form of נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh). Nephesh is a rich Hebrew word that refers to more than just the spirit or soul in the modern sense. It signifies the entire person, the animate being, one's very existence, life force, or body. Here, it is specifically referring to their physical existence and their collective survival as a household. It encompasses the totality of their being, emphasizing that no part of their lives or family should be lost.
• from death: (מִמָּוֶת, mimavet) This is composed of the preposition מִן (min), meaning "from" or "out of," and מָוֶת (mavet), meaning "death." The "death" here is a clear reference to the imminent physical annihilation of the inhabitants of Jericho that Rahab anticipates, likely by the hand of the Israelite army acting on God's behalf. It is the ultimate consequence she seeks to avert for her family.

• "and deliver our lives from death": This phrase collectively expresses a fervent plea for absolute preservation from destruction. It reveals Rahab's profound fear of the incoming judgment but also her hope and faith that the God of Israel has the power to spare, and that His people can be instruments of that salvation. The request is specific: total life-preservation for her entire family, from an imminent and absolute "death." This signifies a recognition of divine power and an appeal for covenantal protection in exchange for her aid. It represents a pivot from impending doom to the possibility of life through an act of faith and alliance with the incoming force.

Joshua 2 13 Bonus section

Rahab's bold request is remarkable because she, a Gentile and a harlot, steps out in faith, discerning the true God amidst a pagan culture destined for destruction. Her action of faith not only secures her physical deliverance but also brings her family into the covenant people of Israel. She is later identified in the New Testament as an exemplary figure of faith (Heb 11:31) and works (Jas 2:25), and is uniquely placed in the lineage of King David and, subsequently, of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:5). This instance powerfully demonstrates God's grace extending beyond national and social boundaries, affirming that salvation is by faith for all who believe, regardless of their past or origin. The preservation of her family amidst the complete destruction of Jericho serves as a dramatic example of God's covenant faithfulness and mercy to those who fear Him.

Joshua 2 13 Commentary

Rahab's plea in Joshua 2:13 is the crucial request stemming from her genuine faith, confessed moments earlier, in the overwhelming power and sovereignty of the LORD. It is a bold demand for complete and immediate salvation for her entire extended family from the coming destruction. This request demonstrates her belief that the God of Israel, through His people, has the authority and ability to differentiate between individuals, sparing those who align themselves with His will, even from within an enemy city. Her action is not merely transactional; it is an active display of faith in God's capacity to deliver from ultimate judgment, contrasting sharply with the despair likely felt by the rest of Jericho. Her shrewd and faithful actions secured not only her family's physical salvation but also their inclusion within the covenant people, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's wider redemptive plan.