Joshua 2
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Commentaries
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Joshua - sent - two men to spy secretly - It is very likely that these spies had been sent out soon after the death of Moses, and therefore our marginal reading, had sent, is to be preferred. Secretly - It is very probable also that these were confidential persons, and that the transaction was between them and him alone. As they were to pass over the Jordan opposite to Jericho, it was necessary that they should have possession of this city, that in case of any reverses they might have no enemies in their rear. He sent the men, therefore, to see the state of the city, avenues of approach, fortifications, etc., that he might the better concert his mode of attack. A harlot's house - Harlots and inn-keepers seem to have been called by the same name, as no doubt many who followed this mode of life, from their exposed situation, were not the most correct in their morals. Among the ancients women generally kept houses of entertainment, and among the Egyptians and Greeks this was common. I shall subjoin a few proofs. Herodotus, speaking concerning the many differences between Egypt and other countries, and the peculiarity of their laws and customs, expressly says: Εν τοισι αἱ μεν γυναικες αγοραζουσι και καπηλευουσι· οἱ δε ανδρες, κατ' οικους εοντες, ὑφαινουσι. "Among the Egyptians the women carry on all commercial concerns, and keep taverns, while the men continue at home and weave." Herod. in Euterp., c. xxxv. Diodorus Siculus, lib. i., s. 8, and c. xxvii., asserts that "the men were the slaves of the women in Egypt, and that it is stipulated in the marriage contract that the woman shall be the ruler of her husband, and that he shall obey her in all things." The same historian supposes that women had these high privileges among the Egyptians, to perpetuate the memory of the…
Open source ↗RAHAB RECEIVES AND CONCEALS THE TWO SPIES. (Jos 2:1-7) Joshua . . . sent . . . two men to spy secretly--Faith is manifested by an active, persevering use of means (Jam 2:22); and accordingly Joshua, while confident in the accomplishment of the divine promise (Jos 1:3), adopted every precaution which a skilful general could think of to render his first attempt in the invasion of Canaan successful. Two spies were despatched to reconnoitre the country, particularly in the neighborhood of Jericho; for in the prospect of investing that place, it was desirable to obtain full information as to its site, its approaches, the character, and resources of its inhabitants. This mission required the strictest privacy, and it seems to have been studiously concealed from the knowledge of the Israelites themselves, test any unfavorable or exaggerated report, publicly circulated, might have dispirited the people, as that of the spies did in the days of Moses. Jericho--Some derive this name from a word signifying "new moon," in reference to the crescent-like plain in which it stood, formed by an amphitheater of hills; others from a word signifying "its scent," on account of the fragrance of the balsam and palm trees in which it was embosomed. Its site was long supposed to be represented by the small mud-walled hamlet Er-Riha; but recent researches have fixed on a spot about half an hour's journey westward, where large ruins exist about six or eight miles distant from the Jordan. It was for that age a strongly fortified town, the key of the eastern pass through the deep ravine, now called Wady-Kelt, into the interior of Palestine. they . . . came into an harlot's house--Many expositors, desirous of removing the stigma of this name from an ancestress of the Saviour (Mat 1:5), have called he…
Open source ↗And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men,.... Or "had sent" (p); for this was done before the above order to depart: it is a tradition of the Jews (q), that they were Caleb and Phinehas; but they were not young men, as in Jos 6:23; especially the former; nor is it probable that men of such rank and figure should be sent, but rather meaner persons; yet such as were men of good sense and abilities, and capable of conducting such an affair they were sent about, as well as men of probity and faithfulness; two good men, Kimchi says they were, and not as they that went on the mission of Moses; these were sent from Shittim, the same with Abelshittim, in the plains of Moab, where Israel now lay encamped, Num 33:49, which Josephus (r) calls Abila, and says it was sixty furlongs, or seven miles and better, from Jordan: to spy secretly; or "silently" (s); not so much with respect to the inhabitants of the land, for it is supposed in all spies, that they do their business in the most private and secret manner, so as not to be discovered by the inhabitants, whose land they are sent to spy; but with respect to the children of Israel, that they might know nothing of it, lest they should be discouraged, thinking that Joshua was in some fear of the Canaanites, and under some distrust of the promise of God to give the land to them: the word for "smiths", and also for persons deaf and dumb, coming from the same root, have furnished the Jewish writers with various conceits, as that these spies went in the habit of smiths with the instruments of their business in their hands; or acted as deaf and dumb persons, and so as incapable of giving an account of themselves, or of answering to any questions put to them, should they be taken up and examined; their commentators in general…
