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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:4

The harlot Rahab. A peculiar interest has always attached to this woman's case. Of the doomed nations with whom Israel came into collision, she is the first to be known, and the first to escape the doom ordained for them: an early type of the calling of the Gentiles; a whisper that the faith which was a sacred secret for Israel would yet become the heritage of the world; a study for early theologians on the sovereign grace of God, which can call those farthest off and make them vessels of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:5

I wot not. Much has Been said about Rahab's falsehood which is little to the point. The sacred historian simply narrates the fact, and makes no comment whatever upon it. But the fact that Rahab afterwards became the wife of Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah, as the genealogy in St. Matthew informs us, shows that neither her falsehood nor her mode of life excited much disapprobation among the Jews. Nor need this surprise us. There is no need, with Keil, to repudiate energetically the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:6

But she had brought them up. Literally, and she caused them to ascend; but our version has very properly (see Joshua 2:4 ) given the preterite the pluperfect sense here. "Two strangers, Israelites, spies, have a safe harbour provided them, even amongst their enemies, against the proclamation of a king." "Where cannot the God of heaven either find or raise up friends to His own causes and servants?" (Bp. Hall) To the roof of the house. The flat roofs of Oriental, and even of Greek and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:4

I wist not whence they were - Rahab acted as she did from the belief in God’s declared word, and conviction that resistance to His will would be both vain and wicked Joshua 2:9-11. Thus, she manifested a faith both sound and practical, and is praised accordingly Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25. The falsehood to which she had recourse may be excused by the pressure of circumstances and by her own antecedents, but cannot be defended. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 2:6

Stalks of flax - literally, “the carded fibres of the tree.” The flax in Palestine grew to more than three feet in height, with a stalk as thick as a cane. It was probably with the flax stalks, recently cut (compare Exodus 9:31, note) and laid out on the house roof to dry, that Rahab hid the spies. 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:1-24

1:1-5:15 ENTRY INTO CANAANPreparations (1:1-2:24)God’s command to Joshua was brief and straightforward: he was to take the land of Canaan. (The region in which Canaan was situated was occupied by various tribal peoples, the most important of whom were the Hittites and the Amorites.) Israel would not win the land without a fight, but the people had God’s assurance that wherever they advanced they would gain possession (1:1-5). As leader of the people, Joshua had the assurance of God’s presence,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 2:4

wist not. Anglo-Saxon for "knew not". It is this record that is inspired, not the act and words of Rahab. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 2:5

whither. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "and whither". wot . Anglo-Saxon "know". read more

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