Joshua 2:2-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 2:1-7

In these verses we have, I. The prudence of Joshua, in sending spies to observe this important pass, which was likely to be disputed at the entrance of Israel into Canaan (Josh. 2:1). Go view the land, even Jericho. Moses had sent spies (Num. 13:1-33) Joshua himself was one of them and it proved of ill consequence. Yet Joshua now sent spies, not, as the former were sent, to survey the whole land, but Jericho only; not to bring the account to the whole congregation, but to Joshua only, who,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:2

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying ,.... Who being alarmed at the near approach of the Israelites, and knowing their claim to the land of Canaan, and their design upon it, employed men to watch and observe what passed in the city, and parts adjacent, and inform him of it; or some persons of themselves, and for their own safety, and the good of their fellow citizens, gave notice to the king of it: behold, there came men hither tonight of the children of Israel ; who were known by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:3

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab ,.... Not merely because she kept a public house, or being a prostitute had often strangers in it, and so conjectured that the men he had notice of might be there; but he sent upon certain information that they were seen to go in there, as it follows: saying, bring forth the men that are come to thee ; not to commit lewdness with her, though this is the sense some Jewish commentators give; but this neither agrees with the character of the men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:4

And the woman took the two men ,.... Or "she had taken" them F26 ותפח "duxerat, tulerat"; so Syr. Ar. Kimchi, & Ben Melech. before the messengers came, upon a rumour she understood was gone abroad, that she had got Israelitish spies in her house, and so might expect to be visited and searched by the king's officers, and therefore took this precaution: and hid them ; the Hebrew word is singular, "him" F1 ותצפנו "et abscondit eum", Montanus; "abdiderat eum", Vatablus. :... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:5

And it came to pass, about the time of the shutting of the gate ,.... Of the city, which was done every night, and at a certain time: when it was dark ; the sun set, and night come on: that the men went out ; out of her house, and out of the city too, as she said, though it was a downright lie, as well as what follows: whither the men went I wot not ; though she knew they were not gone, but were now in her house; she might not scruple telling a lie, being brought up a Heathen,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:6

But she had brought them up to the roof of the house ,.... Before the messengers came; though Abarbinel thinks it was after they were gone, when she took them from the place of their concealment, and had them to the roof of the house, where she thought they would be safe and secure, should the messengers return, or others come in search of them, who would not, as she imagined, look for them there: and hid them with the stalks of flax ; that is, under them, or "in flax of wood", or "a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 2:7

And the men pursued after them ,.... As they thought: the way to Jordan ; on the other side of which the people of Israel lay encamped, to which they supposed, according to Rahab's account, these two men directed their course: unto the fords ; the fords of Jordan, the passages through it; for in some places, and at some times, it was fordable; which accounts for the way in which these spies could get over Jordan, see Genesis 32:10 ; it was most reasonable to conclude they would... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:3

The king of Jericho sent unto Rahab - This appears to be a proof of the preceding opinion: had she been a prostitute or a person of ill fame he could at once have sent officers to have seized the persons lodged with her as vagabonds; but if she kept a house of entertainment, the persons under her roof were sacred, according to the universal custom of the Asiatics, and could not be molested on any trifling grounds. A guest or a friend is sacred in whatever house he may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:4

And hid them - Probably she secreted them for the time being in some private corner, till she had the opportunity of concealing them on the house-top in the manner mentioned Joshua 2:6 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 2:5

When it was dark - So it appears that it was after night that the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, ordering her to produce the persons who lodged with her. The season itself was friendly to the whole plot: had these transactions taken place in daylight, it is scarcely possible that the spies could have escaped. But this is no excuse for the woman's prevarication, for God could have saved his messengers independently of her falsity. God never says to any, Do evil that good may come of it.... read more

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