Joshua 2

AND Joshua the son of Nun sent Or, had sent, as that Tense is oft used: See on Iosh. 1. 11. out of Shittim Called also Abel-shittim, Num. 33. 49. two men Not twelve, as Moses did, partly because the people of Canaan were now more alarm'd than in Moses his time, and more suspicious of all strangers; and partly because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it., to spy i. e. To learn the state of the land and people, and what way and method they should proceed in. It is evident enough, That Ioshua did not this out of distrust, as the people did, Deut 1. and it is most probable, he had Gods Command and Direction in it for the encouragement of himself and his Army in their present Enterprize. † secretly With reference not to his Enemies, which being the constant and necessary practice of all Spies, was needless to be mentioned; but to the Israelites, without their knowledg or desire. And this seems added by way of opposition unto the like Action, Deut 1. where it was done with the peoples privity, and upon their motion; and therefore an Account was given not only to Moses, but also to the Congregation; whereas here it was given to Ioshua only, v. 23. which was a good Caution to prevent the Inconveniency which possibly might have arisen, if their Report had been doubtful or discouraging., saying, Go view the land, even Jericho i. e. The land about Iericho, together with the City. Heb. The land and Iericho, i. e. especially Iericho. So and is used, 2 Sam. 2. 30. 1 King. 11. 1. Psal. 18. 1. They obeyed Ioshua's Command, even with the hazard of their own lives, considering that they were under the protection of divine Providence, which could very easily many ways secure them; or being willing to sacrifice their lives in their Countreys service.: and they went, and came into an harlots So the Hebrew word is used, Iudg. 11. 1. and 16. 1. 1 King. 3. 16. Ezek. 23. 44 and so it is rendred by two Apostles, Heb. 11. 31. Iam. 2. 25. such she either now was, or formerly had been; and such a persons house they might come to with less observation than to an Hostess, as some render it, or to a publick Victualling-House. And such a course of life was very common among the Gentiles, who esteemed Fornication to be either no sin, or a very small and trivial one. Or, lay down; as the same word is rendred, v. 8. intended and composed themselves to rest; but they were disturbed and hindred from their Intentions upon the following Discovery. house, named Rahab, and † lodged h there.

And it was told the King of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came in men hither to night This evening, by comparing this with v. 5., of the children of Israel, to search out the Country.

And the King of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entred into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

And the woman took the two men, and hid them Or, But the Woman had taken—and had hid them, to wit, before the Messengers came from the King; as soon as she understood from her Neighbours or common Rumor, 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, Heb. 11. 31. for she did apparently venture her life upon a stedfast persuasion of the Truth of Gods Word and Promise given to the Israelites., and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were Her Answer contained in these and the following words, was palpably false, and therefore unquestionably sinful; howsoever, her intention was good therein: See Rom. 3. 8. But it is very probable, she being an Heathen, might think, what some Christians have thought and said, That an officious Lie is not unlawful. Or at worst, this was her Infirmity, which was graciously pardoned by God, and her Faith was amply rewarded.:

And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate Either of her house, or rather of the City which was shut at a certain time., when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went, I wot not: pursue after them quickly, for ye shall overtake them.

But she had brought them up to the roof Which was plain after the manner: See Deut. 22. 8. Mat. 10. 27. Act. 10. 9. Mark 2. 4. of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof That they may be dried by the heat of the Sun..

And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the foords Or passages, i. e. The usual places where people used to pass over Iordan, whether by Boats or Bridges; or rather, because of the shallowness of the River, which a little after this, swelled higher, as the History will tell us; and as it is very usual for Rivers to do.: and assoon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate Of the City, partly for their security against their approaching Enemies; and partly to prevent the escape of the Spies, if peradventure Rahab was mistaken, and they yet lurked in the City..

And before they were laid down To rest or sleep, as they intended, being now, after the departure of the Searchers come from their hiding-place to their resting place., she came up unto them upon the roof,

And she said unto the men Qu. How could they understand one the other? Ans. 1. The Hebrew and the Canaan or Phoenician Languages have a very great resemblance, and are thought to be but differing Dialects of one and the same Tongue, as the learned prove by a multitude of words which are common to both of them. Or, 2. some of the Hebrews had either out of curiosity, or by Ioshua's order and direction, learnt that Language for this or other such like Occasions., I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror i. e. The dread of you: See Exod. 23. 27. and 34. 24. Deut. 11. 25. and 28. 7. is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red-sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt, and what ye did unto the two Kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og whom ye utterly destroyed.

