Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 2:22
And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought [them] throughout all the way, but found [them] not.
22 24. Return of the Spies to Joshua
22. the mountain ] See above, Jos 2:16.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Unto the mountain – Probably the mountains to the west and north of Jericho, called afterward, from the belief that the 40 days of our Lords temptation were passed among them, the Quarantania. The spies avoided at the first the neighhourhood of the Jordan, where the pursuers sought them: and amidst the grottoes of the limestone rocks, which in later ages were the abode of numerous hermits, they could readily shelter themselves for three days.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Abode there three days; supporting themselves there with the provisions, which after the manner of those times and places they carried with them, which Rahab furnished them with.
Throughout all the way, i.e. in the road to Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they went, and came unto the mountain,…. Rahab had directed them to, the mountain Quarantania, [See comments on Jos 2:16];
and abode there three days; being, no doubt, supplied with food by Rahab; and it might not be three wholly, but one whole day and part of the other two:
until the pursuers were returned; to the city of Jericho, as might reasonably be supposed:
and the pursuers sought [them] throughout all the way; from Jericho to the fords of Jordan, searching every hedge, field, and village as they went and returned:
but found [them] not; Rahab having hid them in her house, and then sent them to the mountain, there to remain till the return of the pursuers.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The spies remained three days in the mountains, till the officers returned to the town, after searching for them the whole way in vain. The mountains referred to are probably the range on the northern side of Jericho, which afterwards received the name of Quarantana (Arab. Kuruntul), a wall of rock rising almost precipitously from the plain to the height of 1200 or 1500 feet, and full of grottoes and caves on the eastern side. These mountains were well adapted for a place of concealment; moreover, they were the nearest to Jericho, as the western range recedes considerably to the south of Wady Kelt (vid., Rob. ii. p. 289).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. 23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: 24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
We have here the safe return of the spies Joshua had sent, and the great encouragement they brought with them to Israel to proceed in their descent upon Canaan. Had they been disposed to discourage the people, as the evil spies did that Moses sent, they might have told them what they had observed of the height and strength of the walls of Jericho, and the extraordinary vigilance of the king of Jericho, and how narrowly they escaped out of his hands; but they were of another spirit, and, depending themselves upon the divine promise, they animated Joshua likewise. 1. Their return in safety was itself an encouragement to Joshua, and a token for good. That God provided for them so good a friend as Rahab was in an enemy’s country, and that notwithstanding the rage of the king of Jericho and the eagerness of the pursuers they had come back in peace, was such an instance of God’s great care concerning them for Israel’s sake as might assure the people of the divine guidance and care they were under, which should undoubtedly make the progress of their arms glorious. He that so wonderfully protected their scouts would preserve their men of war, and cover their heads in the day of battle. 2. The report they brought was much more encouraging (v. 24): “All the inhabitants of the country, though resolved to stand it out, yet do faint because of us, they have neither wisdom to yield nor courage to fight,” whence they conclude, “Truly the Lord has delivered into our hands all the land, it is all our own; we have nothing to do, in effect, but to take possession.” Sinners’ frights are sometimes sure presages of their fall. If we resist our spiritual enemies they will flee before us, which will encourage us to hope that in due time we shall be more than conquerors.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Jos. 2:22. Abode there three days] One clear day, and part of two others. The spies were probably sent out on the sixth of Abib; on the evening of the same day as that on which they arrived at Jericho they escaped to the mountain; they waited in hiding there throughout the next day, and through the night and the day and the greater part of the night following, when they returned to Joshua, and made their report.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Jos. 2:22-24
WITH AND WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD
I. He who watches and works without God, watches and works in vain. The king of Jericho had sent to take the spies, but they escaped out of his hand; the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain; so, apparently, out of the rich experience of his life the aged David counselled his son and successor in The Song of degrees for Solomon. The children of God, when they are without the presence of their heavenly Father, labour as much in vain as the greatest idolater or infidel. The king of Jericho and his pursuers fail; equally do the Israelites themselves, when a week or two later they go up without God against Ai. Moses well said, If Thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence.
