Joshua 2

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:7

Unto the fords. There were several of these fords. One near Jericho (cf, 3:28 ; 12:5 , 12:6 ; 2 Samuel 17:22 , 2 Samuel 17:24 ; 2 Samuel 19:16 , 2 Samuel 19:19 , 2 Samuel 19:39 ); one at Bethsean, now Beisan, leading to Succoth ( 8:4 ; cf. Genesis 32:22 ; Genesis 33:17 . See Robinson, ' Biblical Researches' 2.497; Ritter, 'Geography of Palestine'); beside others not mentioned in Scripture. A vivid description of the crossing the Jordan at the fords near Jericho is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:8

And before they were laid down, i.e; to sleep on the roof, a common practice in the East in summer. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:9

Hath given. Rahab's faith is shown by this expression. What God willed she regarded as already done. To speak of the future as of a past already fulfilled is the usual language of the Hebrew prophets. Faint, Literally, melt ; cf. Exodus 15:15 , Exodus 15:16 , which is thus shown to be not poetic license, but sober fact. For we may take the future in the passage just cited as a present, and translate, "All the inhabitants of Canaan melt away; fear and dread are falling upon them" (cf.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:9

Rahab's faith Since the time when Moses despatched twelve spies to inspect the land, the fame of the Israelites had spread amongst the inhabitants of Canaan. They were on their guard, and it was necessary to act with caution. Joshua sent, therefore, only two men, and that" secretly." The few are sometimes better than the many. Arriving at Jericho towards evening, they entered into Rahab's house, there to spend the night. As Rahab is honourably mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:9

Rahab and the spies. The history of the escape of the Israelitish spies through the assistance of Rahab the harlot, and the reward given her for her services, in the sparing of her life when all her townsfolk perished, is one which presents many moral difficulties. To help the enemies of one's country is an act severely and justly reprobated by all nations. That which is in itself evil cannot be transformed into good because it is done for a good cause; otherwise we ought to give plenary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:9

Rahab and the spies. The history of the escape of the Israelitish spies through the assistance of Rahab the harlot, and the reward given her for her services, in the sparing of her life when all her townsfolk perished, is one which presents many moral difficulties. To help the enemies of one's country is an act severely and justly reprobated by all nations. That which is in itself evil cannot be transformed into good because it is done for a good cause; otherwise we ought to give plenary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 2:10

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you. Rahab uses the word יְהֹוָה . Whether this name were known to her or not, she knew what was signified by it, the one only self-existent God (since יהוה is clearly derived from הָיָה or הָוָה to be ) , the Author of all things, visible and invisible (see Joshua 2:11 ). The Red Sea. Brugsch, in his 'History of Egypt,' denies that יַם־סוּף should be rendered 'Red Sea,' and affirms that this error... read more

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