Joshua 2:8 kjv

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Joshua 2:8 nkjv

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,

Joshua 2:8 niv

Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof

Joshua 2:8 esv

Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof

Joshua 2:8 nlt

Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.

Joshua 2 verses

Joshua 2 8 Meaning

Joshua 2:8 describes a critical moment when Rahab, just before the Israelite spies were about to rest for the night, initiated contact with them. She ascended to the rooftop, where they were hidden among flax stalks, signaling her urgent intent to speak with them. This precise timing underscored the crucial nature of the impending conversation and Rahab’s proactive commitment to their safety and her own future.

Joshua 2 8 Context

Joshua chapter 2 narrates the mission of two Israelite spies sent by Joshua to reconnoiter the city of Jericho. Upon arrival, they found refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot. When their presence became known to the king of Jericho, Rahab shrewdly hid them amongst stalks of flax on her rooftop, providing plausible deniability to the pursuing guards. Verse 8 describes Rahab’s immediate follow-up action after the king’s men had departed, initiating a critical conversation. Historically and culturally, ancient Near Eastern homes, including those in Canaan, frequently featured flat rooftops. These spaces were practical for various uses: drying crops like flax, social gatherings, relaxation, and at times, even sleeping. Rahab's choice of the roof as a hiding place was strategically sound, and her ascent to speak with the spies there was a deliberate and vital step in their survival and her own redemption.

Joshua 2 8 Word analysis

• "Now" (וְטֶ֣רֶם, ve-terem): A conjunctive adverb meaning "and before" or "and not yet." It connects Rahab’s action directly to the preceding events, indicating an immediate consequence or follow-up. It signifies urgency and continuity within the narrative flow.
• "before they lay down" (טֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁכָּב֗וּ, terem yishkavu): "Terem" (before) highlights the critical and narrow window of opportunity. "Yishkavu" from "shakav" (to lie down, rest) indicates their imminent sleep. Rahab’s quick action, before they settled for the night, was pivotal; any delay could have jeopardized her opportunity to speak with them and secure her future.
• "she came up" (הִיא עָלְתָה, hi al'tah): From the verb "alah" (to go up, ascend). This describes Rahab’s intentional movement. Her physical ascent to the rooftop, where the spies were hidden, demonstrates her purposeful resolve to engage them directly and initiate a crucial dialogue.
• "to them" (אֲלֵיהֶם, aleihem): Specifies the direct objects of Rahab's initiative. Her focus was clearly on the spies, indicating her intent to communicate directly and establish a relationship or covenant with these representatives of Israel.
• "on the roof" (עַל־הַגָּ֑ג, al-hagag): "Gag" (roof) refers to the flat rooftop, a common feature of ancient Near Eastern homes, previously identified as their hiding spot. This location served not only for concealment but also became the private and strategic venue for the ensuing, life-altering conversation, showcasing Rahab's resourcefulness.

Words-group analysis

• "Now before they lay down": This phrase captures the intense urgency and strategic timing of Rahab’s intervention. It illustrates her quick thinking and proactiveness, seizing a narrow window to secure a covenant with the Israelite spies before external circumstances or the natural course of events could prevent it. This reflects her determination rooted in her nascent faith in the God of Israel.
• "she came up to them on the roof": This precise description of Rahab’s movement and location highlights her deliberate and courageous action. The rooftop, serving first as a clandestine hiding place, transforms into the exclusive setting for a pivotal discussion, demonstrating Rahab’s ingenuity in creating an opportune and secure environment for a private, critical exchange that would determine her and her family's fate.

Joshua 2 8 Bonus section

The scene on the roof in Jericho provides a striking contrast between the collapsing pagan society and the emergence of true faith. Rahab, an individual from a deeply idolatrous city, demonstrates courage and conviction surpassing her fellow citizens. Her actions, stemming from her belief in Yahweh's power, serve as a testament that God's grace extends beyond the boundaries of Israel. The rooftop, often a space for mundane activities or even public exposure, here becomes a sacred meeting place where a covenant is implicitly forged, underscoring that God can use the most unlikely individuals and settings to advance His purposes and rescue His people. Rahab’s inclusion in the lineage of Christ (Matt 1:5) begins its prophetic unfolding in verses like this, as her active faith sets in motion a chain of redemptive events.

Joshua 2 8 Commentary

Joshua 2:8 marks a critical juncture in the narrative, portraying Rahab's proactive and strategic engagement with the Israelite spies. Immediately after the Jericho guards had departed, and just as the spies were about to rest, Rahab ascended to the rooftop. This immediate and deliberate action signifies her conviction and the urgent importance she placed on initiating a conversation with the spies. The rooftop, previously a clever hiding place, became the designated and private venue for Rahab to make her crucial declaration of faith and plead for her family's deliverance. This moment underscores her intelligence, bravery, and a burgeoning belief in the God of Israel, setting the stage for the redemptive covenant that follows and her pivotal role in God's plan.