Joshua 2:13

13 of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters - everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!"

Joshua 2:13 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 2:13

And [that] ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and
my brethren, and my sisters
She makes no mention of any husband or children she had, as harlots seldom have, and which seems to confirm her character as such; and so Abarbinel observes, that her father's house is only mentioned to tell us that she had no husband, for she was an harlot and had no children, and puts her father and mother in the room of an husband, and her brethren and sisters in the room of children:

and all that they have;
not their substance only, but their children more especially, the children of her brethren and sisters:

and deliver our lives from death;
here she manifestly includes herself, and requests the saving of her life, and the lives of all her relations, when she knew the inhabitants of the city would be all put to death upon the taking of it: thus she provided for the safety of her family, as Noah in another case and manner did, ( Hebrews 11:7 ) ; and indeed seemed more concerned for them than for herself; and thus souls sensible of their own estate and condition, by nature and grace, are very solicitous for the salvation of their relations and friends, ( Romans 9:3 ) .

Joshua 2:13 In-Context

11 We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below.
12 "Now promise me by God. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee
13 of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters - everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!"
14 "Our lives for yours!" said the men. "But don't tell anyone our business. When God turns this land over to us, we'll do right by you in loyal mercy."
15 She lowered them down out a window with a rope because her house was on the city wall to the outside.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.