Joshua 2:15-24

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.

16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us

18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them.

20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them.

23 Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them.

24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

Joshua 2:15-24 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 38:6,11
• 2. ver 18,21; Genesis 26:8; Judges 5:28; 1 Samuel 19:12; Acts 9:25
• 3. S Genesis 14:10
• 4. S ver 7
• 5. ver 22; James 2:25
• 6. S Hebrews 11:31
• 7. S Genesis 24:8
• 8. ver 21
• 9. S ver 15
• 10. S ver 13; ver 12; Joshua 6:23
• 11. S Leviticus 20:9; Ezekiel 33:4
• 12. Matthew 27:25
• 13. S Genesis 24:8; S Genesis 47:31
• 14. ver 18
• 15. S ver 15
• 16. ver 16
• 17. S ver 7
• 18. Joshua 10:8; Joshua 11:6; Judges 3:28; Judges 7:9,14; Judges 20:28; 1 Samuel 14:10; ver 9; Joshua 6:2
• 19. S Exodus 15:15