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
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
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
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
Joshua. He had been one of the twelve spies himself. Numbers 13:8 , Numbers 13:16 . sent = had sent. See Joshua 1:11 . Compare Joshua 1:2 . men. Hebrew, plural of ish or enosh. See App-14 . view, Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and view". Jericho. In Num. eleven times Yerecho. Here Yericho. Showing difference of authorship. came. The Septuagint preserves the primitive text by adding "to Jericho and came". Omitted by Figure of speech ... read more
Behold. Figure of speech Asteriemos. App-6 . children = sons. read more
all. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, omit "all". read more
wist not. Anglo-Saxon for "knew not". It is this record that is inspired, not the act and words of Rahab. read more
whither. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "and whither". wot . Anglo-Saxon "know". read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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