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So she said, Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/2-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/2-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/2-3.htm" title="Joshua 2:3">◄</a> Joshua 2:4 <a href="/joshua/2-5.htm" title="Joshua 2:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, &#8220Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they <i>were</i>:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they <i>were</i> from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, &#8220Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them; so she said, “Yes, two men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I didn’t know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, &#8220Yes, the men did come to me, but I didn&#8217t know where they were from. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I wist not whence they were:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the woman had already taken the two men inside and hidden them. So she said, "Yes, the men did come here. But I didn't know where they had come from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the woman had taken the two men and hid them. So she replied, "The men really did come to me, but I didn't know from where they came. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the woman hid the two men and replied, "Yes, these men were clients of mine, but I didn't know where they came from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men to me, but I knew not whence they were:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I didn’t know where they came from. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the woman takes the two men, and hides them, and says thus: “The men came to me, and I have not known where they [are] from;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the woman taketh the two men, and hideth them, and saith thus: 'The men came in unto me, and I have not known whence they are;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the woman will take the two men and hide them, and will say thus, Two men came to me, and I knew not from whence they were.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the woman taking the men, hid them, and said: I confess they came to me, but I knew not whence they were: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the woman, taking the men, hid them. And she said: “I admit that they came to me, but I did not know where they were from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The woman had taken the two men and hidden them, so she said, “True, the men you speak of came to me, but I did not know where they came from.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But the woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said, Truly the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the woman brought both men and she hid them and she said: “Truly, men came to me and I did not know from where they are.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the woman took the two men and hid them; and she spoke to the messengers, saying, The men came in to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=233" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">Rahab Welcomes the Spies</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">But the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">had taken</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">the two</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: wat·tiṣ·pə·nōw (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">and hidden them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">So she said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adj-ms) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">“Yes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">did come</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but I did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/370.htm" title="370: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- Whence?. Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they had come from.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I do not know which way they went. Pursue them quickly, and you may catch them!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a></span><br />By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-25.htm">James 2:25</a></span><br />In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Exodus 1:19-20</a></span><br />The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.” / So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11-17</a></span><br />Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm">1 Kings 18:4</a></span><br />for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">2 Samuel 17:19-20</a></span><br />Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing. / When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-25.htm">Acts 9:25</a></span><br />One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">2 Corinthians 11:32-33</a></span><br />In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/4-17.htm">Judges 4:17-21</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. / Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Do not be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. / Sisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a></span><br />But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a></span><br />Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-13.htm">Genesis 12:13</a></span><br />Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2</a></span><br />“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/27-10.htm">1 Samuel 27:10-12</a></span><br />who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” / David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory. / So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men to me, but I knew not from where they were:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Exodus 1:19</a></b></br> And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women <i>are</i> not as the Egyptian women; for they <i>are</i> lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/16-18.htm">2 Samuel 16:18,19</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">2 Samuel 17:19,20</a></b></br> And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/5-13.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-19.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-19.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-19.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">True.</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-24.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-18.htm">Wist</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/7-22.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/joshua/15-18.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/joshua/2-12.htm">True.</a> <a href="/joshua/9-8.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">Wist</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-8.htm">The covenant between her and them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/2-23.htm">Their return and description of events</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them.