Joshua 2:17 kjv

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

Joshua 2:17 nkjv

So the men said to her: "We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear,

Joshua 2:17 niv

Now the men had said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us

Joshua 2:17 esv

The men said to her, "We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear.

Joshua 2:17 nlt

Before they left, the men told her, "We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions.

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 17 Meaning

Joshua 2:17 states the crucial second condition given by the Israelite spies to Rahab for her safety and that of her household: they instructed her to hide in the hill country for three days until their pursuers had returned to Jericho. This directive ensured their own immediate safety, tested Rahab's obedience, and served as a prerequisite for the later oath of protection. It emphasizes a period of deliberate discretion and reliance on a divinely guided strategy.

Joshua 2 17 Context

Joshua chapter 2 opens with Joshua sending two spies to scout the land, specifically Jericho. Upon their arrival, they are sheltered by Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, whose house is conveniently built into the city wall. The king of Jericho is alerted to their presence and sends men to apprehend them. Rahab, demonstrating extraordinary faith in the God of Israel (having heard of His mighty deeds, vv. 9-11), hides the spies and misleads the king's men. After the pursuers leave, Rahab descends to the spies and pleads for the safety of herself and her family during the impending Israelite invasion, acknowledging the supremacy of Yahweh. In response, the spies make a covenant with her, stipulating three conditions: she must display a scarlet cord in her window, keep her family inside her house, and importantly, ensure their own safety by following specific instructions. Joshua 2:17 gives the second of these instructions: to hide in the hills for a set period. This occurs immediately before the spies depart Rahab's house and sets the stage for their eventual report to Joshua and the invasion of Canaan. The historical context is the brink of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, transitioning from wilderness wanderings to nation-building in their promised land, against established, often idolatrous, city-states.

Joshua 2 17 Word analysis

• Then the men: Referring to the two Israelite spies (Yahshua's ishim), emphasizing their role as the active agents delivering instructions, not merely receiving them.
• said to her: Indicating a direct communication, laying down the terms of the covenant. This is not a suggestion, but a requirement based on their solemn oath.
• “Go up into the hill country,”:
  • “Go up” (עֲלוּ alu): An imperative verb, directing a physical ascent.
  • “into the hill country” (הָהָ֖ר ha-har): Literally "the mountain" or "the hill," referring to the mountainous terrain west of Jericho, away from the plains where pursuers might easily find them. This strategic location offers concealment, natural defenses, and a clear line of sight over the plain. Culturally, hills could symbolize places of refuge (e.g., Ps 121:1) as well as idolatry (e.g., Isa 57:7), but here, the practical military aspect is paramount. This contrasts with dwelling within a city, indicating a necessity for flight and solitude.
• “for three days” (שְׁלֹשֶׁ֨ת יָמִ֜ים shloshet yamim):
  • “three days”: A precise, significant period. The number three frequently appears in biblical narratives marking a crucial interval of waiting, separation, preparation, or before a pivotal divine intervention or revelation (e.g., Noah's ark, Abraham and Isaac, Jonah, Christ's resurrection). This timeframe allowed the immediate pursuit to die down and for the spies to strategize their safe return without detection. It tests Rahab's obedience to a specific, challenging temporal command.
• “until those who pursue you have returned.”:
  • “until” ('ad): Denotes a fixed duration and clear end-point to their concealment.
  • “those who pursue you” (הָרֹדְפִים֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם ha-rodephim etkhem): Emphasizes the immediate threat from the king's men, who are thoroughly searching for the spies. Rahab's deception had diverted them, but vigilance was still required. This highlights the real danger and the necessary secrecy involved.
• “Then afterward you may go your way.”:
  • “afterward” ('ahar): Indicating that their freedom of movement is contingent on fulfilling the prior instruction.
  • “you may go your way”: Implies a safe departure and completion of their mission, signifying the successful avoidance of capture. This assurance reassures them that following the plan will lead to a secure outcome.

Joshua 2 17 Bonus section

• Polemics: This instruction might subtly contrast with ancient Near Eastern reliance on city walls or temple strongholds for safety. The "hill country" (ha-har) becomes a place of refuge directed by Yahweh's agents, challenging the pagan notion that fortified cities alone guaranteed safety.
• Significance of "Three Days": Beyond tactical necessity, the recurring "three-day" motif in scripture (e.g., for Jonah in the fish, for Jesus' resurrection, for Abraham's journey to Moriah) imbues this period with deeper significance, hinting at divine timing, testing, or preparation for a new phase or outcome.
• Prudence and Faith: The spies' detailed instructions demonstrate a blend of human prudence and reliance on divine protection. They expected Rahab to obey a challenging command as proof of her sincerity and commitment to their mutual preservation, mirroring God's call for obedient faith.
• Rahab's First Instruction: Interestingly, Rahab herself advises them to go to the hill country in Joshua 2:16, showing local knowledge and prudence. Verse 17 then refines this advice by adding the specific timeframe ("three days") and linking it explicitly to the pursuit, thus formalizing and ratifying the initial prudent suggestion with strategic specifics.

Joshua 2 17 Commentary

Joshua 2:17 encapsulates a critical component of the covenant between the Israelite spies and Rahab. It is a precise military instruction, requiring the spies to use the natural landscape of the hill country for tactical concealment. The prescribed period of "three days" is not arbitrary but likely a practical estimate for the intensity of the pursuit to subside, while also resonating with a recurring biblical motif of a significant period for transition or revelation. This verse underscores the spies' prudent leadership and strategic thinking. More importantly, it highlights the conditional nature of Rahab's oath of safety. Her obedience to this instruction (and others related to the scarlet cord and her family's presence) was foundational to her salvation and the spies' safe return. It showcases the spies' reliance on careful planning rather than sheer strength or miraculous intervention for their own immediate safety, a principle later often paralleled by believers' reliance on both divine protection and human wisdom.