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Joshua 2
Joshua 2:1
Nun
This is Joshua's father. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Shittim
This is the name of a place on the east side of the Jordan River. It means "Acacia Trees." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
as spies
These men were to visit the land to gain information on how Israel should conquer the land.
Joshua 2:2
General Information:
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Joshua 2:3
General Information:
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Joshua 2:4
General Information:
Rahab the prostitute protects the two Israelite spies from harm.
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them
This happened before the king's messenger spoke to her.
the woman
This refers to Rahab, the prostitute.
Joshua 2:5
dusk
This is the time that day begins to change to the darkness of night.
Joshua 2:6
But she had taken them ... on the roof
This is background information and explains how she had hidden the men in Joshua 2:4. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
the roof
The roof was flat and strong, so people could walk around on it.
flax
a plant that is grown for its fibers, which is used in making cloth
Joshua 2:7
the men pursued them
The men pursued the spies because of what Rahab had told them in Joshua 2:5.
fords
places where a river or other body of water is shallow enough for people to get to the other side by walking through it
Joshua 2:8
not yet lain down
This refers to going to sleep for the night. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Joshua 2:9
I know that Yahweh has given you the land
The word "you" refers to the all the Israelite people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
fear of you has come upon us
Becoming afraid is spoken of as if feat came and attacked them. Alternate translation: "we have become afraid of you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
will melt away before you
This compares the fearful people to ice melting and flowing away. Possible meanings are 1) they will be weak in the Israelites' presence or 2) they will be scattered. Alternate translation: "will be so afraid that they will not resist you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Joshua 2:10
General Information:
Rahab continues to talk to the Israelite spies.
the Sea of Reeds
This is another name for the Red Sea.
Sihon ... Og
These are the names of the Amorite kings. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Joshua 2:11
our hearts melted and there was no courage left in anyone
These two phrases share similar meanings, combined for emphasis. The phrase "our hearts melted" compares the hearts of the fearful people of Jericho to ice melting and flowing away. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Joshua 2:12
General Information:
Rahab continues to talk to the Israelite spies.
please swear to me ... Give me a sure sign
These are similar statements of Rahab seeking assurance from the spies. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
I have been kind to you
The word "you" refers to the two spies. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
Joshua 2:13
spare the lives ... save us from death
a polite way of saying "do not to kill us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
Joshua 2:14
General Information:
The Israelite spies make the promise which Rahab asked for in Joshua 2:12
Our life for yours, even to death
This idiom is a way of swearing and asking God to curse them if they do not keep their promise. Alternate translation: "If we do not do what we promise, may Yahweh cause us to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Joshua 2:15
General Information:
The Israelite spies continue to talk to Rahab.
Joshua 2:16
General Information:
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Joshua 2:17
if you do not do this
This expresses a condition for the promise the spies had made to Rahab. The word, "this," refers to the things the men tell her to do in Joshua 2:18.
Joshua 2:18
General Information:
The Israelite spies continue talking to Rahab.
Connecting Statement:
The Israelite spies clarify the condition they expressed in Joshua 2:15.
Joshua 2:19
Whoever goes out of the doors of your house
This can be translated as a condition. Alternate translation: "If anyone goes out of the doors of your house"
their blood will be upon their own heads
Here "blood" represents a person's death. To be responsible for their own death is spoken of as if their blood would be on their heads. Alternate translation: "their death will be their own fault" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
we will be guiltless
"we will be innocent"
if a hand is laid upon any
Here "a hand is laid upon" is a polite way of referring to causing someone injury. Alternate translation: "if we cause injury to any" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
Joshua 2:20
General Information:
The two Israelite spies continue to speak to Rahab about their promise to her. The spies required Rahab to remain silent about their visit or they would be free from their oath to protect her family.
if you speak
"You" refers to Rahab. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
Joshua 2:21
May what you say be done
Rahab agreed to their terms of the oath to protect her family.
Joshua 2:22
General Information:
The two Israelites spies leave Jericho.
their pursuers returned
It may be helpful to say they returned to Jericho. Alternate translation: "their pursuers returned to the city of Jericho" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
found nothing
This refers to the men not finding the spies.
Joshua 2:23
The two men returned
The two men returned back to the Israelite's camp. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
returned and crossed over and came back
These are similar expressions referring to returning to where the Israelite's are camped. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
crossed over
"cross over" means to go to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: "traveled from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Nun
This is a male name; the father of Joshua. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
everything that had happened to them
"all that the men had experienced and seen."
Joshua 2:24
us
This word, "us," refers to Israel.
inhabitants of the land are melting away
The people of the land toward Israel are like a substance that melts in the presence of heat. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)