Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 2

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 harlots house, named Rahab, and † lodged h there.

Or, had sent, as that Tense is oft used: See on Iosh. 1. 11.

Called also Abel-shittim, Num. 33. 49.

Not twelve, as Moses did, partly because the people of Canaan were now more alarm'd than in Moses his time, and more suspicious of all strangers; and partly because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it.

i. e. To learn the state of the land and people, and what way and method they should proceed in. It is evident enough, That Ioshua did not this out of distrust, as the people did, Deut 1. and it is most probable, he had Gods Command and Direction in it for the encouragement of himself and his Army in their present Enterprize.

With reference not to his Enemies, which being the constant and necessary practice of all Spies, was needless to be mentioned; but to the Israelites, without their knowledg or desire. And this seems added by way of opposition unto the like Action, Deut 1. where it was done with the peoples privity, and upon their motion; and therefore an Account was given not only to Moses, but also to the Congregation; whereas here it was given to Ioshua only, v. 23. which was a good Caution to prevent the Inconveniency which possibly might have arisen, if their Report had been doubtful or discouraging.

i. e. The land about Iericho, together with the City. Heb. The land and Iericho, i. e. especially Iericho. So and is used, 2 Sam. 2. 30. 1 King. 11. 1. Psal. 18. 1. They obeyed Ioshua's Command, even with the hazard of their own lives, considering that they were under the protection of divine Providence, which could very easily many ways secure them; or being willing to sacrifice their lives in their Countreys service.

So the Hebrew word is used, Iudg. 11. 1. and 16. 1. 1 King. 3. 16. Ezek. 23. 44▪ and so it is rendred by two Apostles, Heb. 11. 31. Iam. 2. 25. such she either now was, or formerly had been; and such a persons house they might come to with less observation than to an Hostess, as some render it, or to a publick Victualling-House. And such a course of life was very common among the Gentiles, who esteemed Fornication to be either no sin, or a very small and trivial one. Or, lay down; as the same word is rendred, v. 8. intended and composed themselves to rest; but they were disturbed and hindred from their Intentions upon the following Discovery.

Marginal references: ‡ Heb. [illegible: 1 word]; Heb. 11. [illegible: 1+ letters] Jam. 2. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]; Matth. 1. [illegible: 1+ letters]; ‡ Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]

2 And it was told the King of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came in men hither to night , of the children of Israel, to search out the Country.

This evening, by comparing this with v. 5.

4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them , and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were :

Or, But the Woman had taken—and had hid them, to wit, before the Messengers came from the King; as soon as she understood from her Neighbours or common Rumor, 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, Heb. 11. 31. for she did apparently venture her life upon a stedfast perswasion of the Truth of Gods Word and Promise given to the Israelites.

Her Answer contained in these and the following words, was palpably false, and therefore unquestionably sinful; howsoever, her intention was good therein: See Rom. 3. 8. But it is very probable, she being an Heathen, might think, what some Christians have thought and said, That an officious Lie is not unlawful. Or at worst, this was her Infirmity, which was graciously pardoned by God, and her Faith was amply rewarded.

5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate , when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went, I wot not: pursue after them quickly, for ye shall overtake them.

Either of her house, or rather of the City which was shut at a certain time.

6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof .

Which was plain after the manner: See Deut. 22. 8. Mat. 10. 27. Act. 10. 9. Mark 2. 4.

That they may be dried by the heat of the Sun.

Marginal references: See 2 Sam. 17. 19.

7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the foords : and assoon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate .

Or passages, i. e. The usual places where people used to pass over Iordan, whether by Boats or Bridges; or rather, because of the shallowness of the River, which a little after this, swelled higher, as the History will tell us; and as it is very usual for Rivers to do.

Of the City, partly for their security against their approaching Enemies; and partly to prevent the escape of the Spies, if peradventure Rahab was mistaken, and they yet lurked in the City.

8 And before they were laid down , she came up unto them upon the roof,

To rest or sleep, as they intended, being now, after the departure of the Searchers come from their hiding-place to their resting place.

9 And she said unto the men , I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Qu. How could they understand one the other? Ans. 1. The Hebrew and the Canaan or Phoenician Languages have a very great resemblance, and are thought to be but differing Dialects of one and the same Tongue, as the learned prove by a multitude of words which are common to both of them. Or, 2. some of the Hebrews had either out of curiosity, or by Ioshua's order and direction, learnt that Language for this or other such like Occasions.

i. e. The dread of you: See Exod. 23. 27. and 34. 24. Deut. 11. 25. and 28. 7.

