Joshua 2:7 kjv

And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

Joshua 2:7 nkjv

Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Joshua 2:7 niv

So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

Joshua 2:7 esv

So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.

Joshua 2:7 nlt

So the king's men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king's men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 7 Meaning

This verse details the intense pursuit by Jericho's royal guards of the Israelite spies, following them along the strategic route toward the fords of the Jordan River. Immediately after the pursuers exited the city, the gates of Jericho were sealed. This action signifies the swift, decisive, yet ultimately futile, efforts of the local authorities to capture the spies, while highlighting the tight security measures of the city and providentially aiding the spies' escape and concealment by ensuring no one else could easily enter or exit the city.

Joshua 2 7 Context

Joshua chapter 2 serves as a pivotal introduction to the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically focusing on Jericho. Joshua sends two spies to reconnoiter the land and the city. These spies take refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot whose house is built into the city wall. The king of Jericho, hearing of the spies' presence, sends men to apprehend them. Rahab, demonstrating faith in the God of Israel, hides the spies and misleads the king's pursuers. This verse describes the diligent pursuit of the king's men, who are dispatched specifically towards the Jordan River fords, a logical escape route for anyone fleeing Jericho eastward. Their departure from the city is immediately followed by the shutting of the city gate, a routine security measure, but one that further highlights the effectiveness of Rahab's misdirection, as the spies remain safe within the city (hidden by Rahab), unknown to the exiting pursuers who assume they've fled. Historically, this occurs as the Israelites, after 40 years in the wilderness, are poised to enter the Promised Land, facing their first major stronghold, Jericho. The inhabitants of Canaan were aware of Israel's journey and God's powerful deeds, leading to a palpable fear and low morale among them (Josh 2:9-11), which Rahab explicitly confesses.

Joshua 2 7 Word analysis

• And the men (וְהָאֲנָשִׁים - v'ha'anashim): Refers to the specific detachment of men sent by the King of Jericho (Josh 2:3). These are royal agents, indicating the high priority and official nature of the pursuit. Their designation underscores their purpose.
• pursued after them (רָדְפוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶם - radphu achareihem): The verb radaph signifies an eager, active, and relentless chase, often implying hostile intent. It conveys the diligence and urgency with which the Jerichoites sought to apprehend the spies, reflecting the fear of Israel's impending arrival.
• the way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): Denotes a specific road or path. It implies that the pursuers took a recognized, direct route, confirming the strategic importance and predictability of this escape path.
• to the Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayarden): Refers to the Jordan River, a significant natural barrier and a critical escape route for those fleeing Jericho eastward towards Moab or Ammon.
• unto the fords (עַל־הַמַּעְבְּרוֹת - al-hama'barot): The ma'barot (fords) were shallow, traversable crossing points of the Jordan River. These were well-known strategic choke points, vital for travel and military movements. Targeting these fords shows the king's accurate assessment of where the spies would likely attempt to cross.
• and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out (וְהַשַּׁעַר נִסְגָּר - v'hasha'ar nisgar following k'y'tzei h'rodpim otoh which refers to "when the pursuers had gone out"): The Hebrew indicates a direct sequence: the pursuers went out, and immediately the gate was shut. This rapid action underscores the city's alertness and its routine for security at nightfall or during an emergency.
• the gate (וְהַשַּׁעַר - v'hasha'ar): The city gate was Jericho's primary point of controlled access and defense. Its closure was a standard security procedure, isolating the city from external threats and confirming that the search extended outside its walls.
• was shut (נִסְגָּר - nisgar): A Niphal imperfect verb, signifying a completed action: "it was closed." This implies a definitive sealing off of the city, both preventing anyone else from entering and from easily exiting again until morning.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords": This phrase paints a clear picture of a determined, strategically directed chase. It demonstrates the pursuers' accurate estimation of the spies' most probable objective if they truly intended to escape the area. This route was the only feasible direct path across the formidable Jordan River.
• "as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, the gate was shut": This critically important sequence of events highlights the precision of Rahab's plan and God's providence. The closing of the gate secured the city, sealing off entry and exit for the night, confirming to the king's men that the "fugitives" (whom they believed had escaped) were now out of reach beyond the gate. Meanwhile, the real spies remained safe within the walls, concealed from both external pursuers and any lingering internal search, having never actually left the city by the main gate. This sequence locks down Jericho, paradoxically ensuring the spies' hidden safety within.

Joshua 2 7 Bonus section

• The "fords of Jordan" were more than just shallow crossings; they were crucial strategic locations, frequently mentioned in Old Testament military engagements (e.g., Judg 3:28, 7:24) as points of control or ambush. Knowing these points were the target confirms the intelligent (but ultimately flawed) thinking of Jericho's leadership.
• The tight security demonstrated by the rapid gate closure would naturally lull the city's inhabitants into a false sense of security regarding infiltration. This unwittingly benefited the spies who were already within.
• This verse contributes to the narrative tension by emphasizing the immediate danger the spies were in and the narrow window of opportunity that Rahab's actions provided, ultimately ensuring their safety. It sets the stage for the dramatic and miraculous crossing of the Jordan in Chapter 3, for which the spies' report would be vital.
• The "deception" by Rahab, though morally complex, is presented in scripture not as an endorsement of deceit but as an act of faith (Heb 11:31, Jas 2:25) that aligns with God's ultimate salvific plan for His people. The narrative focuses on the outcome — God's protection and fulfillment of promise — rather than commending the method itself.

Joshua 2 7 Commentary

Joshua 2:7 concisely illustrates the intricate working of God's providence, even through the human agents of both faith and opposition. The zealous pursuit by the men of Jericho underscores their king's fear and their diligence, deploying them along the most logical escape route to the fords of the Jordan. This shows a rational, military response, yet it is utterly misdirected. Rahab's act of hiding the spies and misinforming the authorities directly leads to this fruitless chase. The subsequent immediate shutting of the city gate, a normal security procedure for a besieged or threatened city, acts as an unwitting divine protection for the spies. It ensures that the external pursuers are no longer a direct threat within the city and simultaneously prevents further casual investigation inside, securing the spies' concealment high on Rahab's house built into the wall. The futility of human endeavor against God's sovereign plan is vividly displayed; all human efforts to capture the spies, no matter how earnest or well-strategized, merely serve to protect and facilitate God's purpose for Israel. This moment builds suspense while showcasing the dramatic power of seemingly ordinary actions (a gate closing) being divinely orchestrated to serve extraordinary ends.