Joshua 2 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Joshua 2 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Spies in Jericho: Joshua and the Israelites prepare to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God instructs the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant across the river first, and the water is divided, allowing the Israelites to pass through dry-shod. The Israelites camp at Gilgal, just inside the Promised Land. Joshua circumcises all the men who were born in the wilderness, fulfilling God's command. The Israelites also celebrate Passover at Gilgal, commemorating their deliverance from Egypt. While the Israelites are camped at Gilgal, Joshua sends two spies to Jericho to gather information. The spies enter the city and meet Rahab, a prostitute. Rahab hides the spies and helps them escape. Rahab believes in the God of Israel, and she knows that the Israelites will eventually conquer Jericho. She asks the spies to spare her and her family when the Israelites attack. The spies promise to do so, and they give Rahab a scarlet cord to hang from her window as a sign that her house is to be spared.

This chapter tells the story of Rahab, a prostitute living in Jericho, and her encounter with two Israelite spies.

1. Spies Sent to Jericho (v. 1-3): Joshua sends two spies to secretly scout out Jericho, the first Canaanite city they plan to conquer. He instructs them to gather information, particularly about the city's defenses.

2. Rahab Hides the Spies (v. 4-7): The spies find lodging in Rahab's house, built into the city wall. The king of Jericho, hearing of their presence, sends soldiers to capture them. Rahab, however, hides the spies on her roof under stalks of flax. She misleads the king's men, claiming the spies had already left the city.

3. Rahab's Faith and Request (v. 8-14): After the soldiers leave, Rahab reveals to the spies that she knows their God, Yahweh, is the one true God who will deliver the land into their hands. She acknowledges the fear and dread that has fallen upon the Canaanites because of the Israelites' victories. In exchange for protecting the spies, Rahab asks them to swear an oath to spare her and her family during the destruction of Jericho.

4. The Spies' Oath and Escape (v. 15-21): The spies agree to Rahab's request, making her tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign for the Israelites to spare her household. They then escape the city by climbing down the wall using the cord. They return to Joshua with the news of Jericho's fear and Rahab's assistance.

Key Themes:

Faith and Courage: Rahab, despite being a Canaanite and a prostitute, demonstrates remarkable faith in Yahweh. She risks her life to protect the spies, believing in the God of Israel.
God's Sovereignty: The chapter highlights God's power and control over the situation. Even before the battle, the Canaanites are filled with fear, showing God is already working to deliver the land to Israel.
Mercy and Redemption: Despite Jericho's impending destruction, Rahab and her family are spared because of her faith and actions. This foreshadows God's willingness to show mercy even to those outside of Israel.

Chapter 2 sets the stage for the dramatic conquest of Jericho, introducing a key character in Rahab and highlighting the themes of faith, God's power, and the possibility of redemption.

Joshua 2 bible study ai commentary

Joshua 2 details the crucial reconnaissance of Jericho, where God's plan is advanced not by military might but through the surprising faith of a Canaanite prostitute, Rahab. It is a story of espionage transformed into a narrative of salvation, demonstrating God’s sovereign power to work through the most unlikely individuals and to incorporate Gentiles into His redemptive plan. The chapter powerfully illustrates that true knowledge of God, evidenced by faith-filled action, transcends ethnicity and social status, foreshadowing the gospel's universal reach through the powerful symbol of the scarlet cord.

Joshua 2 Context

The events occur at Shittim, on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, as Israel prepares to enter Canaan after forty years of wandering. Jericho was one of the world's oldest and most fortified cities, a strategic gateway to the promised land. Culturally, Canaan was polytheistic, with deities like Baal and Asherah. Rahab's declaration of Yahweh's supreme authority serves as a direct polemic against these beliefs. Her profession as a prostitute (zanah), which may have overlapped with being an innkeeper, places her on the lowest rungs of society, making her selection by God a profound display of His grace that subverts human expectations.

Joshua 2:1

And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.

