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Joshua 2:4

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And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they [were]:

And the woman {H802} took {H3947} the two {H8147} men {H582}, and hid {H6845} them, and said {H559} thus, There came {H935} men {H582} unto me, but I wist {H3045} not whence {H370} they were:

However, the woman, after taking the two men and hiding them, replied, "Yes, the men did come to me; but I didn't know where they had come from.

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from.

And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I knew not whence they were:

Commentary

Context

Joshua 2:4 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically concerning the city of Jericho. Following the death of Moses, Joshua takes leadership and sends two spies into Jericho to assess the land and its defenses (Joshua 2:1). This verse describes the quick action of Rahab, a harlot living on the city wall, who receives and hides these Israelite spies. The king of Jericho, having learned of the spies' presence, dispatches messengers to Rahab's house, demanding their surrender. Rahab's response in this verse is a deliberate deception, protecting the men from the authorities.

Key Themes

  • Faith and Protection: Rahab's immediate decision to protect the spies demonstrates her burgeoning faith in the God of Israel. Despite her background and position within a pagan city, she had heard of the Lord's mighty works and believed He would give Israel the land (Joshua 2:9-11). This act of faith led her to risk her own life for the spies.
  • Divine Providence: God's plan for the conquest of Jericho unfolds through seemingly unlikely individuals. Rahab, a Gentile and a harlot, becomes an instrument of divine providence, ensuring the safety of the spies and, indirectly, facilitating the eventual fall of Jericho. Her inclusion in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5) and her commendation in the "hall of faith" (Hebrews 11:31) highlight God's inclusive grace.
  • Ethical Complexity and Deception: Rahab's lie ("I wist not whence they were") presents a moral dilemma. While the Bible commends her faith and action in protecting the spies, it does not explicitly endorse the deception itself. Commentators often view this as a situation where Rahab chose the lesser of two evils, prioritizing the lives of God's servants over strict adherence to truth in a hostile environment, or that God honored her faith despite the flawed method. The ultimate focus is on her courageous obedience to a higher call.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hid them" comes from the Hebrew word tsaphan (צָפַן), which means "to hide, conceal, store up." This implies a deliberate and careful act of concealment, not a casual oversight. Rahab intentionally and strategically concealed the spies. Her claim "I wist not whence they [were]" uses the Hebrew verb yada (יָדַע), meaning "to know," emphasizing her feigned ignorance of the men's origin or purpose, a direct falsehood told to protect them.

Practical Application

Rahab's story in Joshua 2:4 reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or societal standing, to accomplish His purposes. Her faith, demonstrated through her courageous actions, was counted as righteousness (James 2:25). This verse encourages believers to act boldly in faith, even when circumstances are difficult or require significant risk. It also illustrates that God's grace extends to all who believe and act upon that belief, drawing people from every nation into His redemptive plan. While Rahab's specific method of deception is not presented as a model for all believers, her decisive action born of faith remains a powerful testimony.

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

  • 2 Kings 6:19 (3 votes)

    And Elisha said unto them, This [is] not the way, neither [is] this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.

  • 2 Samuel 17:19 (3 votes)

    And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

  • 2 Samuel 17:20 (3 votes)

    And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.

  • Exodus 1:19 (2 votes)

    And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women; for they [are] lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

  • 2 Samuel 16:18 (2 votes)

    And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

  • 2 Samuel 16:19 (2 votes)

    And again, whom should I serve? [should I] not [serve] in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.