This verse from Joshua 2:17 is part of the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies in Jericho. Let's break down what it means:
Context: The Israelite spies were sent into Jericho to scout the land before the Israelite army invaded. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, hid them in her home.
"The men said to her...": "The men" refers to the two Israelite spies.
"...We will be guiltless of this your oath which you’ve made us to swear.": This is the core of the verse. Rahab had made the spies swear an oath to protect her and her family when the Israelites attacked Jericho. In return for hiding them, she wanted assurance of their safety. This phrase means that the spies are telling Rahab they will not be held responsible or morally culpable if they fail to protect her and her family if she doesn't follow certain instructions.
Essentially, they are adding a condition to their promise. They're saying, "We promise to protect you and your family, but our promise is only valid if you follow our instructions completely."
What those instructions were (found in the following verses):
She had to tie a scarlet cord in the window through which she let them down.
She had to gather all her family into her house.
Anyone outside the house would not be protected.
She must not betray their mission.
In simpler terms: The spies were saying to Rahab, "We promise to keep you and your family safe, but we will only be held to our promise if you follow all our instructions precisely. If you don't, we won't be responsible for what happens to you." They wanted to ensure that their promise was contingent on her cooperation and adherence to their plan, presumably to ensure the plan's success and their own safety. If she failed to follow their directions, they would be relieved of any blame or obligation to protect her.
This verse from Joshua 2:17 is part of the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies in Jericho. Let's break down what it means:
Context: The Israelite spies were sent into Jericho to scout the land before the Israelite army invaded. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, hid them in her home.
"The men said to her...": "The men" refers to the two Israelite spies.
"...We will be guiltless of this your oath which you’ve made us to swear.": This is the core of the verse. Rahab had made the spies swear an oath to protect her and her family when the Israelites attacked Jericho. In return for hiding them, she wanted assurance of their safety. This phrase means that the spies are telling Rahab they will not be held responsible or morally culpable if they fail to protect her and her family if she doesn't follow certain instructions.
Essentially, they are adding a condition to their promise. They're saying, "We promise to protect you and your family, but our promise is only valid if you follow our instructions completely."
What those instructions were (found in the following verses):
She had to tie a scarlet cord in the window through which she let them down.
She had to gather all her family into her house.
Anyone outside the house would not be protected.
She must not betray their mission.
In simpler terms: The spies were saying to Rahab, "We promise to keep you and your family safe, but we will only be held to our promise if you follow all our instructions precisely. If you don't, we won't be responsible for what happens to you." They wanted to ensure that their promise was contingent on her cooperation and adherence to their plan, presumably to ensure the plan's success and their own safety. If she failed to follow their directions, they would be relieved of any blame or obligation to protect her.