Marginal references: Gen. 35. 5.; Heb. melt.

11 And assoon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt , neither † did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

i. e. Was dissolved, lost all consistency and courage. This Phrase is oft used, as Deut. 1. 28. and 20. 8. Iosh. 5. 1. and 7. 5.

He can do whatsoever he pleaseth in Heaven and Earth; whereas our Gods are inclosed in Heaven, and can do nothing to us upon Earth.

Marginal references: Exod. 15. 14.; ‡ Heb. rose there up any more spirit in any man.; Chap. 5. 1.; Deut. 4. 39.

12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD , since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my fathers house ; and give me a true token :

By your God who is the only true God; so she shews her Conversion to God, and owns his Worship, one eminent Act whereof is swearing by his Name.

My near Kindred, which she particularly names, v. 13. Husband and Children it seems she had none. And for her self, it was needless to speak, it being a plain and undeniable Duty to save their Preserver.

Either an assurance that you will preserve me and mine from the common Ruine: or a Token which I may produce as a Witness of this agreement, and a mean of my security.

Marginal references: See 1 Tim▪ 5. 8.

13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have , and deliver our lives from death.

i. e. Their Children, as appears from Iosh. 6. 23.

14 And the men answered her, Our life † for yours , if ye utter not this our business . And it shall be when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

We pawn and will venture our lives for the security of yours. Or, may we perish, if you be not preserved.

i. e. This Agreement of ours, and the way and condition of it, lest others under this pretence, secure themselves. By which they shew both their Piety and Prudence in managing their Oath with so much Circumspection and Caution, that neither their own Consciences might be ensnared, nor the publick Justice obstructed.

Marginal references: ‡ Heb. instead of you to die.; Judg. 1. 24.

15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the Townwall , and she dwelt upon the wall .

Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing them when the gates were shut.

Her particular dwelling was there: which may possibly be added, because the other part of her House was reserved for the entertainment of Strangers.

16 And she said unto them, Get ye to the mountain , lest the Pursuers meet you: and hide your selves there three days , until the Pursuers be returned, and afterward may ye go your way.

i. e. To some of the Mountains wherewith Iericho was encompassed, in which also there were many Caves where they might lurk.

Not three whole days, but one whole day, and parts of two days: See on Iosh. 1. 11.

17 And the mensaid unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath, which thou hast made us swear:

Or, had said; namely, before she let them down; it being very improbable, either that she would dismiss them before the Condition was expressed and agreed; 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 over-hear them; or that she should begin her discourse in her Chamber, and not finish it till they were gone out of her House. Obj. They spoke this after they were let down; for it follows, v. 18. this—thread—which thou didst let us down by. Ans. Those words may be thus rendred, which thou dost let us down by; i. e. art about to do it: it being frequent for the Preter Tense to be used of a thing about to be done, by an Enallage of Tenses, as Iosh. 10. 15.

i. e. Free from guilt or reproach if it be violated, namely, if the following Condition be not observed.

18 Behold, when we come into the land , thou shalt binde this line of scarlet threed in the window , which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt † bring thy Father, and thy Mother, and thy Brethren, and all thy Fathers Houshold home unto thee.

i. e. Over Iordan, and near the City.

That it may be easily discerned by our Soldiers.

Marginal references: ‡ Heb. gather.

19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head , and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be upon our head , if any hand be upon him .

The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon himself, as being occasioned by his own neglect or contempt of the means of safety.

We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and punishment of it.

To wit, so as to kill him, as this Phrase is used, Esth. 6. 2. Iob 1. 12.

21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line 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 mistake or neglect about it; and partly for her own comfort, it being pleasant and encouraging to her to have in her eye the pledg of her deliverance.

22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days , until the Pursuers were returned. And the Pursuers sought them throughout all the way , but found them not.

Supporting themselves there with the Provisions which after the manner of those times and places they carried with them, which Rahab furnished them with.

i. e. In the Road to Iordan, and the places near it, but not in the Mountains.

23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over , and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befel them.

To wit, Iordan unto Ioshua.

Him alone, not the people, as they did, Numb. 13.