Joshua 2:6 kjv

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.

Joshua 2:6 nkjv

(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.)

Joshua 2:6 niv

(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)

Joshua 2:6 esv

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.

Joshua 2:6 nlt

(Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 6 Meaning

Joshua 2:6 details the quick and strategic action taken by Rahab to hide the two Israelite spies sent by Joshua. After inquiries about the spies from the king of Jericho's men, Rahab cunningly leads them away by claiming the spies had already left. Meanwhile, she had already ushered the spies onto her rooftop, skillfully concealing them under carefully arranged stalks of flax that were laid out for drying. This immediate and deceptive act was pivotal in protecting the spies, showcasing her resourcefulness and her faith in the God of Israel.

Joshua 2 6 Context

Joshua 2 introduces the initial phase of the conquest of Canaan, specifically focusing on the city of Jericho. Before a direct military assault, Joshua sends two spies to "spy out the land, especially Jericho" (Josh 2:1). Upon their arrival, they lodge in the house of Rahab, a harlot whose house was built into the city wall. News of their presence reaches the king of Jericho, who immediately sends men to apprehend them. Joshua 2:6 directly follows the king's men arriving at Rahab's house and her initial denial that the spies were there, demonstrating her pre-emptive action to hide them.

Culturally, ancient Near Eastern cities like Jericho had flat roofs on houses that were often used for various purposes: drying crops (like flax), sleeping during warm nights, storage, and even prayer. Flax was a common and important agricultural crop, cultivated for its fibers used in making linen, ropes, and wicks. Rahab's act of laying flax out to dry would have been a normal household activity, making the hiding place appear innocuous. This entire episode sets the stage for Rahab's crucial role in the salvation of her family, marking a significant moment where a Canaanite outsider shows faith in Yahweh amidst a city condemned for its idolatry.

Joshua 2 6 Word analysis

• But she (וְהִיא - v'hee): The conjunction "but" implies a counteraction or contrast to the pursuing Jerichovites. "She" emphasizes Rahab's personal and active involvement. It highlights her independent and decisive agency in a pivotal moment, defying societal expectations and the authority of her city's king.
• had brought them up (הֶעֱלָתַם - he'elatamm): From the Hebrew verb עָלָה (alah), meaning "to go up" or "to bring up." The Hiphil perfect form signifies that Rahab had proactively and deliberately caused the spies to ascend. This wasn't an accidental occurrence but a conscious, physical effort to move them to a secure, hidden location.
• to the roof (הַגָּגָה - h'gagah): הַגָּג (hagag) means "the roof," specifically referring to the flat rooftop common in ancient Near Eastern dwellings. This detail is crucial for the naturalistic description of the hiding place. The roof was often accessible from within the house and served as an everyday functional area.
• and hid them (וַתִּצְפְּנֵם - vatitz'penem): From the Hebrew verb צָפַן (tsafan), meaning "to hide," "to conceal," or "to treasure up." The Hiphil consecutive perfect again indicates Rahab's intentional and complete action of concealment. This is the central act of the verse, indicating an active cover-up or protection. It showcases her quick thinking and determination to keep the spies safe.
• with the stalks of flax (בְּפִשְׁתֵּי הָעֵץ - b'fishtey ha'etz): פִּשְׁתֵּי (pishtey) refers to "flax," a plant cultivated for its fibers. הָעֵץ (ha'etz) refers to "the wood" or "the tree," likely denoting the stems or stalks of the flax plant. These were raw materials being dried, not finished cloth. The choice of flax stalks highlights the use of readily available, ordinary household materials as effective camouflage.
• which she had laid in order (עֲרֻכִים - arukim): From the Hebrew verb עָרַךְ (arakh), meaning "to arrange," "to set in order," or "to prepare." The passive participle implies that the stalks were not merely thrown haphazardly but were neatly arranged or stacked. This detail suggests careful planning and execution by Rahab, making the disguise more convincing and effective. It shows her foresight and diligence in establishing the hiding spot, potentially to allow air to circulate and facilitate drying.
• on the roof (עַל הַגָּג - al hagag): This repetition of "on the roof" reinforces the exact location of the hiding place and the normalcy of the activity. It underlines that the deception was hidden in plain sight, leveraging a common household chore.

Joshua 2 6 Bonus section

• Foreshadowing Gentile Inclusion: Rahab, a Canaanite "harlot," becoming an active participant in God's redemptive plan and later an ancestress of Jesus (Matt 1:5), powerfully foreshadows the future inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant family through faith, regardless of their past.
• The Power of Observation: Rahab's arrangement of the flax indicates carefulness. Her household duties provide both a cover story and the very means of protection, showing how the ordinary can be instrumental in divine plans. This highlights that God can work through the seemingly mundane aspects of our lives.
• Faith in Action: Her immediate physical acts of leading, hiding, and concealing (all active verbs in the Hebrew) showcase a "faith that works" (Jas 2:25), proving that her earlier confession of God's sovereignty was not empty words but a deep conviction translated into tangible, life-saving deeds.

Joshua 2 6 Commentary

Joshua 2:6 vividly portrays Rahab's pivotal role in aiding the Israelite spies, not through passive agreement but through swift, decisive, and even deceptive action. Her ability to anticipate the king's men and pre-emptively hide the spies demonstrates profound quick-wittedness and courage. The specific detail of her using "stalks of flax" that were "laid in order on the roof" is significant. This was not a pre-planned escape route but an opportunistic and resourceful use of common household items and activities to create an effective disguise. Drying flax was a normal and visible chore, rendering the roof a plausible, unsuspicious location.

This act, while involving deception, is affirmed in scripture (Heb 11:31, Jas 2:25) as an act of genuine faith. It underscores that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but leads to concrete, risky actions to align with God's purposes. Rahab's willingness to betray her own people and lie to their authorities stems from her profound conviction about the God of Israel and His impending conquest, which she had confessed in the preceding verses. This verse exemplifies God's use of seemingly unconventional agents and ordinary circumstances to achieve His extraordinary plans, securing the path for His people's entry into the promised land.