In-depth-analysis

Sent two men secretly: This contrasts sharply with Moses sending twelve spies, a public mission that ended in disaster (Num 13). Joshua's approach is smaller, more clandestine, and perhaps demonstrates a wisdom learned from past failures. The secrecy also suggests Joshua was managing the morale of the nation, preventing a potential repeat of mass fear.
from Shittim: This was the final staging ground for Israel before crossing the Jordan. It's a place associated with Israel's apostasy with the Moabites (Num 25:1), making it a site of both sin and the launch of redemptive conquest.
house of a prostitute (zanah): The Hebrew zanah usually means a prostitute. While some suggest it could mean "innkeeper," the New Testament consistently refers to her as a prostitute (Heb 11:31, Jas 2:25). Her home's location on the city wall would be ideal for discreetly lodging travelers and gathering information, making it a perfect spot for spies. God deliberately leads the spies to a place of social and moral marginalization to find the greatest faith in the city.
Rahab: Her name is related to a Hebrew word for "broad" or "wide," perhaps indicating her influence or the "broad" grace she would receive. She is one of only five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew's gospel.

Bible references

Numbers 13:2: '“Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel..."' (Contrast in mission scale and outcome).
Hebrews 11:31: 'By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient...' (Identifies her faith as the reason for her salvation).
James 2:25: '...was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers...?' (Highlights her actions as the evidence of her faith).
Matthew 1:5: '...Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab...' (Incorporation into Messiah's lineage).

Cross references

Gen 38:15 (Tamar acting as a prostitute); Num 25:1 (Sin at Shittim); Josh 6:17 (Rahab's salvation).

Joshua 2:2–7

And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

In-depth-analysis

The King Knew: Jericho's intelligence was sharp; the spies' presence was detected quickly, showing the city was on high alert. The king acts immediately, highlighting the imminent threat Israel posed.
Rahab's Lie: Rahab's deception is a point of ethical debate. However, the Bible commends her for her faith and actions, not the lie itself. Her actions align with a higher loyalty to God over her pagan king. This pattern of "righteous deception" to save lives aligned with God's will is also seen elsewhere in Scripture.
Stalks of Flax: This is a small but significant detail. It indicates it was springtime, around the time of the Passover, as flax was harvested then. It shows Rahab as an industrious person and adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Hiding God's agents in the fruits of her labor is symbolic.
The Gate was Shut: This detail emphasizes the spies' complete entrapment. Without Rahab's help, they would have been caught. It magnifies her crucial role and their total dependence on her.

Bible references

Exodus 1:15-21: '...the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded...' (Righteous deception to save God's people).
1 Samuel 19:11-17: '...Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped.' (Another woman uses deception to save God's anointed).

Cross references

1 Ki 18:4 (Obadiah hid prophets); Acts 9:25 (Paul escapes in a basket).

Joshua 2:8–11

Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us... For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you... and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites... And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

In-depth-analysis

"I know": This is a statement of certain faith, not mere opinion. It mirrors the language of divine assurance God gave to Israel. A Canaanite woman is speaking the truth that Israel often doubted.
Source of Fear: The fear in Jericho was not just of an army, but of Israel’s God. She cites two key events:
1. Red Sea Crossing: A 40-year-old event. Its story was still potent and terrifying, demonstrating Yahweh's power over nature itself.
2. Defeat of Sihon and Og: A recent, decisive victory that proved Yahweh's power in battle over the strongest regional powers.
Hearts melted: This phrase signifies complete loss of courage and morale. The Canaanites were psychologically defeated before the first battle.
"the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above and on earth beneath": This is the theological climax of the chapter. It is a full monotheistic confession of faith, acknowledging Yahweh's universal sovereignty. She declares Him God not just of the hills or of a single people, but of everything.

Polemics

Rahab's confession is a direct polemic against Canaanite polytheism. While Canaanites believed in localized, competing deities like Baal (storm god) and El (high god), Rahab proclaims Yahweh as the ultimate, universal deity who controls heaven (sky/divine realm) and earth (human realm), rendering all other gods powerless.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 4:39: '...know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.' (Rahab echoes the core tenet of the Shema).
Exodus 15:14-16: 'The peoples have heard; they tremble... all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.' (The Song of Moses prophesied exactly what Rahab reports).
Philippians 2:10-11: '...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...' (Rahab's confession foreshadows the universal confession of God's sovereignty).

Cross references

Deut 2:25 (God promises to put dread of Israel on nations); Ps 48:6 (enemies' terror).

Joshua 2:12-16

Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you will also deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! ...And when the LORD gives us the land, we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” ...Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall...

