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Joshua 2:15

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Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house [was] upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

Then she let them down {H3381} by a cord {H2256} through {H1157} the window {H2474}: for her house {H1004} was upon the town {H7023} wall {H2346}, and she dwelt {H3427} upon the wall {H2346}.

Then she lowered them by a rope through the window; since her house abutted the city wall, indeed was actually built into it.

Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window, since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city.

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

Commentary

Joshua 2:15 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelite spies in Jericho, detailing how Rahab facilitated their escape. This verse highlights Rahab's strategic location and decisive action, which were crucial for the spies' survival and ultimately, for her own household's salvation.

Context

This verse takes place as the Israelites, led by Joshua, prepare to enter the Promised Land. Before the main invasion, Joshua sent two spies to scout the formidable city of Jericho, the first major stronghold they were to conquer (Joshua 2:1). Upon their arrival, they sought refuge in the house of Rahab, a harlot. When the king of Jericho learned of their presence, he demanded their surrender. Rahab, however, hid them and then, as described in this verse, devised their escape. Her house was uniquely situated directly on the city wall, making it an ideal, albeit risky, exit point for the spies to evade detection from the city guards below and within the gates.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Protection: Even in a hostile city, God's hand is evident in guiding the spies to Rahab and providing a means of escape through her house's unusual location. This demonstrates God's sovereign oversight of His people's mission.
  • Rahab's Faith and Action: This verse is a testament to Rahab's active faith. Having heard of the God of Israel's power, she chose to side with His people, risking her life and reputation. Her action of letting them down by a cord was not passive but a deliberate and dangerous act of obedience to her newfound conviction, a faith later commended in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).
  • Strategic Positioning: The detail that "her house was upon the town wall" is not incidental. It underscores the critical importance of geographical and architectural features in God's plan. This unique placement allowed for a secret departure that would have been impossible from a house within the city's interior.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cord" is chevel (חֶבֶל), which typically refers to a rope or line. The simple description emphasizes the practical, common means used for this extraordinary escape. The phrase "upon the town wall" directly translates the Hebrew, highlighting the dwelling's precarious yet advantageous position. This detail is essential for understanding the logistics of the spies' evasion.

Practical Application

Joshua 2:15 reminds us that God can use unexpected people and circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Rahab, an outsider and a harlot, became an instrument of divine preservation and a recipient of God's grace, even being included in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Unconventional Methods: God often works through means and individuals we might overlook or deem unlikely.
  • Act on Faith: Rahab's faith was demonstrated through her risky actions. True faith is not just belief, but also a willingness to act in accordance with that belief, even when it demands courage and sacrifice.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty in Details: Even seemingly minor details, like the location of a house, can be part of God's overarching plan for salvation and deliverance.

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

  • Acts 9:25 (4 votes)

    Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:33 (3 votes)

    And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

  • Joshua 6:20 (2 votes)

    So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

  • 1 Samuel 19:12 (2 votes)

    So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

  • 1 Samuel 19:17 (2 votes)

    And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?