Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Rahab addresses the two Israelite spies from her rooftop stronghold in Jericho, concluding her negotiation for a sworn guarantee of safety for her household.
The words — וְ/הַחֲיִתֶ֞ם (ve./ha.cha.yi.Tem) literally renders “and you will let live,” paired with the direct object marker אֶת\־ ('et-) introducing אָבִ֣/י ('a.V/i, “my father”), אִמִּ֗/י ('i.M/i, “my mother”), and אַחַ/י֙ ('a.Cha/i, “my brothers”).
The thread — The demand to spare kin and the plea “deliver us from death” echo the covenantal preservation language of Exodus 12:13 and the familial oath pattern of Ruth 1:16.
Why it lands — The text records a conditional request for physical preservation tied to a sworn oath, demanding a reader recognize that survival depends on a binding agreement rather than personal merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.