Joshua 2:20 kjv

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

Joshua 2:20 nkjv

And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear."

Joshua 2:20 niv

But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."

Joshua 2:20 esv

But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear."

Joshua 2:20 nlt

If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way."

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 20 Meaning

Joshua 2:20 defines a critical condition within the covenant sworn between the Israelite spies and Rahab. It states that if Rahab were to disclose or betray their secret mission (referred to as "this our business"), the spies would be absolved of their oath to protect her and her family. This verse highlights the binding nature of the agreement while simultaneously outlining the specific circumstances under which the spies' commitment would be rendered null and void, thereby shifting the responsibility for her salvation back to her adherence to the agreed terms.

Joshua 2 20 Context

Joshua 2:20 is situated within the narrative of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Specifically, it concludes the critical interaction between two Israelite spies sent by Joshua to scout Jericho, and Rahab, a Canaanite woman who shelters them from the king's men. After hiding the spies and deceiving the authorities, Rahab requests that the spies swear an oath to show kindness and spare her family when Israel attacks Jericho (Josh 2:12-13). In response, the spies agree, laying out several crucial conditions for their oath to remain valid. These conditions include Rahab displaying a scarlet cord in her window, gathering her entire family into her house for safety, and critically, maintaining absolute secrecy about the spies' mission. Verse 20 directly states the consequence of Rahab failing to meet this last condition—her betrayal would release the spies from their sworn promise, placing the responsibility for her potential destruction squarely on her actions. This agreement forms a binding covenant between Rahab and the spies, which ultimately determines her survival amidst the fall of Jericho.

Joshua 2 20 Word analysis

• And if thou utter (וְאִ֣ם־ תַּגִּ֔ידִי - wə’im tagîdî):

  • וְאִם (wə’im): "And if," indicating a conditional clause. It sets up a direct cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the crucial nature of Rahab's compliance.
  • תַּגִּידִי (tagîdî): From the root נג"ד (nagad), meaning "to tell," "declare," "make known," or "report." Here, it specifically means "disclose" or "reveal." The form implies action by Rahab. The focus is on the act of giving out information that was meant to be secret. Its significance is the violation of trust.

• this our business (דְּבָרֵ֖נוּ זֶה֙ - dəvārēnû zeh):

  • דְּבָרֵנוּ (dəvārēnû): "Our word," "our matter," "our affair," or "our business." The term דָּבָר (davar) is broad in Hebrew, often referring to a word, a thing, an affair, or a matter. Here, it refers to the entirety of their mission – their presence in Jericho, their purpose of scouting, and their escape plan. It emphasizes the critical secrecy of their reconnaissance.
  • זֶה (zeh): "This." It is a demonstrative pronoun that points to the immediate, specific "matter" at hand. It lends a concrete, non-abstract quality to what is being kept secret.

• then we will be clear (וְנִקִּ֥ינוּ - wəniqqînū):

  • וְנִקִּינוּ (wəniqqînū): From the root נק"ה (naqah), meaning "to be clean," "innocent," "pure," or "guiltless." In this context, it specifically means "to be released from obligation" or "to be innocent of responsibility." It signifies legal or moral acquittal. The spies assert that any future harm to Rahab, should she betray them, would not be on their conscience or their accountability before God, as their sworn obligation would cease.

• of thine oath (מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֛ךְ - miššəvûʿātēḵ):

  • מִ (mi): "From," indicating separation or release from something.
  • שְּׁבֻעָתֵךְ (šəvûʿātēḵ): "Your oath," from the root שבע (shava), "to swear," "to make an oath." This refers to the specific solemn vow Rahab elicited from the spies (Josh 2:12-14), binding them to protect her and her family. The phrase underscores Rahab's role in initiating and securing the binding agreement, and thus, her responsibility in maintaining its conditions.

• which thou hast made us swear (אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּ֖נוּ - ’ăšer hišbaʿtā́nū):

  • אֲשֶׁר (’ăšer): "Which," a relative pronoun connecting to the previous noun.
  • הִשְׁבַּעְתָּנוּ (hišbaʿtā́nū): Hiphil (causative) form of שבע (shava), meaning "you have caused us to swear" or "you have sworn us." It reinforces that Rahab was the agent who put them under this solemn commitment. This phrasing underscores the solemnity and contractual nature of the agreement, initiated by Rahab herself.

Words-group analysis:

• "And if thou utter this our business": This conditional phrase sets a clear boundary. It means, "Should you divulge any information about our mission or our presence here." It tests Rahab's loyalty and discretion. This specific condition protects the very core of their mission: reconnaissance. The use of "our business" implies a confidential undertaking directly linked to Israel's divine commission to conquer the land.

• "then we will be clear of thine oath which thou hast made us swear": This states the precise consequence for breaking the secrecy. "Clear" (נִקִּינוּ - niqqînū) in a legal-religious context is powerful. It signifies acquittal, freedom from blame or guilt before God and man. The spies acknowledge they are bound by an oath Rahab made them take, implying its seriousness. However, the condition clearly shows that such sacred commitments can be broken if the party seeking protection fails to uphold their part of the bargain. This is a crucial element of biblical covenant thought, where obligations are often mutual.

Joshua 2 20 Bonus section

The conditional nature of this verse highlights an important theological principle: while God’s overarching plan is sovereign, human agency and responsibility often play a role within the specific fulfillment of divine promises. Rahab's salvation, an act of divine grace extended to a pagan, was contingent upon her human actions of faith and obedience, particularly her trust expressed through the "works" of protection and silence. This instance provides a tangible example of how faithfulness (seen in Rahab's actions) aligns with divine will, enabling the promised outcome. Conversely, had she uttered "this business," her failure would have nullified the covenant, demonstrating the dire consequences of unfaithfulness to a sworn commitment.

Joshua 2 20 Commentary

Joshua 2:20 provides a vital boundary to the covenant established between the Israelite spies and Rahab, reflecting the conditional nature of many biblical agreements. While the spies, operating under divine providence, extended a gracious promise of salvation to Rahab, this grace was not unconditional. Rahab was required to fulfill her part: she needed to preserve the absolute secrecy of their "business"—the vital details of their presence and mission. This condition underscores the seriousness with which oaths and covenants were viewed in the ancient Near East and within Israelite law. Breaking a sworn oath, whether by revelation or action, often carried severe consequences. By explicitly stating their release from the oath if Rahab failed this test, the spies maintained their integrity, ensured the security of their mission, and transferred the onus of responsibility for her family’s salvation onto Rahab’s faithfulness. Her act of keeping silent, therefore, was not merely an act of discretion but a decisive act of obedience foundational to her faith, as later highlighted in the New Testament.