Joshua 2:8-24

The Promise to Rahab

8 Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof

9 and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that dread of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you.^[a]

10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt,^[b] and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed^[c] across the Jordan.

11 When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone's courage failed^[d] because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

12 Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you.^[e] Give me a sure sign^[f]

13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death."

14 The men answered her, "[We will give] our lives for yours. If you don't report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the Lord gives us the land."

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, since she lived in a house that was [built] into the wall of the city.

16 "Go to the hill country so that the men pursuing you won't find you," she said to them. "Hide yourselves there for three days until they return; afterwards, go on your way."

17 The men said to her, "We will be free from this oath you made us swear,

18 unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father's family into your house.

19 If anyone goes out the doors of your house, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed,^[g] his blood will be on our heads.

20 And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear."

21 "Let it be as you say," she replied, and she sent them away. After they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord to the window.

22 So the two men went into the hill country and stayed there three days until the pursuers had returned. They searched all along the way, but did not find them.

23 Then the men returned, came down from the hill country, and crossed [the Jordan]. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them.

24 They told Joshua, "The Lord has handed over the entire land to us. Everyone who lives in the land is also panicking because of us."^[h]

Joshua 2:8-24 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or land panics at your approach
• [b]. Ex 14:21-30
• [c]. Nm 21:23-30, 33-35; Dt 2:32-34; 3:1-3
• [d]. Lit and spirit no longer remained in anyone
• [e]. Lit to your father's house
• [f]. Or a sign of truth
• [g]. Lit if a hand should be on him
• [h]. Or also panics at our approach