Joshua 2:11 kjv
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.
Joshua 2:11 nkjv
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.
Joshua 2:11 niv
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.
Joshua 2:11 esv
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.
Joshua 2:11 nlt
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.
Joshua 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 15:15-16 | Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed... Terror and dread fell upon them; by the greatness of your arm... | Nations fearful after Red Sea |
| Deut 2:25 | This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples... | Yahweh instilling dread |
| Deut 11:25 | No man shall be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will lay the dread and fear of you... | Divine promise of pervasive fear |
| 1 Sam 4:8 | Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians... | Philistine fear of Israel's God |
| Ps 76:7 | You, You alone, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? | God alone is to be feared |
| Jer 32:21 | You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand... | Yahweh's powerful deliverance confirmed |
| Gen 14:19 | Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth... | Melchizedek's similar confession |
| Deut 4:39 | Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. | Moses' exhortation of God's sole reign |
| Deut 10:14 | To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. | God's ownership of all creation |
| 1 Kgs 8:27 | But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain You... | God's omnipresence/transcendence |
| Neh 9:6 | You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host... | Creator of all heaven and earth |
| Ps 115:3 | Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. | God's absolute sovereignty |
| Isa 66:1 | This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool." | God's cosmic authority |
| Matt 28:18 | And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." | Christ's ultimate authority |
| Acts 17:24 | The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples... | God as Creator and Lord of all |
| Rev 4:11 | "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things..." | God as creator and ruler |
| Exod 15:15 | Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling grips them... | Paralysis due to terror |
| Lev 26:36 | And as for those of you who are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands... | Consequences of fear/disobedience |
| Deut 1:28 | ...our brethren made our hearts melt, saying, "The people are greater and taller than we..." | Previous generation's melted hearts |
| Heb 11:31 | By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies... | Rahab's faith praised |
| Jas 2:25 | In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did... | Rahab's faith demonstrated by actions |
| Isa 45:5-6 | I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God... | Yahweh's singular divinity |
| John 17:3 | And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. | Knowing the only true God |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. | Monotheistic affirmation |
Joshua 2 verses
Joshua 2 11 Meaning
Joshua 2:11 is a pivotal declaration by Rahab, affirming her deep conviction that the God of Israel is the supreme and universal deity. She states that the reports of Yahweh's miraculous acts have caused complete terror and loss of courage among the inhabitants of Jericho. This verse signifies Rahab's faith, distinguishing her from her people, and acknowledges the unique and ultimate sovereignty of the LORD over all creation, heaven and earth alike.
Joshua 2 11 Context
Joshua 2 details the dispatch of two Israelite spies into Jericho, immediately preceding the conquest of Canaan. Rahab, a Canaanite woman and resident of Jericho, provides them refuge and protection from the city's king. This verse is Rahab's personal confession and explanation for her actions. She acknowledges the pervasive fear among her people due to the Israelites' God-assisted victories (specifically the Red Sea crossing and the recent defeat of Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings). Rahab's declaration sets her apart from the fear-paralyzed, yet unrepentant, inhabitants of Jericho. It provides theological underpinning for her later preservation by Israel, highlighting that her salvation was not due to cleverness, but a profound, Spirit-prompted faith in the unique and supreme God of Israel, unlike the wavering faith often seen even within Israel.
Joshua 2 11 Word analysis
- And as soon as we heard these things: Rahab explicitly refers to concrete events and reports—primarily the drying of the Red Sea for Israel (Exod 14) and the victories over the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og (Num 21). This "hearing" (shama') signifies not merely intellectual knowledge but also an emotional and psychological reception of these powerful acts. It highlights that the divine renown precedes the physical conquest.
- our hearts melted: The Hebrew word for "melted" (masas) indicates a complete loss of firmness, dissolving, or languishing. "Hearts" (lev) in biblical usage refers not only to emotions but also to one's will, resolve, and inner being. This phrase depicts a profound psychological state of utter terror and complete demoralization. It's the opposite of courage or steadfastness, signifying that their very spirit to resist was broken.
- and there was no longer any spirit in any man: The Hebrew word ruach ("spirit") here implies vital energy, courage, resolve, or breath itself. The phrase means a total collapse of willpower and the absence of any desire or ability to resist. Their bravery and fortitude had entirely deserted them. This portrays an acute, debilitating fear, indicating divine preparation of the ground for Israel's invasion by draining the will of the inhabitants.
- because of you: This shows the direct connection. Rahab knows the cause of their fear is the Israelites, whom she understands are the instruments of their God's power and judgment. It is an acknowledgement that the terrifying presence is not merely Israelite power, but God's power through Israel.
- for the LORD your God: Rahab moves from a general fear to a specific theological statement. "The LORD" is the covenant name Yahweh (YHWH), unique to Israel's God. Her referring to Him as "your God" shows her initial perspective, but the confession immediately transitions to a universal truth, elevating Him beyond just an Israelite deity.
- He is God: A crucial monotheistic declaration. "God" (Elohim) here asserts His absolute divinity. In a polytheistic Canaanite context, this is a polemic against all other regional deities. It's a statement of ultimate truth: all other "gods" worshipped by the Canaanites are nothing; He alone is God.
- in the heavens above and on the earth beneath: This specifies the sphere of Yahweh's absolute dominion and sovereignty. He is not a local or tribal deity but the transcendent, omnipresent, and omnipotent God of the entire cosmos. "Heavens above" indicates His heavenly reign and ultimate authority over creation; "earth beneath" emphasizes His complete control and jurisdiction over the terrestrial realm and all its inhabitants. There is no place where His power does not extend, no realm outside His rule. This confession of universal sovereignty stands in stark contrast to the localized, often petty, and limited gods of the Canaanite pantheon.
Joshua 2 11 Bonus section
- Rahab's confession underscores the theme of "divine dread" or "panic" that Yahweh puts upon Israel's enemies as promised (Exod 23:27; Deut 2:25; 11:25). This supernatural fear pre-conditions the land for Israel's conquest.
- Her statement, delivered from outside the covenant people, acts as an objective witness to the true identity of Israel's God, serving as a powerful lesson for Israel about their own God. It contrasts with the lack of faith demonstrated by some Israelites, such as the ten spies in Num 13, whose report also melted the hearts of the people, but in disbelief rather than Rahab's repentant recognition.
- Rahab's status as a prostitute and Gentile highlights the expansive nature of God's grace and salvation, which transcends social, ethnic, and moral boundaries. She demonstrates a truer form of "hearing and obeying" than those who would face judgment. Her inclusion in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:5) further emphasizes this radical grace.
Joshua 2 11 Commentary
Joshua 2:11 records a profound and unique confession of faith from a Gentile woman in a hostile land. Rahab's words reveal that the renown of Yahweh had spread far and wide, effectively demoralizing the Canaanites even before Israel engaged them in battle. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over the hearts of men and His providential preparation for Israel's conquest. Her recognition of "the LORD your God" as "God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath" is a direct, robust theological statement of Yahweh's absolute and universal sovereignty. This insight surpassed even that of many within Israel at various times in their history. It challenges the common belief systems of the ancient Near East, which compartmentalized deities to specific domains or nations. Rahab's statement confirms Yahweh as the one true God, over and above any local or national god, and illustrates that genuine fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, leading her to align with God's people. Her actions, born out of this conviction, underscore the truth that God works through unlikely individuals and circumstances to fulfill His purposes.