Joshua 2:12

Mercy and compassion Faithfulness and loyalty The stranger and outcast

¹⁰ For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction.

¹¹ When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

¹³ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.”

¹⁴ “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign
KJV: Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
WEB: Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a true sign;
ASV: Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by Jehovah, since I have dealt kindly with you, that ye also will deal kindly with my father`s house, and give me a true token;
DARBY: And now, I pray you, swear to me by Jehovah, since I have dealt kindly with you, that ye will also deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a certain sign,
BLB: And now swear to me, please, by YHWH, since I have shown you⁺ kindness, that you⁺ also will show kindness to the house of my father, and give to me a sign of truth,

ÅB: Så sverg meg nå til ved Herren, siden jeg har vist barmhjertighet mot dere, at også dere vil vise barmhjertighet mot min fars hus, og gi meg slik et tegn på deres ærlighet,
OTB: “Nå, vær så snill, sverg til meg ved Herren at dere vil vise godhet mot min familie, slik jeg har vist godhet mot dere. Gi meg et sikkert tegn
B1930: Så sverg mig nu til ved Herren, siden jeg har vist barmhjertighet mot eder, at også I vil vise barmhjertighet mot min fars hus, og gi mig således et tegn på eders ærlighet,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Joshua 2:18
unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.
Read in context
James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Read in context
Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
Read in context
Joshua 2:13
that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 30:15
“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”
Read in context
Ezekiel 9:4–6
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 20:14–17
And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die,
Read in context
Jeremiah 12:16
And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.
Read in context