Joshua 2:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rahab asks the spies to swear by the LORD that they will show kindness to her family as she has shown kindness to them.
What Does Joshua 2:12 Mean?
Having confessed her faith, Rahab now makes her request. She asks the men to swear by the LORD that they will deal kindly with her father's house, just as she has dealt kindly with them, and to give her a sure sign of their promise. Her plea reaches beyond herself to her whole family.
The word she uses for kindness is the rich language of covenant loyalty, the steadfast love God shows His people. Rahab asks to be received into that same faithfulness. Her concern for her father's house shows a faith that longs to bring others in. Those who find refuge in the Lord rightly yearn to see their loved ones sheltered too.
Joshua 2:12 in the Original Language
hesed (חֶסֶד), 'kindness' -- steadfast, loyal covenant love that keeps faith with another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 2:12
What does Joshua 2:12 mean?
Rahab asks the spies to swear by the LORD that they will show kindness to her family as she has shown kindness to them.