Joshua 2:19

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֡ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כֹּ֣ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

And it shall be that whosoever

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֵצֵא֩

H3318

shall go out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִדַּלְתֵ֨י

H1817

of the doors

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

בַּבַּ֔יִת

H1004

and whosoever shall be with thee in the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַח֛וּצָה

H2351

into the street

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

דָּמ֣וֹ

H1818

his blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ

H7218

shall be on our head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#10

וַֽאֲנַ֣חְנוּ

H587

#11

נְקִיִּ֑ם

H5355

and we will be guiltless

innocent

#12

וְ֠כֹל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

And it shall be that whosoever

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

יִֽהְיֶ֤ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#15

אִתָּךְ֙

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#16

בַּבַּ֔יִת

H1004

and whosoever shall be with thee in the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#17

דָּמ֣וֹ

H1818

his blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

#18

בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ

H7218

shall be on our head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#19

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#20

יָ֖ד

H3027

if any hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#21

תִּֽהְיֶה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#22

בּֽוֹ׃

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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