</b><br>Rahab, a resident of Jericho, took a significant risk by hiding the Israelite spies. This act of protection is pivotal in the narrative, demonstrating her faith and aligning her with God's purposes. In the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern societies, hospitality was a sacred duty, but Rahab's actions went beyond mere hospitality, indicating a recognition of the God of Israel's power. Her actions prefigure the concept of faith leading to righteousness, as later highlighted in <a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a> and <a href="/james/2-25.htm">James 2:25</a>, where Rahab is commended for her faith and works.<p><b>So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me,</b><br>Rahab's acknowledgment of the men's presence is a strategic move. In the context of ancient warfare and espionage, admitting the presence of foreign spies could have been dangerous. However, Rahab's admission is part of her calculated plan to protect them. This reflects her wisdom and courage, qualities that are often celebrated in biblical narratives. Her actions can be seen as a type of Christ, who provides refuge and protection to those who seek Him.<p><b>but I did not know where they had come from.</b><br>Rahab's statement is a half-truth, a common narrative device in biblical stories where characters navigate complex moral situations. This reflects the tension between truth and survival in a hostile environment. Her claim of ignorance about the spies' origins serves to mislead the king's men, protecting the spies and furthering God's plan for Israel. This moment underscores the theme of divine providence, where God uses unexpected individuals and means to accomplish His purposes, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rahab.htm">Rahab</a></b><br>A Canaanite woman living in Jericho, known for her occupation as a prostitute. She plays a crucial role in the Israelite spies' mission by hiding them and later helping them escape.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_two_spies.htm">The Two Spies</a></b><br>Sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. Their mission is to gather intelligence on the city and its defenses.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jericho.htm">Jericho</a></b><br>A fortified city in Canaan, significant for being the first city conquered by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king_of_jericho.htm">The King of Jericho</a></b><br>Represents the authority of Jericho, who seeks to capture the spies upon learning of their presence.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_hiding.htm">The Event of Hiding</a></b><br>Rahab's act of hiding the spies is a pivotal moment that demonstrates her faith and allegiance to the God of Israel over her own people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Rahab's decision to hide the spies demonstrates that true faith often requires taking risks and making difficult choices. Her actions show that faith is not passive but active and courageous.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_grace.htm">God's Sovereignty and Grace</a></b><br>Rahab, a non-Israelite and a woman of questionable reputation, is used by God to fulfill His purposes. This highlights God's sovereignty and grace, showing that He can use anyone, regardless of their past, for His glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truth_and_deception.htm">The Importance of Truth and Deception</a></b><br>Rahab's lie to protect the spies raises questions about the morality of deception in certain situations. It invites believers to consider the complexities of truth-telling and the higher moral law of protecting life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/allegiance_to_god_over_culture.htm">Allegiance to God Over Culture</a></b><br>Rahab's choice to side with the God of Israel over her own people challenges believers to consider where their ultimate allegiance lies, especially when cultural norms conflict with God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_rahab's_lie_rewarded_in_joshua_2.htm">Why does God seemingly reward Rahab’s lie in Joshua 2:4–7 despite prohibitions against bearing false witness elsewhere? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_secrets_biblical.htm">Is keeping secrets aligned with biblical teachings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_david's_deceit_with_morals.htm">How do we reconcile David’s apparent deception before King Achish (1 Samuel 27:10–12) with biblical moral standards? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_wasn't_david_punished_for_lying.htm">Why did God not condemn or punish David for lying to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1–2)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the woman took the two men.</span> The majority of commentators are of opinion that here, as in ver. 1, we must render by the pluperfect. For, as Calvin remarks, Rahab would hardly have dared to lie so coolly had she not previously taken precautions to conceal her guests. And therefore she must have told a twofold falsehood. She must have discovered, or been made acquainted with, their errand, and therefore have "known whence they were," in addition to her assertion that she did not know where they were now. <span class="cmt_word">And hid them.</span> The original is remarkable and very vivid. <span class="accented">And hid him, i.e.</span>, each one in a separate place. No doubt the detail comes from an eyewitness, so that if the Book of Joshua he not a contemporary work, the writer must have had access to some contemporary document. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But the woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאִשָּׁ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had taken</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקַּ֧ח</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the two</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - mdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and hidden them.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽתִּצְפְּנ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiṣ·pə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So she said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Yes,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(kên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did come</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֤אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but I did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֖עְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַ֥יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_370.htm">Strong's 370: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whence?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had come from.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵֽמָּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/2-4.htm">OT History: Joshua 2:4 The woman took the two men (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>