II. He who goes out under the care of God is safe from the wrath of man. If Rebekah and Jacob had not lied, the younger son would still have inherited the blessing. The promise of God needed no falsehood of men to make it into a truth. If Rahab had said only the thing which was right, God could with equal ease have secured the safety of these His two servants. Even had it been otherwise, they had been no less safe; they fall well, who fall into their Fathers arms. Where God does not bless our righteous efforts to preserve ourselves, we need not seek safety in sin. Those were noble blushes which rose on the face of Ezra, when he said, I was ashamed to require of the king a band of men and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way (cf. Ezr. 8:21-23). Paul in his perils; Luther at Worms; Wesley preaching under threats of violence and falling stones.
III. He who reports the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord can never report too confidently or too cheerfully. The ten spies had given the report of fear; these give the report of faith. The giants and the Anakim were probably as huge as they were forty years before, the cities walled up as near to heaven, and the Israelites no larger than they were formerly; but where fear then saw grasshoppers in the presence of giants, faith said now, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land. The message of these two men to Joshua was full of confidence, full of cheerfulness, and full of praise. They thanked God for victories yet to come.
1. He who makes the best of everything which concerns God, serves God and men much better than he who is timid and doubting and depressed. It is quite possible to make too much of the work of men; we cannot well over-report God. Too many modern servants are far more like the ten spies than the two.
2. A bad report of Divine things is not only injurious to others, but most harmful to ourselves. Good Bp. Hall well said, Our success or discomfiture begins ever at the heart. A mans inward disposition doth more than presage the event. If Satan sees us once faint, he gives himself the day. There is no way to safety, but that our hearts be the last that shall yield. We have need to keep our heart with all diligence; for out of it, even in this sense, there are issues of life. The glad confidence in Christ which some constantly manifest carries its own reward; for the joy of the Lord is their strength, and hardly less strength to all who are sufficiently with them to catch the enthusiasm of their praise.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The Spies Return to Jos. 2:22-24
22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
16.
What kind of report did the spies make to Joshua? Jos. 2:22-24
The report of the two spies to Joshua was quite different from the report which the ten spies had made to Moses forty years earlier. At the earlier time the ten spies said the land was one which ate up its inhabitants. They described themselves as being like grasshoppers in the sight of the men who lived on the land. They also affirmed they felt insignificant in the presence of the people who populated the territory. Joshuas two spies, however, came back with a glowing account of how they had entered into the city of Jericho and had been spared by the kindness of Rahab. Much of what they said was a report of what Rahab told them. They used the same expression in describing how the inhabitants of the country were fainting because of fear of them. All of this convinced the spies that the Lord would surely deliver all the land into the hands of the Israelites. Such a report must have given great courage to Joshua and the warriors of Israel. Although they had been forced to wait an extra three days for the return of the spies, they would certainly be enthusiastic about their mission as they made final preparations to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(22) Three daysi.e., probably until the completion of three days from the commencement of their mission, according to the usual inclusive reckoning of the Old Testament.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Abode there three days In reckoning time, the Jews count as whole days the parts of days which may be included in a given period. Hence the body of Jesus was said to be in the tomb three days, though it was laid there on Friday evening and he came forth on Sunday morning a space of thirty-six hours. See note on Mat 12:40. [So these spies may have remained in the caverns of the mountains only parts of three days, and the entire time of their absence from the camp at Shittim fell within the three days at the end of which, if not before, Joshua intended to be on his march across the Jordan. See note on Jos 1:11.] 23. Passed over That is, Jordan. These scouts were probably expert in swimming, for the Jordan was then at its flood.
Came to Joshua It is not necessary to suppose that they returned to the camp at Shittim. But the history most naturally implies this.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And they went, and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers were returned, and the pursuers sought them in every part of the way, but did not find them.’
The mountain was Jebel Quruntul, a desolate ridge to the west of the city, full of caves and ravines, an ideal hiding place. Meanwhile the searchers searched every bit of the area between the city and the river and obviously did not find them.
