Joshua 2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:14

Our life for yours - See the margin. This is (see Joshua 2:17) a form of oath, in which God is in effect invoked to punish them with death if they did not perform their promise to save Rahab’s life. Compare the more common form of oath, 1 Samuel 1:26, etc. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:15

Upon the town wall - The town wall probably formed the back wall of the house, and the window opened therefore into the country. (Compare Paul’s escape, 2 Corinthians 11:33). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:18

The “line” or cord was spun of threads dyed with cochineal: i. e., of a deep and bright scarlet color. The color would catch the eye at once, and supplied an obvious token by which the house of Rahab might be distinguished. The use of scarlet in the Levitical rites, especially in those more closely connected with the idea of putting away of sin and its consequences (compare e. g., Leviticus 14:4, Leviticus 14:6,Leviticus 14:51; Numbers 19:6), naturally led the fathers, from Clement of Rome... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:22

Unto the mountain - Probably the mountains to the west and north of Jericho, called afterward, from the belief that the 40 days of our Lord’s temptation were passed among them, the Quarantania. The spies avoided at the first the neighhourhood of the Jordan, where the pursuers sought them: and amidst the grottoes of the limestone rocks, which in later ages were the abode of numerous hermits, they could readily shelter themselves for three days. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2

A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451. Joshua sends spies to Jericho, Joshua 2:1 . Rahab receives and conceals them, Joshua 2:2-7 . Her agreement with them for the safety of herself and family, Joshua 2:8-21 . The return of the spies, and the account given by them, Joshua 2:22-24 . read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2:1

Joshua 2:1. And Joshua sent Or, had sent, before the directions mentioned in the preceding chapter (Joshua 2:10-11,) were given to the officers. This best agrees with Jos 2:22 of this chapter, and the rest of the narrative. Two men Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it. To spy That is, to learn the state of the land and people. It is evident Joshua did not this out of distrust; it is probable he had God’s command and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2:2-3

Joshua 2:2-3. To-night This evening. Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho, and God directed them to her! Thus, what seems to be most accidental is often overruled to serve the great ends of Providence. And those that acknowledge God in their ways, he will guide them with his eye. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2:4

Joshua 2:4. And the woman Or, But the woman; had taken and hid them Before the messengers came from the king; as soon as she understood from her neighbours that there was a suspicion of the matter, and guessed that search would be made. And this is justly mentioned as a great and generous act of faith, (Hebrews 11:31,) for she apparently ventured her life upon a steadfast persuasion of the truth of God’s word and promise given to the Israelites. Whence they were Her answer, contained... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2:6-7

Joshua 2:6-7. Up to the roof In those countries the roofs of the houses were made quite flat, and it is probable it might be customary to lay the stalks of flax upon them that they might be dried by the heat of the sun. Fords Or, passages; that is, the places where people used to pass over Jordan, whether by boats or bridges. The gate Of the city, to prevent the escape of the spies, if peradventure Rahab was mistaken, and they yet lurked therein. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 2:8-11

Joshua 2:8-11. Before they were laid down To sleep, as they intended. She came up unto them Having got clear of the officers, to the roof of the house, where they lay hid. Here she informs them, 1st, That the report of the great things God had done for them had reached Jericho. Not only that they had had an account of their late victories, obtained over the Amorites in the neighbouring country, on the other side the river; but that their miraculous deliverance out of Egypt, and passage... read more

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