In-depth-analysis

Swear to me by the LORD: Rahab grounds the oath in the authority of Yahweh Himself. She is not just trusting the men, but the God she has just confessed.
Kindly (hesed): Rahab uses the Hebrew word hesed. This is a rich term meaning loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and mercy. She is asking for a covenantal promise, an unbreakable bond. The spies respond in kind, promising to show her hesed and faithfulness.
Sure Sign ('oth emeth'): She requests a "sign of truth." She wants a tangible guarantee of their promise. This leads to the scarlet cord.
House was built into the city wall: A crucial architectural detail that explains her unique ability to provide an escape route. This vulnerability in Jericho's defense becomes the very avenue of salvation.

Bible references

Genesis 24:49: '...if you are going to show steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness to my master, tell me...' (An example of hesed as the basis of a faithful agreement).
Ruth 1:8: 'May the LORD deal kindly (hesed) with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.' (Connects Rahab's story to another Gentile woman, Ruth, brought into God's family through hesed).

Cross references

Gen 21:23 (oath-making); 1 Sam 20:8 (Jonathan and David's covenant of hesed).

Joshua 2:17-21

And the men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath... Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down... Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

In-depth-analysis

Guiltless: The spies set clear conditions to ensure the covenant is upheld on both sides. The responsibility is now on Rahab. Salvation requires her active participation and obedience. The conditions are:
1. Tie the scarlet cord in the window.
2. Gather her entire family inside her house.
3. Maintain secrecy.
Scarlet Cord (tiqvath hashani): This is the "sure sign."
- Cord (tiqvah): This Hebrew word also means hope. Thus, it is literally a "cord of hope."
- Scarlet (shani): The color of blood. It is impossible to miss the parallel with the Passover, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts signaled for the angel of death to pass over (Exodus 12). Scarlet dye was costly and biblically associated with sin (Isa 1:18) and atonement/purification rites (Lev 14:4-6).
She tied the scarlet cord: Her immediate obedience demonstrates the reality of her faith. She doesn't wait until the invasion begins; she acts on the promise immediately.

Bible references

Exodus 12:7, 13: 'They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts... And the blood shall be a sign for you... and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.' (The primary parallel for the scarlet cord as a sign of salvation from destruction).
Isaiah 1:18: '“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...”' (Links the color scarlet with sin, which is cleansed by God's grace).
Leviticus 14:4, 52: '...the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed... cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop.' (Scarlet yarn was part of the ritual for cleansing from leprosy, a symbol of sin).

Cross references

2 Cor 6:2 (now is the day of salvation); Heb 2:3 (do not neglect salvation).

Joshua 2:22-24

They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days... The two men returned... and told Joshua all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And not only that, but all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

In-depth-analysis

Three days: The spies' obedience to Rahab’s counsel (v. 16) mirrors her obedience to their instructions. This waiting period echoes other significant three-day periods in the Bible (e.g., Abraham and Isaac, Jonah, Jesus's time in the tomb), often signifying a period of testing leading to deliverance or revelation.
Truly the LORD has given...: Their report is a powerful confirmation of God's promise and Rahab's confession. It is the complete opposite of the faithless report from the 10 spies in Numbers 13.
Melt away because of us: They now understand that God has already won the psychological war. Their faith is bolstered not by seeing Jericho’s weaknesses, but by hearing of the Canaanites’ fear of Yahweh. The mission succeeded beyond mere military intelligence; it secured theological certainty.

Bible references

Numbers 13:31-33: 'But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we."' (The fearful report of the previous generation of spies).
Numbers 14:9: 'Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us...' (The new report fulfills the faithful words of Joshua and Caleb from 40 years prior).

Cross references

Jon 1:17 (three days in the fish); Matt 27:63 (three days in the tomb).

Joshua chapter 2 analysis

Typology and Christ: Rahab is a clear type of the Gentile sinner saved by grace through faith. The scarlet cord is a powerful type of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the only sign that saves from judgment. The spies can be seen as foreshadowing the bearers of the gospel message, entering a hostile world to offer salvation.
The Unlikely Hero: God’s grace is radical. He chose a woman in a patriarchal society, a Canaanite (an enemy), and a prostitute (a social outcast) to be a hero of faith and to be grafted into the physical lineage of the Messiah (Matt 1:5). This is a theme throughout the Bible: God chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27).
Faith and Works: The New Testament holds Rahab up as a paragon of faith (Hebrews 11) and works (James 2). The two are inseparable. Her belief in Yahweh (faith) compelled her to risk her life to hide the spies and make a covenant (works). Her works were the necessary evidence of her genuine, saving faith.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: God had already promised the land to Israel and declared that fear would grip the Canaanites (Deut 2:25). Yet, Joshua still had to send spies, the spies had to trust Rahab, and Rahab had to act in faith. God’s sovereign plan unfolds through the faithful actions and choices of human beings.
Gospel in Jericho: Rahab’s confession in v.11 is a "gospel" moment. She heard of God’s works (the message), she believed in her heart that He is the one true God, and she confessed this truth, leading to her and her family's salvation.

