CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 2:23 Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/2-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/06_Jos_02_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 2:23 - The Promise to Rahab" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them." /><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/2-23.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/2-23.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 23</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="/ad3.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/2-22.htm" title="Joshua 2:22">◄</a> Joshua 2:23 <a href="/joshua/2-24.htm" title="Joshua 2:24">►</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 />Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>things</i> that befell them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country, and they crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun. Then they reported to him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they recounted to him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men turned back and came down from the hill country and crossed over [the Jordan] and came to Joshua the son of Nun [at Shittim], and told him everything that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men returned, came down from the hill country, and crossed the Jordan. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the men returned, came down from the hill country, and crossed the Jordan. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had befallen them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />the two spies went down into the Jordan valley and crossed the river. They reported to Joshua and told him everything that had happened. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had befallen them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the two spies came down out of the mountains, crossed the Jordan River, and returned to Joshua, son of Nun. They told him everything that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the two spies came down from the hills, crossed the river, and went back to Joshua. They told him everything that had happened, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, the two men returned from the hill country, crossed over the Jordan River, approached Nun's son Joshua, and told him everything that had happened to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men returned--they came down from the hills, crossed the river, came to Joshua son of Nun, and reported to him all they had discovered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, crossed the river, and came to Joshua the son of Nun. They told him all that had happened to them. <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 two men turn back, and come down from the hill, and pass over, and come to Joshua son of Nun, and recount to him all that has come on them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the two men turn back, and come down from the hill, and pass over, and come in unto Joshua son of Nun, and recount to him all that hath come upon them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the two men will turn back and come down from the mountain, and will pass over, and will come to Joshua the son of Nun, and will recount to him all things having found them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when they were gone back into the city, the spies returned, and came down from the mountain: and passing over the Jordan, they came to Josue the son of Nun, and told him all that befel them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when they returned and entered the city, the explorers descended from the mountain. And crossing the Jordan, they went to Joshua, the son of Nun, and they reported to him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the two came back down from the hills, crossed the Jordan to Joshua, son of Nun, and told him all that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the two men came down again from the hill country. They crossed over, came to Joshua son of Nun, and told him all that had happened to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So the two spies came down from the mountain, and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And those two spies went down from the mountain and they crossed over and they went to Yeshua son of Nun, and they told him everything that happened to them, and they said to Yeshua: “LORD JEHOVAH has delivered into our hands all of the land, also all of the inhabitants of the land are afraid of us” <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had befallen them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the two young men returned, and came down out of the mountain; and they went over to Joshua the son of Naue, and told him all things that had happened to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/2-23.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=427" 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">The Promise to Rahab</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>So the spies went out into the hill country and stayed there three days, until their pursuers had returned without finding them, having searched all along the road. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><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.">Then the two men</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šu·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">started back,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·rə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">came down</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: mê·hā·hār (Prep-m, Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">from the hill country,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: way·ya·‘aḇ·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">and crossed the river.</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">So they came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bin- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/5126.htm" title="5126: nūn (N-proper-ms) -- Father of Joshua. Or Nown; from nuwn; perpetuity, Nun or Non, the father of Joshua.">of Nun</a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: way·sap·pə·rū- (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To count, recount, relate. ">and reported</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: ham·mō·ṣə·’ō·wṯ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To attain to, find. ">that had happened</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’ō·w·ṯām (Prep:: 3mp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">to them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>“The LORD has surely delivered the entire land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of us.”…<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="/joshua/6-22.htm">Joshua 6:22-25</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” / So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. / Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. ...<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="/exodus/23-20.htm">Exodus 23:20-23</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. / But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/13-26.htm">Numbers 13:26-33</a></span><br />and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. / And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit! / Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-24.htm">Deuteronomy 1:24-25</a></span><br />They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied out the land. / They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands, carried it down to us, and brought us word: “It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-2.htm">1 Samuel 10:2</a></span><br />When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-16.htm">2 Samuel 17:16</a></span><br />Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13-14</a></span><br />So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.<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="/acts/17-10.htm">Acts 17:10</a></span><br />As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-16.htm">Acts 23:16-22</a></span><br />But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. / Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” / So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Romans 16:3-4</a></span><br />Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, / who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/31-18.htm">Account</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-21.htm">Befallen</a> <a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Befell</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Country</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-12.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Nun</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-16.