Joshua 2:24

KJV

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559} unto Joshua {H3091}, Truly {H3588} the LORD {H3068} hath delivered {H5414} into our hands {H3027} all the land {H776}; for even all the inhabitants {H3427} of the country {H776} do faint {H4127} because {H6440} of us.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Truly ADONAI has handed over all the land to us," they told Y'hoshua. "Everyone in the land is terrified that we're coming."

Berean Standard Bible

“The LORD has surely delivered the entire land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of us.”

American Standard Version

And they said unto Joshua, Truly Jehovah hath delivered into our hands all the land; and moreover all the inhabitants of the land do melt away before us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The two spies, returning from their mission to Jericho, deliver a pivotal report to Joshua, affirming that the LORD has indeed delivered the entire land of Canaan into Israel's hands. Their confident declaration is substantiated by the widespread and paralyzing fear gripping all the inhabitants of the country, a clear sign of God's preceding work. This crucial intelligence serves as a powerful confirmation of God's promises and provides the essential encouragement needed for Joshua and the Israelites to proceed with the impending conquest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to the reconnaissance mission of the two spies dispatched by Joshua into Jericho. It immediately follows their perilous escape from Rahab's house and their safe return to the Israelite camp (Joshua 2:23). Their report directly validates Rahab's earlier confession of overwhelming fear among the Canaanites (Joshua 2:9-11), reinforcing the supernatural element of the impending conquest. The spies' confident declaration of God's active hand in delivering the land sets the stage for Joshua's immediate preparations for the invasion of Jericho, detailed in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan"). This affirmation of divine assistance is crucial for Joshua, who has just assumed leadership from Moses and faces the daunting task of conquering Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the plains of Moab, with the Israelites poised to cross the Jordan River into Canaan, a land inhabited by established city-states with fortified defenses. The Canaanites were a diverse group of peoples, known for their polytheistic worship, often involving idolatry, cultic prostitution, and child sacrifice, practices abhorrent to Yahweh. The fear described in the verse was not merely natural apprehension but a profound, divinely orchestrated dread, amplified by reports of Yahweh's mighty acts, such as the [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") and the recent defeat of the Amorite kings Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35). This psychological warfare was a key component of God's strategy for conquest, as promised in [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - God's Promise of Dread"). The spies' report confirms that this divine terror had already begun to paralyze the enemy.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:24 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Joshua. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment of Promise**, as God's commitment to give Israel the land, initially made to Abraham and reiterated to Joshua in [Joshua 1:3](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - God's Promise of the Land"), is shown to be actively unfolding. Secondly, it highlights the **Sovereignty and Power of Yahweh**, demonstrating that the conquest is not merely a military endeavor but a divinely orchestrated victory, where God Himself fights for Israel by instilling fear in their enemies. This fear is a manifestation of God's reputation, built on His past mighty acts (e.g., [Exodus 15:14-16](/exodus/15-14 "Exodus 15:14-16 - The Song of the Sea")). Finally, it serves as a crucial moment of **Encouragement and Validation for Leadership**, specifically for Joshua, who had recently assumed the mantle from Moses. The spies' report provides tangible evidence that God is indeed with him, strengthening his resolve for the daunting task ahead.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This verb, meaning "to give," "to place," or "to put," is used here in a perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. The spies are not expressing a future hope but a present reality from God's perspective. It emphasizes that God has already acted decisively to ensure the outcome, highlighting His divine sovereignty and the certainty of Israel's victory. The land is not merely *about* to be given, but *has already been* placed into their hands by divine decree.
* **Faint (Hebrew, _māgağ'_):** This word literally means "to "melt," "to dissolve," or "to liquefy." It vividly describes a state of utter terror, loss of courage, and the complete dissolution of the will to resist. It implies a psychological and spiritual paralysis, where their hearts have turned to water, rendering them incapable of standing firm against the impending invasion. This strong imagery underscores the profound psychological impact of God's presence and reputation on the enemy, a divinely orchestrated demoralization.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land":** The spies' opening declaration is a statement of confident faith, not a mere observation. The emphatic "Truly" (Hebrew, `kî`, "for, indeed") underscores the certainty of their conviction. They attribute the success not to their own cunning or strength, but unequivocally to "the LORD," recognizing His sovereign hand in the unfolding events. The phrase "delivered into our hands" is a common biblical idiom signifying complete victory and possession, confirming the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel.
* **"for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us":** This clause provides the empirical evidence for their bold declaration. The "fainting" or "melting" of the inhabitants is the observable sign that God has indeed acted. This widespread terror, affecting "all the inhabitants," signifies a comprehensive psychological defeat, orchestrated by God, which precedes the physical conquest. It highlights that the battle was already won in the spiritual realm before the first sword was drawn, due to the terrifying reputation of Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the pervasive and overwhelming fear among the Canaanites, stating "all the inhabitants... do faint," suggesting a universal psychological collapse that might not be literally true for every single individual but conveys the absolute demoralization of the collective. **Metaphor** is subtly present in the Hebrew word for "faint" (`māgağ`), which literally means "to melt" or "dissolve," creating a vivid image of their courage and resolve liquefying under the weight of divine terror. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as the spies' report of the inhabitants' fear anticipates the subsequent, seemingly impossible, victory at Jericho, where the walls fall not by military might but by divine intervention. The entire scene functions as a **Confirmation Narrative**, validating Rahab's earlier testimony and God's prior promises to Joshua, building suspense and confidence for the coming events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:24 stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and His active involvement in the lives of His people. It demonstrates that divine promises are not abstract concepts but tangible realities that God brings to pass through His sovereign power. The fear instilled in the Canaanites serves as a visible sign of God's work, preparing the way for Israel's victory. This principle extends beyond military conquest, affirming that God often goes before His people, softening hearts or removing obstacles, enabling them to accomplish His will. It encourages believers to look for God's hand at work in seemingly insurmountable situations, recognizing that His reputation precedes them and that ultimate victory belongs to Him.

