_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ Joshua sends spies to Jericho, Joshua 2:1. Rahab receives and conceals them, Joshua 2:2. Her agreement with them for the safety of herself and family, Joshua 2:8. The return of the spies, and the account given by them, Joshua 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joshua sent_ Or, _had sent_, before the directions mentioned in the preceding chapter (Joshua 2:10,) were given to the officers. This best agrees with Jos 2:22 of this chapter, and the rest of the narrative. _Two men_ Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to view the whole land, these bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_To-night_ This evening. Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho, and God directed them to her! Thus, what seems to be most accidental is often overruled to serve the great ends of Providence. And those that acknowledge God in their ways, he will guide them with his eye.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the woman_ Or, _But the woman; had taken and hid them _ Before the messengers came from the king; as soon as she understood from her neighbours 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, (He... [ Continue Reading ]
_Up to the roof_ In those countries the roofs of the houses were made quite flat, and it is probable it might be customary to lay the stalks of flax upon them that they might be dried by the heat of the sun. _Fords_ Or, _passages;_ that is, the places where people used to pass over Jordan, whether b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before they were laid down_ To sleep, as they intended. _She came up unto them_ Having got clear of the officers, to the _roof of the house_, where they lay hid. Here she informs them, 1st, That the report of the great things God had done for them had reached Jericho. Not only that they had had an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Swear unto me by the Lord_ Hebrew, by _Jehovah_, your God, who is the only true God: so she owns his worship, one eminent act whereof is, swearing by his name. _My father's house_ My near kindred, which she particularly names, (Joshua 2:13,) husband and children, it seems, she had none. And for her... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our life for yours_ We will venture our lives for the security of yours. _Our business_ That is, this agreement of ours, and the condition of it, lest others, under this pretence, should secure themselves. By which they show both their piety and prudence in managing their oath with so much circumsp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her house was upon the town-wall_ Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing them when the gates were shut. _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. _Get you to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men said_ Or, _had said;_ namely, before she let them down; it being very improbable either that she would dismiss them before the condition was agreed on, 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 o... [ Continue Reading ]
_When we come into the land_ That is, over Jordan, and near the city. _This line of scarlet_ The Hebrew word, תקות, _tickvath_, more properly means, _rope, riband_, or _web._ Probably the same with which she was about to let them down. _Window_ That it may be easily discerned by our soldiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon his head_ The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon himself, as being occasioned by his own neglect of the means of safety. _Our head_ We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and punishment of it. _If any hand be upon him_ So as to kill him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 neglect about it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three days_ Supporting themselves there with the provisions which Rahab had furnished them with. _The way_ That is, in the road to Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains. _Passed over_ Jordan unto Joshua.... [ Continue Reading ]