Open source ↗Two Spies Sent Over to Jericho. - Jos 2:1. Although Joshua had received a promise from the Lord of His almighty help in the conquest of Canaan, he still thought it necessary to do what was requisite on his part to secure the success of the work committed to him, as the help of God does not preclude human action, but rather presupposes it. He therefore sent two men out secretly as spies from Shittim the place of encampment at that time (see at Num 25:1), to view, i.e., explore, the land, especially Jericho, the strongly fortified frontier town of Canaan (Jos 6:1). The word "secretly" is connected by the accents with "saying," giving them their instructions secretly; but this implies that they were also sent out secretly. This was done partly in order that the Canaanites might not hear of it, and partly in order that, if the report should prove unfavourable, the people might not be thrown into despair, as they had been before in the time of Moses. The spies proceeded to Jericho, and towards evening they entered the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there, lit. laid themselves down, intended to remain or sleep there. Jericho was two hours' journey to the west of the Jordan, situated in a plain that was formerly very fertile, and celebrated for its palm trees and balsam shrubs, but which is now quite desolate and barren. This plain is encircled on the western side by a naked and barren range of mountains, which stretches as far as Beisan towards the north and to the Dead Sea on the south. Every trace of the town has long since passed away, though it evidently stood somewhere near, and probably on the northern side of, the miserable and dirty village of Rha, by the Wady Kelt (see Robinson, Pal. ii. pp. 279ff., 289ff.; v. Raumer, Pal. pp. 206ff.). Rahab is called a zo…
Open source ↗In these verses we have, I. The prudence of Joshua, in sending spies to observe this important pass, which was likely to be disputed at the entrance of Israel into Canaan (v. 1). Go view the land, even Jericho. Moses had sent spies (Num. 13) Joshua himself was one of them and it proved of ill consequence. Yet Joshua now sent spies, not, as the former were sent, to survey the whole land, but Jericho only; not to bring the account to the whole congregation, but to Joshua only, who, like a watchful general, was continually projecting for the public good, and, was particularly careful to take the first step well and not to stumble at the threshold. It was not fit that Joshua should venture over Jordan, to make his remarks incognito - in disguise; but he sends two men (two young men, says the Septuagint), to view the land, that from their report he might take his measures in attacking Jericho. Observe, 1. There is no remedy, but great men must see with other people's eyes, which makes it very necessary that they be cautious in the choice of those they employ, since so much often depends upon their fidelity. 2. Faith in God's promise ought not to supersede but encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. Joshua is sure he has God with him, and yet sends men before him. We do not trust God, but tempt him, if our expectations slacken our endeavours. 3. See how ready these men were to go upon this hazardous enterprise. Though they put their lives in their hands yet they ventured in obedience to Joshua their general, in zeal for the service of the camp, and in dependence upon the power of that God who, being the keeper of Israel in general, is the protector of every particular Israelite in the way of his duty. II. The providence of God directing the spies to the house of R…
Open source ↗2:1-24 Like any good military commander, Joshua sent out spies or scouts to get information about his objective. • Because Israel planned to approach Canaan from the east, they could not bypass Jericho. 2:1 Acacia Grove was about eight miles east of the Jordan River on the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (see Num 25:1). • In the house of a prostitute strangers could avoid unwanted attention. According to tradition, Rahab was an innkeeper as well as a prostitute (Josephus, Antiquities 5.1.2). Other evidence from the ancient Near East suggests that women who owned and operated inns were often prostitutes.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נוּן (Nûwn, H5126) — Nun or Non, the father of Joshua שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שִׁטִּים (Shiṭṭîym, H7851) — Shittim, a place East of the Jordan שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer… חֶרֶשׁ (cheresh, H2791) — magical craft; also silence אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חָפַר (châphar, H2658) — properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) רָחָב (Râchâb, H7343) — Rachab, a Canaanitess אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חָפַר (châphar, H2658) — properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) צָפַן (tsâphan, H6845) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אַיִן (ʼayin, H370) — where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
Open source ↗סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מַהֵר (mahêr, H4118) — properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in ahurry נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — linen (i.e. the thread, as carded) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine מַעֲבָר (maʻăbâr, H4569) — a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e.… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֵימָה (ʼêymâh, H367) — fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מוּג (mûwg, H4127) — to melt, i.e. literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen סוּף (çûwph, H5488) — a reed, especially the papyrus יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); מָסַס (mâçaç, H4549) — to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,…
Open source ↗חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);…
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
And the five men who had gone to spy out the land went inside and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, while the priest stood at the entrance of the gate with the six hundred armed men.
On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover.