“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. sent: or, had sent lodged: Heb. lay”
Or, taverner’s house, or hostess. Cross references: : Heb. 11:31 ; James 2:25 Which place was in the plain of Moab near unto Jordan.
“And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.”
Though the wicked see the hand of God upon them, yet they repent not, but seek how they may by their power and policy resist his working.
“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.”
Meaning, upon the house: for then their houses were flat above, so that they might do their business thereupon.
“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. faint: Heb. melt”
For so God promised, Deut. 28:7 ; Josh. 5:1 .
“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.”
Num. 21:24 Exod. 14:21 , 22 Josh. 4:23
“And as soon 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 earth beneath. did there: Heb. rose up”
Or, spirit. Herein appeareth the great mercy of God, that in this common destruction he would draw a most miserable sinner to repent, and confess his Name. Or, melted.
“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. for: Heb. instead of you to die”
We warrant you on pain of our lives.
“And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.”
We shall be discharged of our oath if thou dost perform this condition that followeth: for so shalt thou and thine be delivered.
“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 on our head, if any hand be upon him.”
He shall be guilty of his own death.
“And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.”
So that others should think to escape by the same means.