And if thou utter this our business ,.... So that others would either hang out scarlet threads or get into her house for shelter; see Gill on Joshua 2:14 , then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear ; be under no obligation to make it good, by saving her and her father's house. read more
If thou utter this our business - It was prudent to make her life depend on her secresy; had it been otherwise she might have been tempted to give information, not only concerning the spies, but concerning the designs of the Israelites. But her life being at stake, added to every other motive, she kept the secret for the sake of her own personal safety and that of all her relatives. read more
The oath of the spies, and their return to Joshua. This passage suggests considerations of various kinds, historical, practical, and allegorical. I. THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE SPIES . They had, no doubt, been specially selected by Joshua for this purpose, and they show themselves worthy of his choice. II. THE SCARLET CORD A TOKEN OF SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST . For scarlet, or rather crimson (see note), is the colour of blood. The scarlet cord had been the... read more
And if thou utter this our business. This was an obvious condition. Rahab's betrayal of the spies could not save Jericho, but it would destroy them, or at least expose them to imminent danger. She would, therefore, by mentioning the matter, deprive herself of all title to protection. read more
And if thou utter this our business. This was an obvious condition. Rahab's betrayal of the spies could not save Jericho, but it would destroy them, or at least expose them to imminent danger. She would, therefore, by mentioning the matter, deprive herself of all title to protection. 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
"And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we shall be... read more
Ver. 17-20. And the men said unto her, &c.— Before they left her house, they had answered her request with respect to her security; as they not only engaged themselves to perform it, but also settled with her about the token which was to be her safeguard, and to assist them in keeping their word. This token was a line of scarlet thread, according to our version. But it is not quite clear that שׁני shani specifies the colour of this line. The word comes from שׁנה shanah, i.e. to double; so... 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
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 2:8-21
The matter is here settled between Rahab and the spies respecting the service she was now to do for them, and the favour they were afterwards to show to her. She secures them on condition that they should secure her. I. She gives them, and by them sends to Joshua and Israel, all the encouragement that could be desired to make their intended descent upon Canaan. This was what they came for, and it was worth coming for. Having got clear of the officers, she comes up to them to the roof of the... read more