King James Version

What Does Joshua 2:19 Mean?

Joshua 2:19 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 2:19 · KJV


Context

17

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

18

Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. bring: Heb. gather

19

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.

20

And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

21

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The warning that blood guilt falls on those leaving Rahab's house establishes personal responsibility for receiving offered salvation. Rejecting provided refuge brings self-imposed judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse appears in the Jordan crossing narrative, one of Joshua's most significant events demonstrating God's power and faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
  2. What application does this truth have for your walk with Christ today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָ֡ה1 of 22
H1961

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

כֹּ֣ל2 of 22
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 22

And it shall be that whosoever

H834

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

יֵצֵא֩4 of 22

shall go out

H3318

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

מִדַּלְתֵ֨י5 of 22

of the doors

H1817

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

בַּבַּ֔יִת6 of 22

and whosoever shall be with thee in the house

H1004

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

הַח֛וּצָה7 of 22

into the street

H2351

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

דָּמ֣וֹ8 of 22

his blood

H1818

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

בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ9 of 22

shall be on our head

H7218

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

וַֽאֲנַ֣חְנוּ10 of 22
H587

we

נְקִיִּ֑ם11 of 22

and we will be guiltless

H5355

innocent

וְ֠כֹל12 of 22
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 22

And it shall be that whosoever

H834

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

יִֽהְיֶ֤ה14 of 22
H1961

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

אִתָּךְ֙15 of 22
H854

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

בַּבַּ֔יִת16 of 22

and whosoever shall be with thee in the house

H1004

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

דָּמ֣וֹ17 of 22

his blood

H1818

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

בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ18 of 22

shall be on our head

H7218

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

אִם19 of 22
H518

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

יָ֖ד20 of 22

if any hand

H3027

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

תִּֽהְיֶה21 of 22
H1961

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

בּֽוֹ׃22 of 22
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 2:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 2:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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