Joshua 2:8-18

8 Before the spies settled down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof
9 and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land. Everyone in the country is terrified of you.
10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea in front of you when you were leaving Egypt. We have also heard how you killed Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. 1
11 We were afraid as soon as we heard about it; we have all lost our courage because of you. The Lord your God is God in heaven above and here on earth.
12 Now swear by him that you will treat my family as kindly as I have treated you, and give me some sign that I can trust you.
13 Promise me that you will save my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families! Don't let us be killed!"
14 The men said to her, "May God take our lives if we don't do as we say! [a] If you do not tell anyone what we have been doing, we promise you that when the Lord gives us this land, we will treat you well."
15 Rahab lived in a house built into the city wall, so she let the men down from the window by a rope.
16 "Go into the hill country," she said, "or the king's men will find you. Hide there for three days until they come back. After that, you can go on your way."
17 The men said to her, "We will keep the promise that you have made us give.
18 This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's family together in your house.

Joshua 2:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 2

This chapter gives an account of the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho, and of their entrance into the house of Rahab, who hid them from the king's messengers, Jos 2:1-7; of the relation she gave them of the fear and dread of Israel, which were fallen upon the Canaanites, Jos 2:8-11; and of the request she made to them, to save her and her father's house, when the city should be taken, and to have a sure sign of it given her, Jos 2:12,13; which the spies solemnly promised, and gave her a sign of it, with a charge not to discover the matter to any, Jos 2:14-20; and being let down by a cord through the window of her house, they made their escape to a mountain, where they lay three days, and then returned to Joshua, and made their report, Jos 2:21-24.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 2.10 aExodus 14.21; bNumbers 21.21-35.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. May God . . . say; [or] We will protect you if you protect us.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.