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/numbers/4-32.htm">Related</a> <a href="/joshua/1-4.htm">River</a> <a href="/numbers/33-3.htm">Started</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/14-7.htm">Account</a> <a href="/judges/6-13.htm">Befallen</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-7.htm">Befell</a> <a href="/joshua/8-26.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/joshua/2-24.htm">Country</a> <a href="/joshua/3-1.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/joshua/16-3.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/joshua/2-24.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/11-16.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/joshua/6-6.htm">Nun</a> <a href="/joshua/3-1.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Related</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">River</a> <a href="/joshua/15-2.htm">Started</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>Then the two men started back</b><br>The two men refer to the spies sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. This mission echoes the earlier spying mission in <a href="/numbers/13.htm">Numbers 13</a>, where Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan. Unlike the previous mission, which resulted in fear and rebellion, this mission is marked by faith and obedience. The spies' return signifies the completion of their task and the beginning of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan.<p><b>came down from the hill country</b><br>The hill country refers to the rugged terrain surrounding Jericho. This area was strategically significant, providing a natural defense and a vantage point for observing the land. The spies' descent from the hills symbolizes their transition from reconnaissance to reporting, a crucial step in the Israelites' military strategy.<p><b>and crossed the river</b><br>The river mentioned is the Jordan River, a significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites. Crossing the Jordan represents a transition from the wilderness wanderings to entering the Promised Land. This act prefigures the later miraculous crossing of the Jordan by the entire nation, as described in <a href="/joshua/3.htm">Joshua 3</a>, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.<p><b>So they came to Joshua son of Nun</b><br>Joshua, the leader of Israel, is a type of Christ, whose name in Hebrew, Yeshua, means "The Lord is salvation." His leadership is characterized by faithfulness and obedience to God. The spies' return to Joshua signifies their accountability and the importance of leadership in God's plan. Joshua's role as a military and spiritual leader foreshadows Christ's ultimate leadership and deliverance of His people.<p><b>and reported all that had happened to them</b><br>The spies' report is crucial for the Israelites' preparation to conquer Jericho. Their testimony includes Rahab's faith and assistance, highlighting God's providence and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan. This report contrasts with the negative report of the earlier spies in <a href="/numbers/13.htm">Numbers 13</a>, demonstrating a shift from fear to faith. The spies' account underscores the importance of faithfulness and trust in God's promises, setting the stage for the subsequent victory at Jericho.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_two_spies.htm">The Two Spies</a></b><br>These were the men sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. Their mission was crucial for the Israelites' strategy in conquering the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_hill_country.htm">The Hill Country</a></b><br>This refers to the region where the spies hid for three days to avoid capture by the king of Jericho's men. It symbolizes a place of refuge and divine protection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>A significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites, representing the transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua_son_of_nun.htm">Joshua son of Nun</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. His leadership is marked by faithfulness and obedience to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_report.htm">The Report</a></b><br>The spies' report to Joshua was a testimony of God's faithfulness and the fear that had fallen upon the inhabitants of Jericho, setting the stage for Israel's conquest.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithful_obedience.htm">Faithful Obedience</a></b><br>The spies' mission underscores the importance of obeying God's commands and trusting in His protection and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a></b><br>The hiding in the hill country illustrates God's provision of safety and refuge for those who are on His mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/effective_leadership.htm">Effective Leadership</a></b><br>Joshua's role as a leader who listens to reports and acts on God's promises is a model for Christian leadership today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/testimony_of_god's_work.htm">Testimony of God's Work</a></b><br>The report given by the spies serves as a reminder to share testimonies of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/crossing_boundaries.htm">Crossing Boundaries</a></b><br>The crossing of the Jordan symbolizes stepping out in faith to claim God's promises, encouraging believers to move forward in their spiritual journey.<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/how_did_spies_move_freely_in_jericho.htm">How could two foreign spies move so freely in Jericho without immediate suspicion, as described in Joshua 2:2-3?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_judges_2_6_timeline_explained.htm">Judges 2:6 describes Joshua sending the people away, yet Joshua appears to have died in the previous book; how can this timeline be reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_joshua_capture_jerusalem.htm">Did Joshua and the Israelites capture Jerusalem? Yes (Joshua 10:23, 40) No (Joshua 15:63)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_hornets.htm">What does the Bible mention about hornets?</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 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And passed over.</span> The sacred historian does not say how. But it is improbable (see ver. 7) that they forded the river. They probably swam across, as they were no doubt unarmed (cf. <a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">1 Chronicles 12:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">That befel them.</span> Literally, "that <span class="accented">found</span> them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/2-23.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">Then the [two] men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙</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">started back,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשֻׁ֜בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šu·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרְד֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the hill country</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽהָהָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(mê·hā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and crossed [the river].</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַבְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aḇ·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So they came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֔אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<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">Joshua</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּן־</span> <span class="translit">(bin-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Nun</span><br /><span class="heb">נ֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(nūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5126.htm">Strong's 5126: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nun -- father of Joshua</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and reported</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְסַ֨פְּרוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(way·sap·pə·rū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that had happened</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֹּצְא֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mō·ṣə·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them.</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/2-23.htm">Joshua 2:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/2-23.htm">OT History: Joshua 2:23 Then the two men returned descended (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/2-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 2:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/2-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 2:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:24" /></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>