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 harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house

of Rahab.

Reflection

Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must

have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure./

📚Read Complete Commentary

Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab appears to

have been an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad life, which is doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us most accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve great ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, James 2:25; and she did it by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man. Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God; they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not for lucre or for any evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure./

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (26 words)

H7971 שָׁלַח
Definition:

18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?) 18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?)

H3091 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
Definition:

21; onיֵשׁוּעַsee especially FräVOJ iv. 1890, 332 f.MüllSK 1892, 177 f.who cite analogue for change ofוֹto laterֵ֯, & Nesl.c.) —1Moses' successor, son of Nun, (ᵐ5Ἰησοῦς)יְהוֺשׁוּעַDeuteronomy 3:21;Jud 21; onיֵשׁוּעַsee especially FräVOJ iv. 1890, 332 f.MüllSK 1892, 177 f.who cite analogue for change ofוֹto laterֵ֯, & Nesl.c.) —1Moses' successor, son of Nun, (ᵐ5Ἰησοῦς)יְהוֺשׁוּעַDeuteronomy 3:21;Jud

Possible Meanings:
  • is salvation (semantic_range)
  • is opulence (semantic_range)
H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H5126 נוּן
Definition:

27)נוֺןproper name, masculinefather of Joshua1 Chronicles 7:27; elsewhere always(יְהוֺשֻׁעַ)בִּןנֿוּןExodus 33:11;Numbers 11:28;Numbers 13:8,16 22t. Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua (J E D P); alsoJudges 27)נוֺןproper name, masculinefather of Joshua1 Chronicles 7:27; elsewhere always(יְהוֺשֻׁעַ)בִּןנֿוּןExodus 33:11;Numbers 11:28;Numbers 13:8,16 22t. Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua (J E D P); alsoJudges

Possible Meanings:
  • propagate (semantic_range)
  • increase (semantic_range)
  • have increase (semantic_range)
  • be propagated (semantic_range)
  • spread (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H7851 שִׁטִּים
Definition:

1East of Jordan,Joshua 2:1;Joshua 3:1(E),Micah 6:5;Numbers 25:1(P); =׳אָבֵל הַשּׁNumbers 33:49; on exact site see BuhlG 116GrayNumbers 25:1.2׳נַחַל הַשּׁJoel 4:18 (perhapsWady es-San‰, west of Jerusal 1East of Jordan,Joshua 2:1;Joshua 3:1(E),Micah 6:5;Numbers 25:1(P); =׳אָבֵל הַשּׁNumbers 33:49; on exact site see BuhlG 116GrayNumbers 25:1.2׳נַחַל הַשּׁJoel 4:18 (perhapsWady es-San‰, west of Jerusal

H8147 שְׁנַיִם
Definition:

768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת 768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת

H0376 אִישׁ
Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:
  • man (semantic_range)
H7270 רָגַל
Definition:

3,he talks no slander upon his tongue(""דֹּבֵר אֱמֶתPsalm 15:2).Pi`elImperfect3masculine singularוַיְרַגֵּל2 Samuel 19:28, 3masculine pluralוַיְרַגְּלוּDeuteronomy 1:24;Joshua 7:2;Imperativemasculine 3,he talks no slander upon his tongue(""דֹּבֵר אֱמֶתPsalm 15:2).Pi`elImperfect3masculine singularוַיְרַגֵּל2 Samuel 19:28, 3masculine pluralוַיְרַגְּלוּDeuteronomy 1:24;Joshua 7:2;Imperativemasculine

Possible Meanings:
  • foot (semantic_range)
H2791 חֶרֶשׁ
Definition:

Fromcharash; magical craft; also silence -- cunning, secretly.see HEBREWcharashBrown-Driver-BriggsI.חֶ֫רֶשׁnoun [masculine]asadverbsilently, secretly—׳מְרַגְּלִים חJoshua 2:1(JE)exploring secretly.III Fromcharash; magical craft; also silence -- cunning, secretly.see HEBREWcharashBrown-Driver-BriggsI.חֶ֫רֶשׁnoun [masculine]asadverbsilently, secretly—׳מְרַגְּלִים חJoshua 2:1(JE)exploring secretly.III

Possible Meanings:
  • magic art (semantic_range)
  • magic drug (semantic_range)
  • skilled in magic arts (semantic_range)
  • drugs (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3212 יָלַךְ
Definition:

A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing), A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing),

H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3405 יְרִיחוֹ
Definition:

1;Jeremiah 39:5KöEinl. 49; √ and meaning dubious; according to Thes and others fromרָוַח, =regio fragrans, the district abounding in palms, rose-gardens, balsam, etc.); —יְרִיחוֺJoshua 2:127t. Joshua. 1;Jeremiah 39:5KöEinl. 49; √ and meaning dubious; according to Thes and others fromרָוַח, =regio fragrans, the district abounding in palms, rose-gardens, balsam, etc.); —יְרִיחוֺJoshua 2:127t. Joshua.

