_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._
Joshua sends spies to Jericho, Joshua 2:1. Rahab receives and conceals
them, Joshua 2:2. Her agreement with them for the safety of herself
and family, Joshua 2:8. The return of the spies, and the account given
by them, Joshua 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joshua sent_ Or, _had sent_, before the directions mentioned in
the preceding chapter (Joshua 2:10,) were given to the officers. This
best agrees with Jos 2:22 of this chapter, and the rest of the
narrative. _Two men_ Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to
view the whole land, these bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_To-night_ This evening. Probably Israel had but one friend in all
Jericho, and God directed them to her! Thus, what seems to be most
accidental is often overruled to serve the great ends of Providence.
And those that acknowledge God in their ways, he will guide them with
his eye.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the woman_ Or, _But the woman; had taken and hid them _ Before
the messengers came from the king; as soon as she understood from her
neighbours that there was a suspicion of the matter, and guessed that
search would be made. And this is justly mentioned as a great and
generous act of faith, (He... [ Continue Reading ]
_Up to the roof_ In those countries the roofs of the houses were made
quite flat, and it is probable it might be customary to lay the stalks
of flax upon them that they might be dried by the heat of the sun.
_Fords_ Or, _passages;_ that is, the places where people used to pass
over Jordan, whether b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before they were laid down_ To sleep, as they intended. _She came up
unto them_ Having got clear of the officers, to the _roof of the
house_, where they lay hid. Here she informs them, 1st, That the
report of the great things God had done for them had reached Jericho.
Not only that they had had an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Swear unto me by the Lord_ Hebrew, by _Jehovah_, your God, who is the
only true God: so she owns his worship, one eminent act whereof is,
swearing by his name. _My father's house_ My near kindred, which she
particularly names, (Joshua 2:13,) husband and children, it seems, she
had none. And for her... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our life for yours_ We will venture our lives for the security of
yours. _Our business_ That is, this agreement of ours, and the
condition of it, lest others, under this pretence, should secure
themselves. By which they show both their piety and prudence in
managing their oath with so much circumsp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her house was upon the town-wall_ Which gave her the opportunity of
dismissing them when the gates were shut. _She dwelt upon the wall_
Her particular dwelling was there; which may possibly be added,
because the other part of her house was reserved for the entertainment
of strangers. _Get you to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men said_ Or, _had said;_ namely, before she let them down; it
being very improbable either that she would dismiss them before the
condition was agreed on, or that she would discourse with them, or
they with her, about such secret and weighty things after they were
let down, when others might o... [ Continue Reading ]
_When we come into the land_ That is, over Jordan, and near the city.
_This line of scarlet_ The Hebrew word, תקות, _tickvath_, more
properly means, _rope, riband_, or _web._ Probably the same with which
she was about to let them down. _Window_ That it may be easily
discerned by our soldiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon his head_ The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon himself,
as being occasioned by his own neglect of the means of safety. _Our
head_ We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and punishment of it.
_If any hand be upon him_ So as to kill him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the window_ Forthwith, partly that the spies might see it hung out
before their departure, and so the better know it at some distance;
partly lest some accident might occasion a neglect about it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three days_ Supporting themselves there with the provisions which
Rahab had furnished them with. _The way_ That is, in the road to
Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains. _Passed
over_ Jordan unto Joshua.... [ Continue Reading ]