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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H582} pursued {H7291} after {H310} them the way {H1870} to Jordan {H3383} unto the fords {H4569}: and as soon as they which pursued {H7291} after {H310} them were gone out {H3318}, they shut {H5462} the gate {H8179}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The men pursued them all the way to the fords at the Yarden; as soon as the pursuit party had left, the gate was shut.

Berean Standard Bible

So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:7 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelite spies in Jericho, detailing the immediate and urgent pursuit by the city's guards toward the Jordan River fords, following Rahab's deceptive redirection. Crucially, the verse highlights the precise timing of the city gate's closure, which occurred immediately after the pursuers exited, inadvertently securing the city while simultaneously ensuring the spies remained safely hidden within its walls under Rahab's protection, thus setting the stage for their eventual escape and the fulfillment of God's strategic plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the opening chapter of the book of Joshua, which details Israel's preparation to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, it follows directly from [Joshua 2:4-6](/joshua/2-4 "Joshua 2:4-6 - Rahab Hides the Spies") where Rahab, a harlot of Jericho, hides the two Israelite spies sent by Joshua and then misdirects the king's search party. The immediate action of this verse—the pursuit and the gate closure—is the direct consequence of Rahab's quick thinking and deceptive words. It sets up the subsequent events where the spies remain hidden for three days before their escape and return to Joshua, providing crucial intelligence about the morale of Jericho's inhabitants. The entire chapter emphasizes God's providential hand guiding the initial steps of the conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was an ancient, heavily fortified Canaanite city, strategically located near a major east-west trade route and the Jordan River. City gates, like the one mentioned, were not merely entry points but formidable defensive structures, typically massive and reinforced, serving as the primary control point for all access. Their immediate closure at dusk or during an alarm was a standard security procedure for ancient cities, signifying a state of heightened alert and an attempt to secure the populace from external threats. The "fords of Jordan" (מַעְבְּרוֹת, _ma'abarot_) refer to the known shallow crossing points of the river, which would have been the most logical and fastest escape route for anyone fleeing Jericho towards the east, making them a natural target for the pursuers. The Canaanites, as evidenced later in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - The Fear of the Lord on the Canaanites"), were already terrified of the approaching Israelites due to reports of God's mighty acts, making their swift and serious response to perceived invaders understandable.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:7 subtly underscores several significant themes. First, it highlights **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates events, even through human deception and seemingly mundane actions like closing a city gate, to achieve His ultimate purposes. The timing of the gate closure, immediately after the pursuers left, was critical for the spies' safety, illustrating God's unseen hand protecting His agents. Second, the verse showcases the theme of **Strategic Deception and Faith**, as Rahab's cunning act, rooted in her burgeoning faith in the God of Israel, directly leads to the events of this verse, proving pivotal for the spies' mission and her own salvation, as later recognized in [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith"). Finally, it emphasizes the **Importance of Timing**, where the precise sequence of events—the pursuers leaving, followed by the immediate gate closure—is presented as crucial. Had the gate been shut earlier, the spies might have been discovered; had it been delayed, the pursuers might have returned. This precision points to a divine choreography at play, ensuring the success of Israel's reconnaissance mission and foreshadowing the eventual fall of Jericho, as described in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fords (Hebrew, _ma'abarot'_):** This plural noun (מַעְבְּרוֹת) refers to "crossing places" or "fords," specifically shallow points in a river where it is possible to traverse on foot or by vehicle. In the context of the Jordan River, these were well-known and strategically important locations, serving as the primary routes for travel and escape across the natural barrier. The pursuers heading "unto the fords" indicates their logical assumption of the spies' escape route, based on Rahab's misleading information, highlighting the strategic geography of the region.
* **Gate (Hebrew, _sha'ar'_):** The word שַׁעַר (_sha'ar_) denotes a city gate, which was the most critical defensive feature of any ancient walled city. It served as the primary point of entry and exit, controlled by guards, and was often the strongest part of the city's fortifications. Its closure signified the city's intent to secure itself against external threats, to control movement, and to maintain internal order. The immediate shutting of Jericho's gate underscores the city's heightened state of alarm and its attempt to seal itself off from perceived danger, inadvertently trapping the spies inside but also securing their immediate safety from external pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords:"** This clause describes the immediate and vigorous response of Jericho's authorities. Based on Rahab's calculated deception, the king's men set off in the most logical direction for anyone attempting to flee Jericho towards the east—the crossing points of the Jordan River. The phrase "the way to Jordan unto the fords" specifies the precise route and destination of their pursuit, indicating a serious and urgent attempt to apprehend the perceived invaders. This action, though futile, highlights the effectiveness of Rahab's misdirection.
* **"and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out,"** This crucial phrase emphasizes the precise and immediate timing of the subsequent action. The pursuit party had just cleared the city gates, indicating that the city's security personnel waited until the last of their own men had exited before taking the decisive step of sealing off the city. This detail underscores the meticulousness of the city's defense protocols and sets the stage for the dramatic irony that follows.
* **"they shut the gate."** This final clause describes the decisive action taken by the city's defenders. The closing of the massive city gate was a standard procedure for securing a walled city, especially during times of alarm or at nightfall. In this context, it signifies Jericho's attempt to protect itself from the perceived threat of the Israelite spies. However, in a profound act of divine irony, this very action, intended to secure the city against its enemies, inadvertently secured the spies *within* the city, protecting them from further external pursuit and facilitating their eventual escape, all according to God's overarching plan.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Joshua 2:7 is rich with several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. **Dramatic Irony** is prominently featured, as the reader is fully aware that the spies are safely hidden within Jericho, while the characters involved in the pursuit and gate closure (the king's men and the gatekeepers) remain ignorant of this fact. Their actions, intended to secure the city against the spies, paradoxically ensure the spies' immediate safety from external detection. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation for the reader. **Foreshadowing** is also present; the ease with which the spies are concealed and the city's defensive actions are subtly outmaneuvered hints at Jericho's ultimate vulnerability and its destined fall. The precise timing ("as soon as") also creates a strong sense of **Pacing and Urgency**, conveying the immediate and decisive nature of the events, drawing the reader into the high-stakes situation. Furthermore, there's an element of **Situational Irony**, where the outcome of the gate closure is the exact opposite of its intended purpose from the perspective of Jericho's defenders, serving instead to protect the very individuals they sought to apprehend.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:7 powerfully illustrates the intricate interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. While Rahab's cunning and the city's defensive actions appear to be purely human endeavors, the precise timing and outcome of these events reveal God's unseen hand orchestrating circumstances for His purposes. The shutting of the gate, intended to secure Jericho, inadvertently secures the spies, demonstrating God's providential care for His people and His mission. This highlights a profound theological truth: God can use ordinary events, the decisions of individuals (even those with morally complex actions like Rahab's deception), and the actions of His adversaries to advance His perfect will. It reassures believers that even in chaotic or dangerous situations, God remains in control, working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

