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Joshua 2

Joshua 2:1

Rahab Welcomes the Spies · Joshua 2:1–7
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Translations

Modern
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
Traditional
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Literal
And Joshua son of Nun sent out from Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, “Go, see the land, and especially Jericho.” And they went, and came to the house of a woman, a prostitute, and her name was Rahab, and they lay down there.
Latin
Misit igitur Josue filius Nun de Setim duos viros exploratores in abscondito: et dixit eis: Ite, et considerate terram, urbemque Jericho. Qui pergentes ingressi sunt domum mulieris meretricis, nomine Rahab, et quieverunt apud eam.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

Notes

Joshua 2:1

  • Shittim was about 13 kilometers (8 miles) east of the Jordan River on the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (see Numbers 25:1).

  • the house of a prostitute: In the house of a prostitute, strangers could avoid attention they did not want. According to tradition, Rahab was an innkeeper as well as a prostitute (Josephus, Antiquities 5.1.2). Other evidence from the ancient Near East suggests that women who owned and operated inns were often prostitutes.

Joshua 2:1–24

  • Like any good military commander, Joshua sent out spies or scouts to get information about his objective.

  • Because Israel planned to approach Canaan from the east, they could not avoid Jericho.

Theme notes and profiles

Rahab Intermarriage and Divorce

Events

Parallels

Hebrews 11:30–31

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Nun: Father of Joshua Rahab: A Canaanite woman who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel Shittim: The last Israelite campsite before crossing the Jordan

Glossary

Conquest and Allotment of the Land Inn Jericho Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Numbers, Book of Rahab (Person) Shittim (Place) Tribe of Dan Warfare

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks of Jericho Hospitality: Rahab to the Spies Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Rahab the Harlot Lived In Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Leads the People Into the Land of Canaan Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Two Spies Sent to Jericho Rahab: (A Woman of Jericho): Assists the Spies of the Israelites Reconnoissance of Jericho Shittim: Also Called Abel-Shittim: Joshua Sends Spies From Spies: Sent to Investigate: Jericho Treachery of Rahab to Her People Treason of Rahab Against Jericho Vigilance: King of Jericho Women: Rahab, in Her Harlotry