Joshua 2:20
◄  Joshua 2:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."

New Living Translation (©2007)
If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way."

English Standard Version (©2001)
But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear.""

International Standard Version (©2012)
But if you report this incident, we'll be free from the oath to which you've made us swear."

NET Bible (©2006)
If you should report what we've been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If you tell anyone what we're doing here, we will be free from the oath which you made us swear."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And if you utter this our business, then we will be free of your oath which you have made us to swear.

American King James Version
And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.

American Standard Version
But if thou utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou wilt betray us, and utter this word abroad, we shall be quit of this oath which thou hast made us swear.

Darby Bible Translation
And if thou make known this our business, we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

English Revised Version
But if thou utter this our business, then we will be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if thou shalt utter this our business, then we will be quit of thy oath which thou hast made us to swear.

World English Bible
But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear."

Young's Literal Translation
and if thou declare this our matter, then we have been acquitted from thine oath which thou hast caused us to swear.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:8-21 Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often expressed by his kindness and truth, Ps 117:2; in both these we must be followers of him. Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them. The spies make needful conditions. The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the passover, recalls to remembrance the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ; and that we are to flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a justly offended God. The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israelites, was to be used for her own safety. What we serve and honour God with, we may expect he will bless, and make useful to us.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - And if thou utter this our business. This was an obvious condition. Rahab's betrayal of the spies could not save Jericho, but it would destroy them, or at least expose them to imminent danger. She would, therefore, by mentioning the matter, deprive herself of all title to protection.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And if thou utter this our business,.... So that others would either hang out scarlet threads or get into her house for shelter; see Gill on Joshua 2:14,

then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear; be under no obligation to make it good, by saving her and her father's house.

Joshua 2:20 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


The Promise to Rahab
…19And it shall be, that whoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his head, and we will be guiltless: and whoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be on him. 20And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear. 21And she said, According to your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. …

Joshua 2:19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them.
Joshua 2:21 "Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.