Joshua 2 summary

Joshua sends two spies to reconnoiter Jericho. They are hidden by Rahab, a prostitute, who saves them from the king's men because she has come to fear and believe in Yahweh's supreme power. She professes her faith, referencing God's past miracles, and secures an oath from the spies to save her family. The agreed-upon sign is a scarlet cord to be hung from her window. The spies escape, return to Joshua, and deliver a faith-filled report confirming that God has already given them the land, as evidenced by the terror of its inhabitants.

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Joshua 2 AI Image Audio and Video

Joshua chapter 2 kjv

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.
² And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
³ 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.
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:
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.
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.
⁷ And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
⁸ And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
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.
¹⁰ 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.
¹¹ 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.
¹² Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
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.
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.
¹⁵ Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
¹⁶ And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
¹⁷ And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
¹⁸ Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread 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 father's household, home unto thee.
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 on our head, if any hand be upon him.
²⁰ And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
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.
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.
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 befell them:
²⁴ And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

Joshua chapter 2 nkjv

¹ Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.
² And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country."
³ So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country."
⁴ Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
⁵ And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them."
⁶ (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.)
⁷ Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
⁸ Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,
⁹ and said to the men: "I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.
¹⁰ For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
¹¹ And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
¹² Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token,
¹³ and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."
¹⁴ So the men answered her, "Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you."
¹⁵ Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall.
¹⁶ And she said to them, "Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way."
¹⁷ So the men said to her: "We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear,
¹⁸ unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home.
¹⁹ So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
²⁰ And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear."
²¹ Then she said, "According to your words, so be it." And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.
²² They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them.
²³ So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them.
²⁴ And they said to Joshua, "Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us."

Joshua chapter 2 niv

¹ Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
² The king of Jericho was told, "Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land."
³ So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."
⁴ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.
⁵ At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them."
⁶ (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)
⁷ So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
⁸ Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof
⁹ and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.
¹⁰ We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.
¹¹ When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
¹² "Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign
¹³ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them?and that you will save us from death."
¹⁴ "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."
¹⁵ So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
¹⁶ She said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."
¹⁷ Now the men had said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us
¹⁸ unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.
¹⁹ If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them.
²⁰ But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."
²¹ "Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
²² When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them.
²³ Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them.
²⁴ They said to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us."

Joshua chapter 2 esv

¹ And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.
² And it was told to the king of Jericho, "Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land."
³ Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land."
⁴ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
⁵ And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them."
⁶ But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof.
⁷ So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.
⁸ Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof
⁹ and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
¹⁰ For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.
¹¹ And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.
¹² Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign
¹³ that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death."
¹⁴ And the men said to her, "Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you."
¹⁵ Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.
¹⁶ And she said to them, "Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way."
¹⁷ The men said to her, "We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear.
¹⁸ Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household.
¹⁹ Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head.
²⁰ But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear."
²¹ And she said, "According to your words, so be it." Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
²² They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing.
²³ Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them.
²⁴ And they said to Joshua, "Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us."

Joshua chapter 2 nlt

¹ Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, "Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho." So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.
² But someone told the king of Jericho, "Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land."
³ So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: "Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land."
⁴ Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, "Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn't know where they were from.
⁵ They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don't know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them."
⁶ (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)
⁷ So the king's men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king's men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.
⁸ Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.
⁹ "I know the LORD has given you this land," she told them. "We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.
¹⁰ For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.
¹¹ No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.
¹² "Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that
¹³ when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families."
¹⁴ "We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety," the men agreed. "If you don't betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the LORD gives us the land."
¹⁵ Then, since Rahab's house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window.
¹⁶ "Escape to the hill country," she told them. "Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way."
¹⁷ Before they left, the men told her, "We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions.
¹⁸ When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members ? your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives ? must be here inside the house.
¹⁹ If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death.
²⁰ If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way."
²¹ "I accept your terms," she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.
²² The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success.
²³ Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them.
²⁴ "The LORD has given us the whole land," they said, "for all the people in the land are terrified of us."