SHITTIM] i.e. 'Acacias.' The district referred to is the part of the Jordan basin opposite Jericho, where acacias still are found. AN HARLOT'S] 'We know nothing of her after-conduct, but we may well believe that the faith which an apostle could praise (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25) was accompanied by a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TWO SPIES AT JERICHO Joshua himself had been one of twelve sent by Moses on a similar errand, some thirty-eight years before (Numbers 13). The incident, natural in itself, acquires a special interest as bringing before us for the first time Rahab, the great-great-grandmother of David, and so hum... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE HAD BROUGHT THEM, etc.] Then, as now, the flat roofs of Eastern houses were used for such purposes as drying flax stalks. The flax would be ripe (cp. Exodus 9:31) shortly before wheat harvest.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FORDS] Clearly, therefore, there were fords in the neighbourhood of Jericho. The account of the miraculous crossing in Joshua 3:4 cannot be based on ignorance of that fact. At the present time fords are said to be comparatively rare in the southern reaches of Jordan.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR TERROR IS FALLEN UPON US] Cp. Exodus 15:14. Compare Joshua 5:1 for a similar panic produced by the crossing of Jordan. 10F. Rahab had followed the career of Israel with fascinated interest. She is represented as knowing and using the covenant name of 'Jehovah' and as recognising His universal... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOUNTAIN] the limestone ridges full of caves, NW. of Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
DO FAINT] RV here (and in Joshua 2:9 and Exodus 15:15) 'do melt away.'... [ Continue Reading ]