Joshua 2:22 kjv

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.

Joshua 2:22 nkjv

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.

Joshua 2:22 niv

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.

Joshua 2:22 esv

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.

Joshua 2:22 nlt

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.

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 22 Meaning

Joshua 2:22 details the immediate action of the Israelite spies after departing from Rahab's house in Jericho: their strategic retreat to the mountain range to evade the pursuing Jericho soldiers. It records their patient wait for three days until the pursuers had returned, confirming that despite a thorough search, the spies remained undiscovered, hidden by God's providence and Rahab's assistance. This act of concealment was crucial for their survival and the continuation of God's plan for the conquest of Jericho.

Joshua 2 22 Context

Joshua chapter 2 serves as the initial step in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically focusing on the pivotal city of Jericho. Prior to the main military engagement, Joshua, guided by divine leading, dispatches two spies to scout the city, a move reminiscent of Moses' earlier, albeit ultimately failed, reconnaissance mission in Num 13. The spies, upon entering Jericho, find refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot living on the city wall. The Canaanite king, alerted to their presence, dispatches soldiers to capture them. Joshua 2:22 directly follows Rahab's cunning act of hiding the spies under stalks of flax on her roof and misleading the king's pursuers. The verse highlights the spies' obedience to Rahab's counsel and God's providential care in protecting them during a critical moment of vulnerability, demonstrating that human effort, however vigilant, cannot thwart divine purpose. Historically, walled cities like Jericho were formidable fortresses, and any infiltration by enemy agents would trigger immediate and relentless pursuit by the city's guards.

Joshua 2 22 Word analysis

• And they departed: Hebrew vayyēleḵū (וַיֵּלְכוּ), from halakh (הָלַךְ) "to go, walk." This implies a swift and obedient departure from Rahab's house, following her precise instructions for their safety. It marks the initiation of the next phase of their evasion.
• and came to the mountain: Hebrew vayyābo'ū (וַיָּבֹאוּ) from bo' (בּוֹא) "to come," and hehārāh (הָהָרָה) "to the mountain/hill country." This refers to the barren, rocky wilderness terrain immediately east of Jericho, rising sharply from the Jordan Valley. It was a common place of refuge due to its many caves and crevices, providing excellent cover and vantage points. The specific mention underscores their adherence to Rahab's wise counsel (Jos 2:16) for secure hiding.
• and abode there: Hebrew vayyēšebū (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ) from yāshav (יָשַׁב) "to sit, dwell, remain." This signifies a settled stay, not just a passing through. It emphasizes their intentional waiting for a period of time, recognizing the need for patience for their pursuers to exhaust their search.
• three days: This precise duration is significant. Practically, it was enough time for the immediate pursuit to conclude and for the pursuers to give up hope of finding them near Jericho. Theologically, the number three often appears in biblical narratives marking completion, resolution, or divine action (e.g., Jon 1:17, Hos 6:2, the resurrection of Christ). It suggests divine timing and intervention, ensuring the spies' safe passage was aligned with God's plan, rather than mere chance.
• until the pursuers were returned: Hebrew ʻad-shūv (עַד-שׁוּב) hārōdēphīm (הָרֹדְפִים), from shuv (שׁוּב) "to return" and rādaf (רָדַף) "to pursue." This marks the definitive end point for the spies' concealment. Their period of waiting was directly tied to the outcome of the search, demonstrating prudence and dependence on the enemy's efforts to subside. It highlights God's providential timing.
• and the pursuers sought them: Hebrew vaybaqšū (וַיְבַקְשׁוּ) hārōdēphīm (הָרֹדְפִים), from biqesh (בִּקֵּשׁ) "to seek, search." This emphasizes the diligence and persistence of Jericho's soldiers. They were not half-hearted in their efforts.
• throughout all the way: Hebrew kol-haderekh (כָּל־הַדֶּרֶךְ). This indicates a thorough and extensive search along the route towards the Jordan, implying that no stone was left unturned from the Jericho side. This thoroughness highlights the effectiveness of the spies' hiding strategy (guided by Rahab's divine insight) and God's protective hand.
• but found them not: Hebrew wəlo' məṣā'ûm (וְלֹא מְצָאוּם), from matsa' (מָצָא) "to find." This is the critical outcome of the search. Despite the diligence of the pursuers and the extensive search area, their efforts were completely futile. This negative outcome implicitly points to a divine hand in the concealment of the spies, demonstrating God's sovereign protection over His chosen instruments and the powerlessness of human opposition against His purposes.

Joshua 2 22 Bonus section

The account in Joshua 2:22 serves as an indirect polemic against the supposed strength and intelligence of Jericho. The city was likely well-guarded and vigilant, as evidenced by the rapid deployment and thoroughness of the pursuers. Yet, the narrative explicitly shows their complete failure to find the spies, contrasting human vigilance with divine safeguarding. This implicitly declares that even the most formidable earthly powers cannot thwart God's will or find those whom He chooses to hide. This moment also subtly emphasizes Rahab's crucial role; her faith and tactical brilliance (divinely inspired) directly contribute to the spies' survival. Had they not listened to her or had she not offered specific, detailed instructions for their evasion, their mission, and potentially their lives, would have been forfeit.

Joshua 2 22 Commentary

Joshua 2:22 succinctly narrates a crucial phase of the spies' mission, emphasizing the practical wisdom of their actions combined with divine providence. Following Rahab's sound advice, their decision to seek refuge in the challenging mountain terrain, rather than immediately heading back to the Jordan, was strategic. This environment provided natural concealment from the highly diligent pursuers who searched "throughout all the way." The specified "three days" period for their hiding highlights a meticulous plan, allowing ample time for the pursuers to abandon their search, and often biblically points to a divinely orchestrated timeframe. The core message is the ultimate failure of Jericho's efforts to thwart God's plans. Despite the enemy's vigilance and thoroughness, they "found them not." This isn't merely good luck; it's a testament to God's invisible hand at work, protecting His agents and paving the way for Israel's entry into the land, foreshadowing His comprehensive care for His people. It exemplifies how God uses wise human counsel and action in conjunction with His divine power to achieve His purposes. Practically, it teaches that wisdom and patience, aligned with divine direction, often lead to safe outcomes in the face of adversity.