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Joshua 2

Joshua 2:7

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

Modern
So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.
Traditional
And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Literal
And the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan to the fords, and they shut the gate afterward, when those who pursued them had gone out.
Latin
Hi autem, qui missi fuerant, secuti sunt eos per viam, quæ ducit ad vadum Jordanis: illisque egressis statim porta clausa est.

Original

Hebrew
English
So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.

Notes

Joshua 2:7

Medium-sized towns such as Jericho had one main gate made of two very large wooden doors reinforced with bronze. The gate was barred for the night and opened again in the morning.

The authorities took a sensible precaution by shutting the gate immediately after the pursuers left. If the spies had not left the city, as Rahab said, the authorities might still find them in Jericho during the night.

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

Places

Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Conquest and Allotment of the Land Fords of the Jordan Jericho Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Numbers, Book of Prostitute, Prostitution Rahab (Person) Tribe of Dan

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks of Jericho Gates: Closed at Night Hospitality: Rahab to the Spies Jordan: Fords of Kindness: Rahab to the Spies Reconnoissance of Jericho Rivers: Many, Fordable in some Places the River Jordan: Fordable in some Places