Joshua 2:3

KJV

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Jericho {H3405} sent {H7971} unto Rahab {H7343}, saying {H559}, Bring forth {H3318} the men {H582} that are come {H935} to thee, which are entered {H935} into thine house {H1004}: for they be come {H935} to search out {H2658} all the country {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king of Yericho sent a message to Rachav, "Bring out the men who came to you and are staying in your house, because they have come to reconnoiter all the land."

Berean Standard Bible

So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.”

American Standard Version

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, that are entered into thy house; for they are come to search out all the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:3 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, specifically detailing the immediate and authoritative response of the king of Jericho upon learning of the presence of Israelite spies within his city. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between royal authority and Rahab's burgeoning faith, compelling her to make a crucial decision that would determine her destiny and significantly impact the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the opening narrative of the Book of Joshua, following the death of Moses and Joshua's assumption of leadership. Joshua, acting on divine instruction and strategic foresight, dispatches two spies from Shittim to reconnoiter Jericho, the first major city Israel is to conquer upon entering the Promised Land ([Joshua 2:1](/joshua/2-1 "Joshua 2:1 - Spies Sent to Jericho")). These spies find refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot whose dwelling is strategically located within the city wall. Joshua 2:3 directly follows the spies' arrival and precedes Rahab's courageous act of deception and protection ([Joshua 2:4-7](/joshua/2-4 "Joshua 2:4-7 - Rahab Hides the Spies")), which ultimately leads to her covenant with the spies and her family's salvation from the impending destruction of Jericho ([Joshua 2:12-21](/joshua/2-12 "Joshua 2:12-21 - Rahab's Covenant with the Spies")). The king's swift action underscores the immediate tension and high stakes of the spies' mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Late Bronze Age Canaan, a region characterized by independent city-states, each ruled by its own king. Jericho, as an ancient and heavily fortified city, would have maintained a vigilant watch against external threats, especially given the widespread reports of Israel's miraculous exodus from Egypt and their recent victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og east of the Jordan ([Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel Defeats Sihon and Og")). The king's immediate intelligence about the spies suggests an efficient internal security or surveillance system, perhaps aided by local informants or watchmen. Rahab's profession as a harlot might have placed her house in a location that was both frequented by strangers and potentially under observation, making it a natural place for the spies to seek refuge, yet also a place where their presence would quickly be noted by authorities.
* **Key Themes:** The king's swift and decisive action in Joshua 2:3 highlights several key themes central to the book. Firstly, it emphasizes **Jericho's Vigilance and Fear**, demonstrating that the Canaanite inhabitants were keenly aware of the Israelite threat and deeply apprehensive about their advance, a fear explicitly articulated by Rahab herself later in the chapter ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith and Fear")). Secondly, the verse immediately establishes **Rahab's Perilous Position**, placing her in direct conflict between the powerful authority of her city's king and her burgeoning faith in the God of Israel, forcing her to make an immediate and dangerous choice. Thirdly, it subtly underscores the theme of **Divine Orchestration**, as even the king's attempt to thwart the Israelite mission inadvertently serves God's larger plan by precipitating Rahab's definitive act of faith, which ultimately leads to her salvation and incorporation into the covenant community of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"sent" (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** This verb signifies a formal, authoritative dispatch, indicating that the king's command was not a casual request but a royal decree, carrying the full weight of his governmental power. It implies an urgent and official summons.
* **"search out" (Hebrew, _tur'_):** More than merely "look" or "see," this verb implies a thorough exploration, investigation, or reconnaissance. It suggests the spies' purpose was not merely to pass through but to gather intelligence, map the territory, and assess its defenses. The king accurately perceives the strategic intent behind their presence.
* **"country" (Hebrew, _'eretz'_):** While the spies were in Jericho, the king understood their mission extended beyond the city walls. This term refers to the broader land or territory, indicating the king's awareness that the Israelite presence was part of a larger strategic objective to conquer the entire region, not just Jericho.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the locus of power and the direct nature of the confrontation. The king's action is swift and authoritative, demonstrating his awareness of the spies' presence and his intent to neutralize the threat. The direct address to Rahab singles her out as the one harboring the enemies.
* **"Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house:"**: This is a precise and unequivocal demand. The king possesses accurate intelligence regarding the spies' location and their host. This specificity heightens the tension for Rahab, as she is directly implicated and her complicity is known to the highest authority in the city.
* **"for they be come to search out all the country."**: This final clause provides the king's justification for his demand. He understands the strategic nature of the spies' mission—they are not mere travelers but agents of an invading army, engaged in reconnaissance to prepare for a full-scale conquest. This reveals the king's perception of the serious threat posed by the Israelites.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the king's demand immediately sets the stage for Rahab's pivotal choice, hinting at the dramatic events that will unfold as she defies royal authority. **Dramatic Irony** is present in the king's actions; while he intends to thwart God's plan by apprehending the spies, his very demand forces Rahab into a position where she must choose, and her choice ultimately serves to advance God's purposes. The swift, direct command also establishes immediate **Conflict** and **Tension**, pitting the established power of the king against the vulnerable position of Rahab, thereby creating a sense of urgency and danger that propels the narrative forward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:3, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance. It illustrates the pervasive reality of opposition to God's divine plan, as represented by the king of Jericho's attempt to thwart Israel's mission. Yet, it simultaneously underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even human resistance can be unwittingly woven into the fabric of His overarching redemptive purposes. The king's demand serves as a direct catalyst for Rahab's act of faith, forcing her to choose between loyalty to her earthly king and allegiance to the God of Israel, whose power she had come to acknowledge. Her subsequent actions, born out of this critical juncture, are celebrated in the New Testament as exemplary faith and works.