And assoon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt i. e. Was dissolved, lost all consistency and courage. This Phrase is oft used, as Deut. 1. 28. and 20. 8. Iosh. 5. 1. and 7. 5., neither † did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath. He can do whatsoever he pleaseth in Heaven and Earth; whereas our Gods are inclosed in Heaven, and can do nothing to us upon Earth.

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD By your God who is the only true God; so she shows her Conversion to God, and owns his Worship, one eminent Act whereof is swearing by his Name., since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my fathers house My near Kindred, which she particularly names, v. 13. Husband and Children it seems she had none. And for her self, it was needless to speak, it being a plain and undeniable Duty to save their Preserver.; and give me a true token Either an assurance that you will preserve me and mine from the common Ruine: or a Token which I may produce as a Witness of this agreement, and a mean of my security.:

And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have i. e. Their Children, as appears from Iosh. 6. 23., and deliver our lives from death.

And the men answered her, Our life † for yours We pawn and will venture our lives for the security of yours. Or, may we perish, if you be not preserved., if ye utter not this our business i. e. This Agreement of ours, and the way and condition of it, lest others under this pretence, secure themselves. By which they show both their Piety and Prudence in managing their Oath with so much Circumspection and Caution, that neither their own Consciences might be ensnared, nor the publick Justice obstructed.. And it shall be when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the Townwall Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing them when the gates were shut., and she dwelt upon the wall Her particular dwelling was there: which may possibly be added, because the other part of her House was reserved for the entertainment of Strangers..

And she said unto them, Get ye to the mountain i. e. To some of the Mountains wherewith Iericho was encompassed, in which also there were many Caves where they might lurk., lest the Pursuers meet you: and hide your selves there three days Not three whole days, but one whole day, and parts of two days: See on Iosh. 1. 11., until the Pursuers be returned, and afterward may ye go your way.

And the mensaid Or, had said; namely, before she let them down; it being very improbable, either that she would dismiss them before the Condition was expressed and agreed; or that she would discourse with them, or they with her, about such secret and weighty things after they were let down, when others might over-hear them; or that she should begin her discourse in her Chamber, and not finish it till they were gone out of her House. Obj. They spoke this after they were let down; for it follows, v. 18. this—thread—which thou didst let us down by. Ans. Those words may be thus rendred, which thou dost let us down by; i. e. art about to do it: it being frequent for the Preter Tense to be used of a thing about to be done, by an Enallage of Tenses, as Iosh. 10. 15. unto her, We will be blameless i. e. Free from guilt or reproach if it be violated, namely, if the following Condition be not observed. of this thine oath, which thou hast made us swear:

Behold, when we come into the land i. e. Over Iordan, and near the City., thou shalt binde this line of scarlet threed in the window That it may be easily discerned by our Soldiers., which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt † bring thy Father, and thy Mother, and thy Brethren, and all thy Fathers Houshold home unto thee.

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 The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon himself, as being occasioned by his own neglect or contempt of the means of safety., and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be upon our head We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and punishment of it., if any hand be upon him To wit, so as to kill him, as this Phrase is used, Esth. 6. 2. Iob 1. 12..

And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath, which thou hast made us to swear.

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window Forthwith, partly that the Spies might see it hung out before their departure, and so the better know it at some distance; partly lest some accident might occasion a mistake or neglect about it; and partly for her own comfort, it being pleasant and encouraging to her to have in her eye the pledg of her deliverance..

And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days Supporting themselves there with the Provisions which after the manner of those times and places they carried with them, which Rahab furnished them with., until the Pursuers were returned. And the Pursuers sought them throughout all the way i. e. In the Road to Iordan, and the places near it, but not in the Mountains., but found them not.

So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over To wit, Iordan unto Ioshua., and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him Him alone, not the people, as they did, Numb. 13. all things that befel them.

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD has delivered into our hand all the land: for even all the Inhabitants of the country do † faint because of us.