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Joshua 2:1

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¶ And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

And Joshua {H3091} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126} sent {H7971} out of Shittim {H7851} two {H8147} men {H582} to spy {H7270} secretly {H2791}, saying {H559}, Go {H3212} view {H7200} the land {H776}, even Jericho {H3405}. And they went {H3212}, and came {H935} into an harlot's {H2181} house {H802}{H1004}, named {H8034} Rahab {H7343}, and lodged {H7901} there.

Y'hoshua the son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Sheetim with these instructions: "Go, inspect the land and Yericho." They left and came to the house of a prostitute named Rachav, where they spent the night.

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lay there.

Commentary

Joshua 2:1 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, immediately following God's charge to Joshua to be strong and courageous in leading the people. This verse introduces the strategic and divinely orchestrated steps taken before the dramatic fall of Jericho.

Context of Joshua 2:1

After the death of Moses, leadership of the Israelite nation falls to Joshua, the son of Nun. The Israelites are encamped at Shittim, on the plains of Moab, just east of the Jordan River. Their ultimate goal is to enter and possess the Promised Land, beginning with the formidable city of Jericho, strategically located at the entrance to Canaan. Joshua's action here echoes the earlier mission of spies sent by Moses, though with a different outcome, highlighting Joshua's prudent leadership and preparation for the daunting task ahead. Sending two men "secretly" underscores the military intelligence gathering nature of their mission – to assess the land and its primary stronghold, Jericho.

Key Themes and Insights

  • Strategic Preparation: Joshua, acting as a wise military leader, does not rush into battle blindly. Sending spies demonstrates the importance of reconnaissance and careful planning, even when divinely assured of victory. It shows human responsibility in working alongside God's sovereign plan.
  • Divine Providence and Human Action: While God had promised to give Israel the land (Joshua 1:3), Joshua still takes practical steps. This verse illustrates the biblical principle that divine promise often works in conjunction with human effort and obedience.
  • The Introduction of Rahab: The narrative immediately shifts focus to Rahab, a Canaanite harlot. Her house, likely situated on the city wall, would have been a natural place for travelers or spies to lodge, making her an unexpected but crucial figure in the unfolding events. Her subsequent actions reveal a remarkable faith that is later commended in the New Testament, demonstrating God's ability to use anyone, regardless of their background, for His purposes.

Linguistic Nuance

The Hebrew word for "harlot" is zonah (זֹנָה). While it primarily means prostitute, some scholars have suggested it could also refer to an innkeeper or a woman who ran a public house, especially given that spies would naturally seek lodging in such a place. However, the consistent biblical testimony, particularly in the New Testament references to her, identifies her as a harlot (e.g., James 2:25), emphasizing the remarkable nature of her faith and God's grace.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even when we have God's promises, careful and strategic preparation is vital. We are called to act with wisdom and diligence, trusting that God will work through our efforts. Furthermore, the introduction of Rahab teaches us that God's plan often involves unexpected people and circumstances, highlighting His expansive grace and willingness to use anyone who turns to Him in faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:31 (14 votes)

    By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

  • James 2:25 (9 votes)

    Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?

  • Matthew 1:5 (5 votes)

    And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

  • Numbers 25:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

  • Numbers 13:17 (3 votes)

    And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this [way] southward, and go up into the mountain:

  • Numbers 13:21 (3 votes)

    ¶ So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

  • Numbers 13:2 (2 votes)

    Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.