Joshua 2:5 kjv
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.
Joshua 2:5 nkjv
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."
Joshua 2:5 niv
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."
Joshua 2:5 esv
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."
Joshua 2:5 nlt
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."
Joshua 2 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 2:1 | ...Joshua... sent two men to spy secretly, saying, Go... | Spies sent by Joshua. |
| Josh 2:3 | ...the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men... | The king's knowledge of the spies and pursuit. |
| Josh 2:4 | And the woman took the two men, and hid them... | Rahab's immediate action to hide them. |
| Josh 2:6 | But she had brought them up to the roof... | Details Rahab's successful hiding strategy. |
| Josh 2:9-11 | ...I know that the LORD hath given you the land... | Rahab's declaration of faith in the LORD. |
| Josh 2:16 | ...she said to them, Get you to the mountain... | Rahab's advice for the spies' escape. |
| Josh 6:17 | ...only Rahab the harlot shall live, she, and all that are with her... | Divine command to spare Rahab during Jericho's fall. |
| Josh 6:25 | And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household... | Fulfillment of the promise to save Rahab. |
| Judg 4:18-22 | Jael received Sisera into her tent... and gave him milk... but she put a nail... | Another example of a woman using cunning in a dire situation. |
| 1 Sam 16:1-5 | Samuel lamented for Saul... The LORD said... fill thine horn with oil... I will send thee to Jesse... for I have provided me a king... | God instructing Samuel to dissemble/act covertly for a righteous purpose (anointing David). |
| 2 Sam 17:15-20 | Ahimaaz and Jonathan came... a girl told them... and went and hid in a well... | Hiding fugitives and using deception against pursuers. |
| Gen 12:12-13 | ...say, thou art my sister... | Abraham's use of partial truth/deception, raises similar moral questions. |
| Gen 20:2 | And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister... | Repeat of Abraham's deception concerning Sarah. |
| Exo 1:15-21 | ...the midwives... feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded... | Midwives deceiving Pharaoh to save Israelite babies, commended by God. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. | General condemnation of lying, providing context for theological debate. |
| Ps 37:32-33 | The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand... | God's protection of His people from the wicked. |
| Is 8:12 | ...Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. | Trust in God over worldly threats or fears. |
| Matt 10:16 | ...be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. | Christian conduct involving prudence and innocence in hostile environments. |
| Heb 11:31 | By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. | New Testament commendation of Rahab's faith for receiving the spies. |
| Jam 2:25 | Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? | Rahab's actions (hiding, sending out) presented as justification by works. |
| 2 Pet 2:7 | ...Lot... was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked... | Example of a righteous person troubled by evil surroundings, leading to desperate measures. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. | Rahab's trust in God, overcoming fear of man. |
Joshua 2 verses
Joshua 2 5 Meaning
Joshua 2:5 describes Rahab's pivotal deception to protect the Israelite spies. As the city gates of Jericho were closing at dusk, she fabricated a story for the king's search party, claiming the men (spies) had already departed into the dark, and advised immediate pursuit, assuring them they would overtake the "fleeing" individuals. This strategic lie aimed to divert the pursuers away from her house, ensuring the spies' safety.
Joshua 2 5 Context
Joshua 2:5 occurs early in the Book of Joshua, following the selection and sending of two spies by Joshua to reconnaissance Jericho. Rahab, a harlot (possibly an innkeeper), gives them refuge in her home, which is built into the city wall. The city of Jericho, heavily fortified, is aware of Israel's presence and intentions, prompting a vigilant king to search for infiltrators. This verse details Rahab's crucial act of quick thinking and deceptive communication when the king's men come to her house, demanding the spies. Her actions are set against the backdrop of a walled city on high alert, emphasizing the gravity and danger of the situation. The city gates shutting at dusk were standard security protocol for ancient fortified cities, adding a sense of urgency and suspense to the narrative as time was running out for the spies.
Joshua 2 5 Word analysis
- And it came to pass: (וַיְהִי, vayhi) A common Hebrew narrative marker, indicating the flow of events. It establishes the sequential nature of Rahab's quick decision and action.
- about the time of shutting of the gate: (שַׁעַר, sha'ar - gate) Gates were the primary defensive points of ancient cities, closed at sundown for security. This timing highlights urgency, restricting movement into or out of Jericho. Rahab's promptness at this critical hour saved the spies, demonstrating her acute awareness of the city's operations and defensive measures. It also implies a narrow window of opportunity for the spies' eventual escape.
- when it was dark: (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshek - darkness) Complements the "shutting of the gate." Darkness aids concealment and evasion. It provides a plausible reason for why Rahab might "wot not" (know not) where the men went and facilitates the spies' escape routes, as movement would be less conspicuous under its cover. It's an environment often used in Scripture for secret movements or divine operations (e.g., Exod 10:22).
- that the men went out: This statement by Rahab is a deliberate untruth. She had hidden them, not sent them out. It’s part of her active and intelligent misdirection.
- and I wot not whither the men went: ("wot not" from יָדַע, yada' - to know; "whither" from אָנָה, anah - where/whither) Archaic for "I knew not where the men went." This is a direct, assertive lie by Rahab. Her knowing statement of not knowing provides a crucial element of deception to the king's messengers. It implies innocence and cooperation while secretly sabotaging their efforts.
- pursue after them quickly: (מַהֵר, maher - quickly) Rahab not only misdirects but also provides actionable (though false) advice, lending credibility to her story. "Quickly" adds to the urgency, encouraging the search party to act before their trail supposedly cools. This tactic ensures the pursuers chase the wrong direction with zeal.
- for ye shall surely overtake them: (הַשִּׁיגוּ, has-shigu - overtake/reach) This promise from Rahab cements her deception, assuring the king's men that her advice is sound and beneficial. It projects confidence in her false information, ensuring the pursuers waste their efforts and precious time. The certainty conveyed also diminishes their impulse to search her house further.
Joshua 2 5 Bonus section
- Rahab's Boldness and Intelligence: Rahab’s actions demonstrate remarkable courage and presence of mind. She swiftly assesses the danger, calculates a plausible diversion, and delivers it convincingly under pressure. Her suggestion to "pursue quickly" and "surely overtake them" makes her sound helpful and trustworthy to the king's men.
- The Power of Misdirection: This verse is a prime example of effective misdirection in a critical situation. Rahab's precise, yet false, instructions redirect significant resources (the king's men) away from the actual target, providing the spies with time and a window to escape.
- Divine Timing: The "shutting of the gate" and the "darkness" are not mere coincidences. They underscore the divine orchestration that provided Rahab the opportune circumstances for her deception and the spies for their escape route. It emphasizes God's providence even in seemingly mundane details.
Joshua 2 5 Commentary
Joshua 2:5 encapsulates Rahab’s quick-witted action, which was pivotal for the Israelite spies' survival. Her deceptive words, delivered under the pressing deadline of Jericho’s closing gates at dusk, successfully misled the king's search party. While her act involved lying, a practice generally condemned in scripture (e.g., Prov 12:22), it is contextually framed as a means to protect God's people (Josh 2:4, 6). The New Testament commends Rahab not for her deception per se, but for her "faith" (Heb 11:31) and "works" (Jam 2:25) of receiving and sending out the messengers, suggesting God overlooked or transcended the moral imperfection of her method given her intention and the dire circumstances. Her actions saved the spies, demonstrating divine providence working through an unexpected ally and her ultimate alignment with the God of Israel. Her intelligence and boldness facilitated God's plan, highlighting the impotence of Jericho's defenses against a divinely orchestrated strategy.