“Stayed there three days.” This could have been any amount of time from one and a half days to four or five days, or even six days. ‘Three days’ simply means ‘a number of days but less than seven’. The next description up would have been ‘seven days’. Possibly Rahab had given them food, but these were trained men, they would know how to find food.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 22. &c. And they went, &c. The risk they had run took from them the desire of making fresh inquiries, which might have been as dangerous as useless, having already received sufficient information from Rahab at Jericho. Supplied with provisions, therefore, they concealed themselves in the neighbouring mountains; and on the third day after their departure from that city, having repassed the Jordan, returned to the camp of Joshua, and gave him an account of their enterprize; who, doubtless, could not but be extremely rejoiced at having met with better success in his choice of emissaries, than Moses had before done on a like occasion.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! do not fail to discern Jesus as the hiding place of his people, when both law and justice pursue them. The Psalmist took great comfort in this view. And why may not you and I? When Jesus hides his people, he manifests himself. Psa 32:7 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 2:22-24
22They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. 23Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24They said to Joshua, Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.
Jos 2:24 The spies told Joshua of the fear of the Canaanites (cf. Jos 2:9). This is a fulfilled prophecy from Exo 23:27 and Deu 2:25.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did these spies go to a prostitute’s house?
2. Why did Rahab help them?
3. Is lying alright if used for God?
4. What concept of God did Rahab have?
5. What significance does the scarlet thread have?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
found them not: 1Sa 19:10-12, 2Sa 17:20, Psa 32:6, Psa 32:7
Reciprocal: Num 13:20 – good courage Jos 2:16 – Get you Jos 6:17 – because
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
When the spies returned from Jericho, they told Joshua all they had learned on their secret mission. Through Rahab, God had told Joshua the victory was assured because God was on their side. ( Jos 2:22-24 .)
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Jos 2:22-23. Three days Supporting themselves there with the provisions which Rahab had furnished them with. The way That is, in the road to Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains. Passed over Jordan unto Joshua.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The "hill country" referred to (Jos 2:22-23) was probably the mountainous area west of Jericho. This area contains many caves in the "deeply eroded and lonely chalk hills" and many "isolated canyons cut through the [1,500 feet high] limestone cliffs." [Note: James Monson, The Land Between, p. 163.] The spies evidently were absent from the Israelite camp a total of three days (Jos 2:22; cf. Jos 1:11; Jos 3:2).
One of the major emphases in this chapter is God’s faithfulness. When the spies returned to Shittim with news that some of the Canaanites believed that Yahweh would give the Israelites the land, God’s people would have felt greatly encouraged (Jos 2:9-11; Jos 2:24; cf. Jos 1:2-3; cf. Jos 1:6; cf. Jos 1:11; cf. Jos 1:15).
This chapter also shows that God will deliver those who seek salvation from coming judgment, regardless of their past or present sins, if they have faith in Him. Rahab believed Yahweh was the true God (Jos 2:11; cf. Rth 1:16; 1Jn 5:1). Her protection of the spies demonstrated the sincerity of her faith (Jos 2:6; cf. Jas 2:25). Her confidence about her preservation from the coming judgment rested on the promise given to her by God’s spokesmen (Jos 2:21; cf. Joh 6:47).
"If Joshua represents the Israelite male who finds guidance and success through faith in the LORD God, does Rahab represent his counterpart, the Canaanite female who also finds guidance and success through faith in the LORD God? In one of the most nationalistic books in the Hebrew Bible, does it not serve the purposes of the promise to Abraham that ’all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’ (Gen 12:3) to place side by side with the choice of a military leader and his initial preparations for battle, the story of a foreign woman who believed and was saved without arms or bloodshed?" [Note: Hess, pp. 96-97.]
"The spies violated God’s explicit command that none of the people living in the land were to be spared (Deu 7:1-6; Deu 20:16-18). Rahab, however, turned to God and sought deliverance. Her experience is proof of the gracious saving purpose of God. His overarching decree is that ’everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved’ (Joe 2:32). This is one of the most dramatic examples of grace in the OT and is set in bold relief by the questionable aspects of Rahab’s profession and conversion.
"The salvation of Rahab is an example of what God would have done for others also. The king and the other citizens of Jericho knew all that she knew, but they did not turn to Israel’s God for mercy. The fear that drove her to beg for mercy drove them in their stubborn rebellion. Accordingly, the others are called ’the disobedient’ in Heb 11:31 . . ." [Note: Madvig, p. 264.]
Contrast the response of the Ninevites in Jonah’s day.