Possible Meanings:
  • Jericho (semantic_range)
H3212 יָלַךְ
Definition:

A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing), A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing),

H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H1004 בּיִת
Definition:

12house(Phoenicianבת, MIבת, suffixביתה, Arabic, Aramaicבַּיְתָא,Assyrianbîtu, COTGloss, Sabeanבית,בת,fortressDHMZMG 1883, 387;templeHal257DHMZMG 1876, 697, EthiopicPalmyrene inבת עלמא,בת מקברתאsepulch 12house(Phoenicianבת, MIבת, suffixביתה, Arabic, Aramaicבַּיְתָא,Assyrianbîtu, COTGloss, Sabeanבית,בת,fortressDHMZMG 1883, 387;templeHal257DHMZMG 1876, 697, EthiopicPalmyrene inבת עלמא,בת מקברתאsepulch

Possible Meanings:
  • lodge (semantic_range)
  • pass the night (semantic_range)
H0802 אִשָּׁה
Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:
  • an offering made by fire (semantic_range)
H2181 זָנָה
Definition:

16,זָָֽנְתָהGenesis 38:343t., etc.;Imperfectיִזְנֶ֯ה(Kt)Ezekiel 23:43;תִּזְנֶהLeviticus 19:294t.;וַתִּ֫זֶןJeremiah 3:8;Ezekiel 23:5;תִּזְנִיHosea 3:3;וַתִּזְנִיJeremiah 3:6(but read probablyוַתִּזְנִי 16,זָָֽנְתָהGenesis 38:343t., etc.;Imperfectיִזְנֶ֯ה(Kt)Ezekiel 23:43;תִּזְנֶהLeviticus 19:294t.;וַתִּ֫זֶןJeremiah 3:8;Ezekiel 23:5;תִּזְנִיHosea 3:3;וַתִּזְנִיJeremiah 3:6(but read probablyוַתִּזְנִי

Possible Meanings:
  • commit fornication (semantic_range)
  • be a harlot (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • act as a harlot (semantic_range)
  • of improper intercourse with foreign nations (semantic_range)
H8034 שֵׁם
Definition:

9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz 9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz

H7343 רָחָב
Definition:

1,3;Joshua 6:17,23,25 (all J E);Ρααβ(so Hebrews 3:11; James 2:25, but Matthew 1:5Ραχαβ).Topical LexiconPerson and SettingRahab first appears in the conquest narrative when Joshua dispatches two spies 1,3;Joshua 6:17,23,25 (all J E);Ρααβ(so Hebrews 3:11; James 2:25, but Matthew 1:5Ραχαβ).Topical LexiconPerson and SettingRahab first appears in the conquest narrative when Joshua dispatches two spies

Possible Meanings:
  • wide (semantic_range)
  • broad (semantic_range)
H7901 שָׁכַב
Definition:

23 (in death),משכבbedEcclesiasticus 40:5; Ecclesiasticus 47:20d, =death bedEcclesiasticus 46:19; Phoenicianשכב,משכב(see׳מ1below), Lzb375; Ethiopiclie, Aramaicשְׁכַב,; Nabataeanמשכבאcouch; Arabiconlypo 23 (in death),משכבbedEcclesiasticus 40:5; Ecclesiasticus 47:20d, =death bedEcclesiasticus 46:19; Phoenicianשכב,משכב(see׳מ1below), Lzb375; Ethiopiclie, Aramaicשְׁכַב,; Nabataeanמשכבאcouch; Arabiconlypo

Possible Meanings:
  • lie down (semantic_range)
  • lie down (semantic_range)
  • lodge (semantic_range)
  • lie down (semantic_range)
H8033 שָׁם
Definition:

8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם 8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם

Possible Meanings:
  • name (semantic_range)

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