And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Instead of just saying "our lives for yours," the spies express a profound commitment by saying, "Our life for yours, even to death!" This isn't just a casual promise, but a solemn vow where they pledge their very existence to ensure Rahab's safety. They understood the immense risk they were taking and the gravity of the pact they were making, showing that they took their word and Rahab's safety as seriously as their own lives.
And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
These two Israelite spies have just been discovered by the king of Jericho and are now relying on Rahab to protect them, having hidden them on her roof. She has already declared her belief that God has given Israel this land and is now earnestly seeking a promise of safety for her family in exchange for her help. The spies, understanding the gravity of their situation and Rahab's faith, make a solemn oath to her.
Rahab has just risked everything to hide these spies. Now, they make a profound promise to her. What does it reveal about their commitment?
The spies' response, "Our life for yours," is more than just a casual promise. It's a solemn vow, essentially saying, "May we die if you are harmed." This isn't just about their immediate safety, but about their willingness to lay down their lives for her security.
The Weight of an Oath
This kind of oath carries immense weight in Scripture. It signifies a deep commitment, binding them before God. It shows that they understood the gravity of Rahab's actions and were willing to reciprocate with the ultimate sacrifice.
A Condition for Trust
However, this promise is conditional: "If you do not tell this business of ours." This highlights a crucial element of trust. Their lives are on the line for her silence. This condition isn't just about protecting their mission; it's about ensuring her own safety by keeping her involved in their secret.
The spies speak of a future promise tied to God's gift of the land. What kind of future are they envisioning for Rahab?
The spies' promise, "when the LORD gives us the land, we will deal kindly and truly with you," looks beyond the immediate danger. It connects their future actions directly to God's sovereign plan.
Divine Inheritance, Human Obligation
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This promise is rooted in the certainty that God will give them the land. Their future kindness and truthfulness towards Rahab are not merely personal decisions but are a direct consequence of fulfilling God's covenant promise to Israel. They are essentially saying, 'Once God fulfills His part, we will fulfill ours.'
The Meaning of Kindness and Truth
The Hebrew terms for "kindly" and "truly" (often translated as mercy and faithfulness) speak to a deep, covenantal loyalty. It's not just about being nice; it's about honoring their commitment with unwavering integrity, demonstrating the same steadfast love that God shows to His people.
Understand the original words
emeth · Hebrew Noun
In the context of covenantal relationships, truthfulness, reliability, and fidelity. It describes a person or God who is dependable and whose actions align perfectly with their promises.
This exchange between the spies and Rahab highlights the intense atmosphere of fear gripping Canaan as the Israelites, fresh from miraculous victories, stood poised to invade. Rahab's courageous act and the spies' solemn oath underscore the immense stakes and the divine plan unfolding.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Cross the Red Sea
After fleeing Egypt under Moses' leadership, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea, a momentous event that instilled fear in surrounding nations.
c. 1446 BC
Defeat of Sihon and Og
The Israelites decisively defeated the Amorite kings Sihon and Og east of the Jordan River, adding to the growing dread of their approach.
c. 1406 BC
Israelites Encamp at Shittim
The Israelite army set up camp in the plains of Shittim, directly across the Jordan River from Jericho, positioning them for their invasion of Canaan.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Spies Sent to Jericho
Joshua secretly dispatched two spies to scout Jericho and the surrounding land, assessing defenses and potential routes for invasion.
c. 1406 BC
Rahab's Covenant
The spies made a pact with Rahab, promising to spare her and her household if she protected them and signaled her allegiance with a scarlet cord.
c. 1406 BC
Spies Return to Joshua
The spies successfully returned to Joshua, reporting the widespread fear among the Canaanites and confirming that God had given them the land.
This passage directly highlights Rahab's faith, citing her welcoming of the spies and her subsequent salvation as acts of faith, reinforcing the significance of her oath and the spies' promise in Joshua 2:14.
James 2:25Similar to Hebrews, James emphasizes Rahab's faith through her actions, specifically mentioning her sending the spies away by another way. This underscores the reciprocity and trust established in the exchange between Rahab and the spies.
Joshua 6:22-23This passage shows the fulfillment of the spies' promise, as they explicitly remember Rahab and ensure her family's safety during the destruction of Jericho, demonstrating the faithfulness of both parties in their agreement.
Matthew 1:5This verse places Rahab in the lineage of Jesus, acknowledging her pivotal role and the impact of her courageous decision to trust and make covenant with the spies, despite her societal standing.
calvinJoshua 2:1-24: "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there."
Miserat [31] autem Josue filius Nun viros duos exploratores clam, [32] dicendo: Ite, considerate terram et Jericho. Profecti sunt igitur et ingressi sunt domum mulieris meretricis, cujus nomen erat Rahab, et dormierunt illic.
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there…
wesleyJoshua 2:14: "And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee."
2:14 For yours - We will venture our lives for the security of yours. Our business - That is, this agreement of ours, and the condition of it, lest others under this pretence, should secure themselves. By which they shew both their piety and prudence in managing their oath with so much circumspection,…
Instead of just saying "our lives for yours," the spies express a profound commitment by saying, "Our life for yours, even to death!" This isn't just a casual promise, but a solemn vow where they pledge their very existence to ensure Rahab's safety. They understood the immense risk they were taking and the gravity of the pact they were making, showing that they took their word and Rahab's safety as seriously as their own lives.
These two Israelite spies have just been discovered by the king of Jericho and are now relying on Rahab to protect them, having hidden them on her roof. She has already declared her belief that God has given Israel this land and is now earnestly seeking a promise of safety for her family in exchange for her help. The spies, understanding the gravity of their situation and Rahab's faith, make a solemn oath to her.
These two Israelite spies have just been discovered by the king of Jericho and are now relying on Rahab to protect them, having hidden them on her roof. She has already declared her belief that God has given Israel this land and is now earnestly seeking a promise of safety for her family in exchange for her help. The spies, understanding the gravity of their situation and Rahab's faith, make a solemn oath to her.
"And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”" — Instead of just saying "our lives for yours," the spies express a profound commitment by saying, "Our life for yours, even to death!" This isn't just a casual promise, but a solemn vow where they ple…
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Last reviewed October 2026