Joshua 2:15

15 Then she ¹let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.

Joshua 2:15 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 2:15

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 ^F12 Summoenianae, whores that plied under the walls and in the suburbs of cities:

and she dwelt upon the wall;
that part of the house in which she particularly dwelt was built on or over the wall, and the rest towards the city was for the entertainment of persons that resorted to her house.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Epigram. l. 3. Ep. 62.

Joshua 2:15 In-Context

13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death."

14 And the men said to her, "Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you."

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.

16 And she said to them, "Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way."

17 The men said to her, "We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 19:12; Acts 9:25; 2 Corinthians 11:33