* [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - God's Promise to Instill Fear")
* [Exodus 15:14-16](/exodus/15-14 "Exodus 15:14-16 - Nations Tremble at God's Power")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Our Own Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound encouragement for believers facing daunting challenges today. Just as the spies returned with confirmation of God's prior work, we are called to trust in the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His word. When we embark on tasks that seem too big for us, whether in personal life, ministry, or professional endeavors, we can take courage from the fact that God often prepares the way and weakens the opposition, not through our strength, but through His sovereign power. Our role is to step out in faith, recognizing His hand at work, and attributing all success to Him. This perspective shifts our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power, transforming our anxieties into opportunities to witness His faithfulness and to give Him glory. It reminds us that our battles are often won in the spiritual realm before they are manifested physically, and that God's reputation precedes us, opening doors and softening hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to believe more fully that "the LORD hath delivered" rather than relying on your own strength?**
* **How can recognizing God's reputation and past faithfulness help you overcome current fears or anxieties?**
* **What "fainting" or "melting" of opposition have you witnessed that you can attribute directly to God's intervention?**

### FAQ

**Q: Why was the fear of the Canaanites so significant?**

Answer: The fear of the Canaanites was significant because it served as tangible evidence of God's active involvement in the conquest, fulfilling His earlier promises to Israel (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - God's Promise to Instill Fear")). It wasn't just natural apprehension but a divinely orchestrated psychological warfare that demoralized the enemy before any physical battle. Rahab's confession in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Fear") confirms this widespread dread, which was rooted in the Canaanites' knowledge of Yahweh's mighty acts, particularly the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "The Crossing of the Red Sea") and the defeat of the Amorite kings. This fear demonstrated that the victory was God's, not Israel's, and provided immense encouragement to Joshua and the Israelites.

**Q: How does this verse relate to God's promise to give Israel the land?**

Answer: This verse is a direct confirmation and partial fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land, a promise reiterated to Joshua in [Joshua 1:3](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - God's Promise of the Land"). The spies' declaration, "Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land," is a statement of faith based on the observable reality of the Canaanites' fear. This fear, divinely instilled, was the initial "delivery" of the land into Israel's hands, signaling that the spiritual battle had already been won. It assured Joshua and the people that God was actively working to bring His covenant promises to fruition, setting the stage for the physical conquest that would follow.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:24, with its declaration of God having "delivered into our hands all the land" due to the enemy's "fainting," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory secured by Jesus Christ. Just as the Canaanites' fear was a sign of God's preceding work, so too did Christ's death and resurrection decisively defeat the spiritual powers of darkness, rendering them "faint" and powerless. The "land" of promise for believers is not a geographical territory but the spiritual inheritance of redemption and new life in Christ. Through His cross, Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The fear that gripped the Canaanites is paralleled by the spiritual paralysis of sin and death, which the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") overcame. Our assurance of victory is not based on our strength, but on the finished work of Christ, who has already "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Just as Joshua was encouraged by the spies' report, we are encouraged by the New Testament witness of Christ's triumph, knowing that "greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He in You")). The ultimate "fainting" of the enemy occurred at Calvary, securing our eternal inheritance and making way for our spiritual conquest.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Exodus 15:15

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 21:44

And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

Joshua 21:45

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.