Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 2:1

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]