The answer the Israelites give to Rahab’s request is difficult to understand. In Hebrew it is literally “Our lives for yours (plural) to death.” As Soggin says, this is “a self-cursing formula which guarantees the promise that they make.” So Good News Translation has May God take our lives if we don’t do as we say! But the alternative translation in the footnote is also possible, though less likely. The clause if we don’t do as we say may also be phrased, “if anything happens to one of you.” To avoid two consecutive “if” clauses, the second may be rendered, “But you must not tell anyone that we were here.” The next clause may then be rendered, “Then when the LORD gives us this land, we will keep our promise to treat you and your family well.”

The only condition they impose is that Rahab keep strict silence about their activities. We will treat you well translates the verb “we will do” followed by two Hebrew words which may be translated “loyalty and constancy” (or, “faithfulness”). New English Bible has “we will deal honestly and faithfully by you”; An American Translation “we will deal kindly and honestly with you.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .