Joshua 2:15

_THEN SHE LET THEM DOWN BY A CORD THROUGH THE WINDOW: FOR HER HOUSE WAS UPON THE TOWN WALL, AND SHE DWELT UPON THE WALL._ Her house was upon the town wall. In many Oriental cities houses are built on the walls with overhanging windows; in others the town wall forms the back wall of the house, so that the window opens into the country. Rahab's was probably of this latter description, and the cord or rope sufficiently strong to bear the weight of a man....

8-21 Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often expressed by his kindness and truth, Psalms 117:2; in both these we must be followers of him. Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them. The spies make needful conditions. The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the passover, recalls to remembrance the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ; and that we are to flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a justly offended God. The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israe...

Verse Joshua 2:15. _THEN SHE LET THEM DOWN BY A CORD C._] The natural place of this verse is after the first clause of Joshua 2:21 for it is certain that she did not let them down in the basket till all those circumstances marked from Joshua 2:16-6 inclusive had taken place. _SHE DWELT UPON THE WALL._] That is, either the wall of the city made a part of her house or her house was built close to the wall, so that the top or battlements of it were above the wall with a window that looked out to the country. As the city gates were now shut there was no way for the spies to escape but through this window; and in order to this she let them down through the window in a basket suspended by a cord, till

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)....

EXPOSITION THE OATH OF THE SPIES.— JOSHUA 2:12 KINDNESS. The original is perhaps a little stronger, and involves usually the idea of mercy and pity. This, however, is not always the ease (see Genesis 21:23; 2 Samuel 10:2). "It had been an ill nature in Rahab if she had been content to be saved alone: that her love might be a match to her faith, she covenants for all her family, and so returns life to those of whom she received it," (Bp. Hall). A TRUE TOKEN. Literally, _a token of truth. _The construction is that in which the latter noun often stands in Hebr

THEN SHE LET THEM DOWN BY A CORD THROUGH THE WINDOW,.... Which must be large, and the cord strong, as well as she herself a masculine woman, to let down two men by it, unless she employed any of her servants in the affair; though this being so great a secrecy, it is probable she trusted none of her domestics with it as little as possible: in like manner the Apostle Paul was let down by the wall of Damascus in a basket, Acts 9:25; Jarchi supposes it was the same cord and window, by means of and in at which her gallants used to come and go: FOR HER HOUSE [WAS] UPON THE TOWN WALL; in a suitable and convenient place to receive her guests and gallants: and it is observed, that harlots have had their houses on or under walls: Martial speaks of harlots whom he calls l Summoenianae, whores that plied under the walls and in the suburbs of cities: and she dwelt upon the wa

2. THE SPIES AND RAHAB'S FAITH CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The spies sent forth (Joshua 2:1)_ 2. Rahab's faith and works (Joshua 2:2) 3. The escape of the spies and assurance given (Joshua 2:15) 4. The return of the spies (Joshua 2:22) The historical account needs not to be restated. Joshua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses, now sends two spies to view the land, even Jericho. Jericho was the great stronghold of the enemy, surrounded by high walls. Jericho means “fragrance” and is a type of the world. (It is interesting to note that in the Hebrew Jericho differs in its spelling in Joshua from that in Numbers. Th

II. TWO HEBREW SPIES VISIT JERICHO AND EVADE CAPTURE. The narrative is inconsistent with Joshua 1:11, Within three days ye are to pass over Jordan. The events in ch. 2 must have taken longer than three days, for Joshua 2:22 tells us that the spies abode three days in the mountains; and with one day to go and another to return, five days at least would be required. This is an indication that Joshua 2 and Joshua 1 are from different sources. And perhaps Joshua 2 itself is composite. The narrative reads consistently if Joshua 2:15 is omitted, for we can hardly think of the conversation being continued between Rahab at the window and the spies on the ground outside the wall. 1. SHITTIM:...

CORD. the rope. Compare Septuagint here with Acts 9:25, and 2 Corinthians 11:33. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:10. UPON THE TOWN WALL. [built] into the _homah;_ i.e. the outer or lower wall. UPON THE WALL. in the _kir; i._ e. the inner or higher wall....

Reception of the Spies by Rahab 9. _the Lord_ The name is remarkable as used by Rahab. But the Israelites had long been encamped in the neighbourhood, and she might easily have become acquainted with the name of their God. _your terror_ i.e. "the terror of you." The prophetic words of triumph in Moses" song were now fulfilled (Exodus 15:14-16; comp. also Deuteronomy 11:25). _faint_ Heb. MELT. "Oure hearte basshade, ne spirit bood in us at youre yncomynge," Wyclif. See Joshua 2:24....