What does Joshua 2:20 mean?

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

Explanation

Joshua 2:20 is a part of the narrative of the Hebrews’ entrance into the Promised Land, recorded in the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament. The verse is part of a conversation between Rahab, a prostitute residing in the city of Jericho, and two Hebrew spies sent by Joshua to scout the land. Rahab had agreed to hide the spies from the authorities in exchange for the safety of herself and her family once the Hebrews would attack the city, a promise secured by a solemn oath. In this verse, the spies state a condition: if Rahab discloses their operations to anyone, they would be released from the oath they had sworn to her.

The assertion suggests a mutual understanding of trust and consequence. Rahab is warned that the protection guaranteed by the oath is contingent upon her discretion. This constructs the agreement as not only a matter of faith but also of practical wisdom: maintaining secrecy is essential for the operation’s success and Rahab’s survival.

Historical Context

Joshua 2:20 belongs to the early period of Israelite history, traditionally dated to the late 2nd millennium BCE, during the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, after wandering for forty years in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt, stand on the cusp of entering the land promised to their ancestors by God. The city of Jericho was one of the first barriers the Israelites encountered in their campaign. Rahab’s actions in hiding the spies and her subsequent agreement with them are key to Israel’s strategy for entering the land.

Jericho, according to archaeological and biblical accounts, was a fortified city. The narrative of the spies, Rahab’s help, and the city’s eventual fall are all parts of the larger story of Israel’s divine-led conquest which had a significant role in shaping their identity as a nation.

Theological Insights

In theological terms, Joshua 2:20 offers several insights. Firstly, it highlights the providence of God in guiding and protecting the Israelites by using an unlikely ally in Rahab. Secondly, it raises a moral question about the righteousness of lying or concealing the truth for a greater good, as Rahab did by hiding the spies and misleading her own people.

From a Christian theological perspective, Rahab is often seen as a figure of faith, exemplifying how God’s plans can incorporate and redeem those outside of Israel. In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews 11:31 commends her faith, and James 2:25 amplifies her as an example of faith justified by works.

Practical Applications

The verse implies moral and ethical teachings relevant to everyday living. One potential application is the importance of keeping one’s word and the conditions that come with it. It teaches the significance of confidentiality and trustworthiness; when one agrees to a condition, it must be held with utmost seriousness and integrity.

Furthermore, it suggests the value of discernment. When faced with ethical dilemmas, such as protecting innocent lives versus telling a truth that might lead to harm, this narrative provides precedent for considering the greater good when making difficult decisions.

Cross-References

• Joshua 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.”
• Joshua 6:17: “And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.”
• Hebrews 11:31: “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”
• James 2:25: “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew text, the phrase “utter this our business” (“הַגִּדְתִּי”, “haggedt”) implies the act of declaring or revealing a secret. It carries a connotation of verbal proclamation, essential in the context of maintaining operational secrecy. The term “quit” here means “to be released from” or “free of responsibility” (Hebrew: נִקִּינוּ, “nikiynu”). The phrase “oath which thou hast made us to swear” is rooted in the solemnity with which oaths were regarded at the time—an oath was a binding verbal commitment made before God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to the story of Rahab in ancient Near Eastern cultures, there are tales of gods or heroes entering enemy territory aided by a local. For example, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, a prostitute named Shamhat brings Enkidu into human civilization. These narratives often involve themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the shifting of loyalties based on higher moral considerations or divine influence.

The practice of taking oaths and the serious consequences of breaking them was common across many ancient cultures. In Greek mythology, for example, the binding nature of oaths sworn upon the River Styx was inviolable, even for the gods.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, today’s understanding of ethics, trust, and contracts are examined through social and psychological sciences. Game theory, for example, studies the strategic interaction between rational decision-makers and can provide insight into the consequences and motivations behind agreements like the one between Rahab and the spies.

The study of human behavior also involves understanding why promises and oaths are taken seriously and how trust is a fundamental component of social cohesion. Anthropology and psychology explain that the breaking of such social contracts can lead to a breakdown in group relations and individual reputations.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have varied views on this verse. Some focus on the faith and bravery of Rahab, considering her a righteous person despite her profession. Others point to the strategic nature of the spies’ agreement, analyzing the mutual benefit and the underlying tension of trust and betrayal.

Commentators of the Middle Ages, like Rashi, elucidated on the precise wording and conditions of the oath, suggesting that it only applied under specific circumstances. Contemporary scholars might delve into the literary structure and theme of this section, noting how the story of Rahab fits into the broader narrative of Israel’s conquest and the recurring biblical theme of divine intervention.