AN HARLOT’S HOUSE - In the face of the parallel passages (e. g. Leviticus 21:7 : Jeremiah 5:7) the rendering advocated for obvious reasons, namely, “the house of a woman, an innkeeper,” cannot be maintained. Rahab must remain an example under the Law similar to that Luke 7:37 under the Gospel, of “a... [ Continue Reading ]
I WIST NOT WHENCE THEY WERE - Rahab acted as she did from the belief in God’s declared word, and conviction that resistance to His will would be both vain and wicked Joshua 2:9. Thus, she manifested a faith both sound and practical, and is praised accordingly Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25. The falsehood... [ Continue Reading ]
STALKS OF FLAX - literally, “the carded fibres of the tree.” The flax in Palestine grew to more than three feet in height, with a stalk as thick as a cane. It was probably with the flax stalks, recently cut (compare Exodus 9:31, note) and laid out on the house roof to dry, that Rahab hid the spies.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sense is, that “they pursued along the way which leads to Jordan and across the fords;” probably those described in Judges 3:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS GOD - From the rumour of God’s miraculous interpositions Rahab believed, and makes the self-same confession to which Moses endeavors to bring Israel by rehearsing similar arguments Deuteronomy 4:39. Rahab had only heard of what Israel had experienced. Her faith then was read... [ Continue Reading ]
A TRUE TOKEN - literally, “a sign” or “pledge of truth; “something to bind them to keep their promise faithfully. The “token” was the oath which the spies take Joshua 2:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR LIFE FOR YOURS - See the margin. This is (see Joshua 2:17) a form of oath, in which God is in effect invoked to punish them with death if they did not perform their promise to save Rahab’s life. Compare the more common form of oath, 1 Samuel 1:26, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THE TOWN WALL - The town wall probably formed the back wall of the house, and the window opened therefore into the country. (Compare Paul’s escape, 2 Corinthians 11:33).... [ Continue Reading ]
The “line” or cord was spun of threads dyed with cochineal: i. e., of a deep and bright scarlet color. The color would catch the eye at once, and supplied an obvious token by which the house of Rahab might be distinguished. The use of scarlet in the Levitical rites, especially in those more closely... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE MOUNTAIN - Probably the mountains to the west and north of Jericho, called afterward, from the belief that the 40 days of our Lord’s temptation were passed among them, the Quarantania. The spies avoided at the first the neighhourhood of the Jordan, where the pursuers sought them: and amidst... [ Continue Reading ]