Joshua 2

Joshua 2:1

Sitim] In the plains of Moab, neer Jordan, where the Israelites now encamped, Numbers 33:49.

spie secretly] Hebr. silently; 1: e. to spie out the land with as much silence and secrecy as they could; and that both in respect of the Israelites, that they might not again be discouraged, as before, with rumours, Numbers 13:28. 32. and in respect of the people of the land, that they might not discover and apprehend them.

even Jericho]ie. And chiefly Jericho, as being in the confines of the countrey; situated an hundred and fifty stadia from Hirusalem, and sixty from Jordan: a place very fruitfull, and abounding with palm-trees; and therefore called, The city of palms, Deuteronomy 34:3. Judges 1:16. 2 Chronicles 28:15.

an harlots house] The Hebrew word may signifie an inne-keeper; but she might be both; for she is plainly called an harlot, Hebrews 11:31. James 2:25. to whom Gods providence directed them, for the preservation of her and her kinred, and for the confirmation of the spies and Israelites in assurance of conquest; as Gideon was by telling of the dream, Jud. 7. 13. 15.

Joshua 2:4

hid them] Hebr. hid him;ie. each of them apart; to wit, as soon as she knew that they were discovered to the king.

but I wist not] This (as some think) was not a lye, but the concealing of a truth not necessarily to be discovered: for being an inne-keeper, it may be others lodged in her house that night, and were gone, of whom she speaketh in truth, and concealeth these spies in faith and charity; as it is Hebrews 11:31. But if it were a lye, or aequivocation, her example is no precedent, being a new convert whose faith God accepted, and pardoned her sin. So Exodus 1:19.

Joshua 2:5

of the gate] to wit, of the city.

Joshua 2:6

roof] Which in those countreys used to be flat, like a terrate or leads.

Joshua 2:7

foords] 1: e. The ferries, or places of ordinary passage.

sht the gate] 1: e. The gate of the city, that if the spies were within, they might not get out and escape.

Joshua 2:9

I know] I am perswaded in the assurance of faith, grounded on Gods promises to his people, and his miraculous favours towards them, and because I see that the hearts of my people sink and faint, &c.

terrour] An Hebraisme: 1: e. in that we are terrified because of you, in regard of your neer approach and power: and this God had promised, Deuteronomy 28:7. and Deuteronomy 5:1.

Joshua 2:11

did melt] An Hebraisme; 1: e. were dissolved with fear, so that we quite lost all our valour and courage. The like phrases are used, Joshua 5:1. and Joshua 7:5. Deuteronomy 1:28. and Deuteronomy 20:8. Isaiah 13:1.

Joshua 2:12

fathers house] 1: e. My kinred and alli. s. See Chap. 6. 23. 25. so vers. 13.

a tr token] to wit, That you will inviolably keep covenant with me.

Joshua 2:14

Our life for yours] 1: e. We warrant thee, on the penalty of our own lives; or, We will preserve thy life, and the life of thy kinred, though it be with the hazard or losse of ours.

ye] that is, you, or any of yours.

Joshua 2:17

thine oath] 1: e. Of the oath which thou hast made us take, namely, on these two conditions; first, That none of thine be out of thy house: secondly, That none reveal our businesse.

Joshua 2:19

his blood] he shal be guilty of his own death, because he stayed not in the place of safety appointed unto him, as Num. 35. 26, 27. Matthew 27:25.

on our head] 1: e. We will answer it before God and men, as being guilty of his death.

Joshua 2:22

the way] 1: e. between Jericho and Jordan.

Joshua 2:23

passed over] to wit, Jordan.

Joshua 2:24

hath delivered] They speak of that which was to do, as done already, to expresse the certainty of their hope.