Joshua 2:3 kjv

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.

Joshua 2:3 nkjv

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."

Joshua 2:3 niv

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."

Joshua 2:3 esv

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."

Joshua 2:3 nlt

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."

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 3 Meaning

Joshua 2:3 describes a critical moment when the king of Jericho became aware of the Israelite spies' presence. He immediately dispatched a message to Rahab, the woman who housed them, commanding her to surrender the men. His directive stemmed from the belief that these individuals were spies engaged in reconnaissance, seeking to gather intelligence about the entire surrounding region, not just Jericho itself. This action highlights the vigilance and fear of the Canaanite leadership in anticipation of the Israelite invasion.

Joshua 2 3 Context

Joshua chapter 2 initiates the account of Israel's direct preparations for conquering the promised land by detailing the mission of two spies to Jericho. Joshua, as instructed by the Lord and from the wilderness of Shittim, sends these men to gather intelligence before the main invasion. Their very presence in Jericho is swiftly discovered, likely through an extensive network of informers, common in ancient walled cities for security. The king's immediate response in verse 3, directly addressing Rahab, demonstrates his perceived authority, the efficiency of his intelligence system, and the prevailing state of high alert and fear within Jericho regarding the advancing Israelites. Historically, Jericho was a significant fortified city, guarding access to the central highlands, making it a critical first target for the Israelite conquest. The king's actions here set the stage for Rahab's choice and the miraculous fall of the city.

Joshua 2 3 Word analysis

• And the king: melek (מֶלֶךְ) in Hebrew, denoting a sovereign ruler. This highlights the highest earthly authority within Jericho. His command carries ultimate weight in the city, underscoring the gravity of Rahab's subsequent decision to defy him. This immediate assertion of royal power signifies the organized defense of Jericho.

• of Jericho: The specific city. Jericho was a major Canaanite stronghold, strategically important. Its king's swift action illustrates the heightened security and alarm in the city due to the impending Israelite invasion, previously known from reports (Josh 2:9-11).

• sent: shalach (שָׁלַח) in Hebrew, meaning "to send," often with authority or a specific commission. This implies an official royal command and the dispatch of royal messengers.

• unto Rahab: Directly addressing her. This indicates the king's intelligence pinpointed her house as the spies' refuge. This specificity suggests either her house's prominent location near the wall or her profession made her an easy place for strangers to seek lodging, attracting attention.

• saying, Bring forth: A direct, imperative command, showcasing the king's authority. yatsa' (יָצָא) meaning "to come/bring out." No negotiation, just an order for immediate surrender.

• the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: A precise identification. The king's spies or informers not only knew that foreign men were in the city but had tracked them directly to Rahab's dwelling, emphasizing the pervasive surveillance.

• for they be come to search out: chafar (חָפַר) in Hebrew, meaning "to dig, to search, to explore." Here, it specifically means to "spy out" or "reconnoiter." The king accurately perceives the men's true purpose, recognizing them as intelligence agents.

• all the country: Not just Jericho, but the broader territory. This indicates the king understood the strategic implications beyond his city walls. He saw the spies as a threat to Canaan as a whole, reflecting the general apprehension among the Canaanite city-states about Israel's advance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men": This phrase emphasizes the clash of authority and wills. The absolute power of an earthly king (a pagan ruler) is brought against an ordinary woman, who is about to make a decision that aligns with the divine will over human command. It highlights the initial external pressure on Rahab.
  • "that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country": This group of words clarifies the king's intelligence and his rationale. He had precise information about the spies' location and accurately discerned their military reconnaissance objective. This also illustrates the deep-seated fear and strategic vigilance among the Canaanites concerning Israel's intentions and movements.

Joshua 2 3 Bonus section

The king's immediate intelligence regarding the spies’ presence underscores the constant state of alarm in Canaanite cities. Their effective spy networks operated under duress from a power that terrified them, a terror fueled by reports of Israel's miraculous past (Josh 2:9-11). This situation subtly points to a theological tension: an earthly king, with all his power and intelligence, is unwittingly an actor in a divine drama where God's ultimate plan will supersede his authority. The speed and precision of the king's command also stand in stark contrast to Rahab’s ability to successfully hide the spies and deceive his messengers, indicating a higher power was at work.

Joshua 2 3 Commentary

Joshua 2:3 depicts the immediate consequence of the spies' arrival in Jericho. The swift intelligence gathered by the king's network reveals the comprehensive control and watchful nature of the Canaanite regime. The king's direct address to Rahab, ordering the surrender of the men, is a powerful assertion of his authority and demonstrates his acute awareness of the existential threat posed by these foreign visitors. His assessment that the spies "be come to search out all the country" is precisely accurate in their military objective, although he remains ignorant of the divine power guiding their mission and protecting them. This verse sets the stage for Rahab's pivotal choice between loyalty to her king and her emerging faith in the God of Israel. Her defiance of this clear royal command is a testament to her nascent conviction and the courageous action that secures her place in biblical history. It underscores how God often uses unlikely individuals in unexpected circumstances to advance His sovereign plan, sometimes by directly confronting and overruling established earthly authorities.