Yehoshua 2:15

15 Then she let them down by a chevel (cord, rope) through the chalon (window); for her bais was in the city wall, and she dwelt in the chomah (wall).

Yehoshua 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.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Epigram. l. 3. Ep. 62.

Yehoshua 2:15 In-Context

13 And that ye will save alive avi, and immi, and my ach and my achot, and all that they have, and deliver nafshoteinu (our lives, souls) from mavet (death).
14 And the anashim answered her, Nafsheinu (our soul) shall die for you, if ye utter not what we are doing. And it shall be, when Hashem hath given us HaAretz, that we will deal chesed v’emes with thee.
15 Then she let them down by a chevel (cord, rope) through the chalon (window); for her bais was in the city wall, and she dwelt in the chomah (wall).
16 And she said unto them, Get you to the hill country, lest the rodefim (pursuers) meet you; and hide yourselves there shloshet yamim, until the rodefim return; and afterward may ye go your way.
17 And the anashim said unto her, We will be nekiyyim (free ones) of this thine shevu’ah (oath) which thou hast made us swear,
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