Ver. 15. Then she let them down, &c.— Having thus mutually given their word to each other, she took advantage of the darkness of the night, to let them down by means of a cord, through a window of her house which opened to the country. This house was built upon the wall, or in the wall itself of the city, very near the gate. One of the fronts looked into the city; the other out of it. read more
15. her house was upon the town wall—In many Oriental cities houses are built on the walls with overhanging windows; in others the town wall forms the back wall of the house, so that the window opens into the country. Rahab's was probably of this latter description, and the cord or rope sufficiently strong to bear the weight of a man. read more
The spies gave their solemn promise to spare Rahab and her household but specified three conditions that Rahab had to meet.1. She had to make her home known to the Israelites when they attacked (Joshua 2:18).2. She had to assemble her family into her home before the battle (Joshua 2:18).3. She had to keep the mission of the spies a secret (Joshua 2:20; Joshua 2:14).The cord Rahab was to hang out of her window and over the town wall-her house stood on the wall (Joshua 2:15)-was scarlet in color... read more
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
(15) Her house was upon the town wall—Happily for the two spies. Perhaps, indeed, they selected it for this reason, as it enabled them to leave the town without passing the gate. read more
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
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
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
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
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 2:15-16
"Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountains, lest the pursuers light upon you; and hide yourself there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way."This whole narrative is clear enough when due allowance is made for the deficient Hebrew tenses. Joshua 2:16 is a clear reference to the woman's instructions before she let them down... read more