Bible Commentaries
Joshua 2

Verse 1

Joshua. He had been one of the twelve spies himself. Numbers 13:8 , Numbers 13:16 .

sent = had sent. See Joshua 1:11 . Compare Joshua 1:2 .

men. Hebrew, plural of ish or enosh. See App-14 .

view, Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and view".

Jericho. In Num. eleven times Yerecho. Here Yericho. Showing difference of authorship.

came. The Septuagint preserves the primitive text by adding "to Jericho and came". Omitted by Figure of speech Homuotelenton. See App-6 .

harlot's. Word to be taken in usual sense.

Rahab. See Matthew 1:5 .Hebrews 11:31 .James 2:25 .

Verse 2

Behold. Figure of speech Asteriemos. App-6 .

children = sons.

Verse 3

all. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, omit "all".

Verse 4

wist not. Anglo-Saxon for "knew not". It is this record that is inspired, not the act and words of Rahab.

Verse 5

whither. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "and whither".

wot . Anglo-Saxon "know".

Verse 6

stalks of flax. Hebrew = flax of stalks. Figure of speech Hypallage, App-6 . Flax now ripe: just before the Passover. Compare Exodus 9:31 with Joshua 4:19 ; Joshua 5:10 .

Verse 9

I know. Faith's conclusion, from what she had heard, verses: Joshua 2:11 , Joshua 2:12 . Corresponds with Sarah's "she judged" in Hebrews 11:11 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

faint. Hebrew = have melted. Compare Joshua 2:11 .

Verse 10

heard . This is the "ground" (Hebrews 11:1 ,) of faith, Compare Romans 10:17 .

dried up. Compare Exodus 14:21 .

other side. This written in the Land. Compare Numbers 21:31 .

Verse 11

melt. Compare Exodus 15:14 , Exodus 15:15 . Prophecy fulfilled.

remain. Hebrew = rise up.

courage. Hebrew. ruach , spirit. See App-9 .

any man. Hebrew. ish . See App-14 ,

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 12

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) here and Joshua 2:13 , showing the earnestness of the appeal.

Verse 13

lives. Hebrew "souls". See App-13 .

Verse 14

ye. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Vulgate, read "thou".

kindly and truly = in lovingkindness and faithfulness. Perhaps Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ), "in true loving-kindness".

Verse 15

cord = the rope. Compare Septuagint here with Acts 9:25 , and 2 Corinthians 11:33 . Compare 1 Corinthians 11:10 .

upon the town wall = [built] into the homah; i.e. the outer or lower wall.

upon the wall = in the kir; i. e. the inner or higher wall.

Verse 18

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

line. Hebrew "hope", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the line which was the token of it.

by = through: referring to the window. Compare o. 21.

bring = gather.

home = unto the hour. The "line" was outside, for Joshua to see; not for the inmates. Compare Exodus 12:13 ,

When I see, &c. So the ground of our assurance is not experience within, but the token without.