* [Psalm 121:7](/psalm/121-7 "Psalm 121:7 - The Lord Will Keep You From All Evil")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Can Avail Against the Lord")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's providence often operates in ways we don't immediately perceive, turning seemingly ordinary or even adverse circumstances into opportunities for His divine plan to unfold. Just as the closing of Jericho's gate, intended for defense, inadvertently secured the spies, so too can God use the mundane, the unexpected, or even the challenging moments of our lives to advance His purposes and protect His people. We are called to trust in His overarching sovereignty, even when the immediate circumstances seem confusing or contrary to our expectations. This encourages us to look beyond surface events and discern God's hand at work, fostering a deeper faith that finds security not in human strategies or fortifications, but in the unfailing wisdom and protection of the Almighty. It challenges us to consider how our own actions, even those seemingly small or imperfect, might be woven into God's larger tapestry of redemption and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the unfolding of God's plans?**
* **In what ways have you personally experienced God's "unseen hand" at work, turning a seemingly negative or coincidental event into a moment of divine provision or protection?**
* **What does Rahab's story, culminating in this moment of precise timing, teach us about the nature of faith and courage, even when expressed through unconventional or morally ambiguous means?**

### FAQ

**Why did the pursuers go to the fords of Jordan specifically?**

Answer: The pursuers went to the fords of Jordan because Rahab, in her strategic deception, explicitly told the king's men that the spies had left the city and headed towards the Jordan River, implying they would cross at the shallowest points, or "fords." This was a logical and common escape route for anyone fleeing Jericho towards the east. The city's authorities, unaware of Rahab's lie, followed this credible lead, believing it was the most likely direction for the spies to take to escape the region, as described in [Joshua 2:5](/joshua/2-5 "Joshua 2:5 - Rahab's Deception").

**Was Rahab's deception (lying to the king's men) justified from a theological perspective?**

Answer: Rahab's deception is a complex ethical issue that biblical scholars have debated. While the Bible consistently condemns lying (e.g., [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")), Rahab's action is presented within the context of protecting God's agents and aligning herself with God's people against a wicked, condemned nation. The New Testament commends Rahab's faith, not her deception, as seen in [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith") and [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Justification by Works"). The narrative highlights God's ability to work through imperfect human means and circumstances, including morally complex decisions, to achieve His righteous purposes. The focus is on her faith that led her to side with God's people, rather than an endorsement of lying as a general principle.

**What is the significance of the city gate being shut immediately after the pursuers left?**

Answer: The immediate shutting of the gate is highly significant on multiple levels. From a human perspective, it was a standard and necessary security measure for a fortified city like Jericho, especially during a perceived threat. It sealed off the city, preventing further entry or exit. However, from a divine perspective, the timing was providential. By shutting the gate immediately after the pursuers had gone out, the city inadvertently secured the spies *inside* Jericho, protecting them from any further external pursuit or discovery by those who had just left. This precise sequence of events ensured the spies' safety within Rahab's house until their planned escape, demonstrating God's meticulous oversight and protection over His mission and His agents, even through the actions of His adversaries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane act of a city gate closing in Joshua 2:7, orchestrated by divine providence, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Rahab, a Gentile harlot, through her faith and actions, becomes an instrument in God's plan, ultimately securing the safety of the spies who represent the vanguard of God's covenant people entering the Promised Land. This foreshadows the radical inclusion of Gentiles into God's redemptive plan through Christ, as Rahab herself is later honored in the genealogy of Jesus ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")). Just as the physical gate of Jericho was shut, seemingly for security but ultimately to serve God's purpose for His people, so too does Christ become the ultimate "gate" or "door" through whom humanity finds salvation and true security ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Gate")). He is the ultimate "way" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) by which humanity escapes the pursuit of sin and death, leading to the true Promised Land of eternal life. The protection afforded to the spies within Jericho, despite the city's hostility, points to the ultimate spiritual security found in Christ, who shelters His people from the wrath to come and ensures their safe passage into God's eternal kingdom.

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

Judges 3:28

And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

Joshua 2:5

And it came to pass [about the time] of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

Acts 5:23

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Judges 12:5

And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was [so], that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, [Art] thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;