* [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith Commended")
* [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith Demonstrated by Works")
* [Joshua 2:9](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9 - Rahab's Confession of God's Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's work in the world often faces direct opposition from established powers, systems, or cultural norms that resist His kingdom. Like Rahab, we may find ourselves in situations where loyalty to God conflicts with the demands of the world. In such moments, our faith is tested, and our choices reveal where our ultimate allegiance lies. The king's accurate assessment of the spies' mission—to "search out all the country"—can also serve as a spiritual metaphor: the world often perceives the church and its mission as a threat to its dominion, precisely because the gospel seeks to claim "all the country" (all of life, all nations) for God. Despite this opposition, God continues to use unexpected people and circumstances, even the vulnerable and marginalized, to advance His sovereign will. We are called to trust in His unwavering plan, knowing that no earthly power can ultimately thwart His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we respond when our faith or God's purposes are met with direct opposition from worldly authorities or cultural pressures?**
* **In what ways might God be using seemingly ordinary or unexpected individuals and circumstances today to advance His kingdom?**
* **What choices are we making when caught between the demands of human systems and the call of divine obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why was the king so quick to know about the spies?**

Answer: Jericho was a strategically vital and heavily fortified city, and its king would have maintained a robust intelligence network. Given the widespread fear of the approaching Israelites, who had already demonstrated their power against other kingdoms ([Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Defeat of Sihon and Og")), any foreign presence, especially two men, would have been immediately suspicious. Rahab's house, being on the city wall, might have been a visible location, and the movement of strangers within the city would likely have been reported by watchmen or vigilant citizens, leading to the king's swift and accurate information.

**What does "harlot" imply about Rahab's social standing and the king's expectation?**

Answer: The term "harlot" (Hebrew, _zonah_) indicates Rahab's marginalized social status. While her profession might have made her house a place where strangers could blend in more easily, it also meant she likely had little social power or standing. The king's direct command to her probably reflects an expectation of immediate compliance, assuming she would be easily intimidated and would prioritize self-preservation over harboring enemies of the state. This makes her subsequent act of defiance and faith all the more remarkable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The confrontation in Joshua 2:3, where an earthly king attempts to thwart God's plan, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The king of Jericho's futile opposition foreshadows the world's persistent, yet ultimately powerless, resistance to God's ultimate kingdom. Just as the spies came to "search out all the country" in preparation for Israel's conquest, Jesus Christ came into the world to "seek and to save the lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Seeks the Lost")), preparing the way for the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The king's demand for the spies to be "brought forth" can be seen in stark contrast to Christ's mission to draw all people to Himself, even those on the margins. Rahab, a Gentile and a harlot, is a powerful type of the Gentile inclusion into God's covenant family through faith, a theme fully realized in the New Covenant. Her salvation, despite her past and against the will of her earthly ruler, points directly to the radical grace offered through Christ, who extends salvation to all who believe, regardless of their background or previous allegiances ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Rahab's faith, which saved her and her household, prefigures the salvation available to all who put their trust in the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who overcomes all opposition and brings His people into the promised inheritance ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.