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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 2:2-6

Rahab was a woman of faith in Yahweh (cf. Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). Apparently what she had heard about the God of Israel led her to place her trust in Him (Joshua 2:9-12). The protection of one’s houseguests was very important in the ancient Orient (cf. Genesis 19:8; Judges 19:20-24). This cultural pressure fortified her faith and doubtless encouraged her to hide the spies. Rahab should not have told a lie, however."To excuse Rahab for indulging in a common practice is to condone what God... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:1-24

The Two Spies at JerichoJoshua himself had been one of twelve sent by Moses on a similar errand, some thirty-eight years before (Numbers 13). The incident, natural in itself, acquires a special interest as bringing before us for the first time Rahab, the great-great-grandmother of David, and so human ancestress of our Saviour (Matthew 1:3-6, cp. Ruth 4:18-22). it affords incidentally a signal instance among Gentiles of belief in the power of the true God (Joshua 2:11.), which is rewarded... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:1-24

CHAPTER VII.THE SPIES IN JERICHO.Joshua 2:1-24.IT was not long ere Joshua found an occasion not only for the exercise of that courage to which he had been so emphatically called both by God and the people, but for calling on others to practise the same manly virtue. For the duty which he laid on the two spies - detectives we should now call them - to enter Jericho and bring a report of its condition, was perhaps the most perilous to which it was possible for men to be called. It was like... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 2:1-24

2. The Spies and Rahab’s Faith CHAPTER 2 1. The spies sent forth (Joshua 2:1 ) 2. Rahab’s faith and works (Joshua 2:2-14 ) 3. The escape of the spies and assurance given (Joshua 2:15-21 ) 4. The return of the spies (Joshua 2:22-24 ) The historical account needs not to be restated. Joshua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses, now sends two spies to view the land, even Jericho. Jericho was the great stronghold of the enemy, surrounded by high walls. Jericho means “fragrance” and... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:1-24

THE SPIES RECEIVED AND HIDDEN BY RAHAB (vv. 1-24) Joshua then sent two spies to "view the land, especially Jericho"(v. 1).Twelve men had been sent before at the request of the people (Deuteronomy 1:22-23). At that time the people wanted to find out whether they were likely to be able to overcome the enemy, and ten of the twelve spies reported that the odds were against them, so that the people refused to go in. Only Joshua and Caleb urged that they should launch an attack because they knew... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:1-24

JOSHUA IN COMMAND This book might have for a secondary name, The Book of Conquest and Division, with reference to the events it records. The marginal chronology indicates that it covered a period of about twenty-five years, but we have seen that this chronology is not part of the inspired text, and is not to be taken as absolute authority. It is safer to say that we do not know how long a period may have been covered by these events. According to Martin Anstey’s “The Romance of Chronology,”... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Joshua 2:1-24

The Spirit and Purpose of Divine Providence Joshua 2:0 RAHAB was a woman without social repute. She became, however, a considerable figure in history. She was the wife of Salmon, the son of Naason, by whom she became the mother of Boaz, the grandfather of Jesse, the father of David, in proof of this see Matthew 1:6 ; Ruth 4:20-21 : and 1 Chronicles 2:11 , 1 Chronicles 2:54 , 1 Chronicles 2:55 . Thus there was Gentile blood in the lineage of the Son of man. These points, apparently incidental... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Joshua 2:5-7

The apostle James had it in commission from the Holy Ghost, to tell the church, that the harlot Rahab was justified by works, but then it was, as he observed, the works of faith: meaning that her belief in the God of Israel, was not a cold inactive faith, but a faith that was so well founded, through grace, as to manifest itself in all suitable conduct. James 2:25 . read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:5

At the time, not precisely, as otherwise the men who shut the gates must have seen them, but about that time, (Calmet) Rahab pretends that the spies had left her house, and had directed their course towards the gate, so that she made no doubt but they might easily overtake them. (Haydock) --- Notwithstanding this officious lie, which is a venial sin, St. Paul and St. James testify that she was justified by her faith in God, and by good works towards these men. See St. Augustine, contra Mend.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:1-7

1-7 Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab appears to have been an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad life, which is doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us most accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve great ends. It was... read more

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