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<!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 2:7 So the king's men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/2-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/06_Jos_02_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 2:7 - Rahab Welcomes the Spies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the king's men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut." /><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/2-7.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/2-7.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 7</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="/ad7.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/2-6.htm" title="Joshua 2:6">◄</a> Joshua 2:7 <a href="/joshua/2-8.htm" title="Joshua 2:8">►</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 />So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan, to the crossing places; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the [king’s] men pursued them on the road to the Jordan as far as the fords [east of Jericho]; as soon as the pursuers had gone out after them, the gate [of the city] was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men pursued them along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they left to pursue them, the city gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men pursued them along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they left to pursue them, the gate was shut. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they that pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king's men pursued them on the road leading to a shallow place to cross the Jordan River. As soon as the king's men had left, the gate was closed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king's men left the city, and then the gate was shut. They went looking for the Israelite spies as far as the place where the road crosses the Jordan. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the men pursued them along the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as the search party had left, they shut the city gate after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the king?s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Meanwhile the king's men tried to find them on the road to the Jordan River near the fords. The city gate was shut as soon as they set out in pursuit of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The men pursued them the way to the Jordan to the fords: and as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the men pursued them the way to Jordan to the fords: and as soon as they who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The men pursued them along the way to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. <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 men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the fords, and they have shut the gate afterward when the pursuers have gone out after 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 men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the fords, and the gate they have shut afterwards, when the pursuers have gone out after 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 men pursued after them the way of Jordan at the passages: and they shut the gate afterwards as they pursuing after them went forth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now they that were sent, pursued after them, by the way that leadeth to the fords of the Jordan: and as soon as they were gone out, the gate was presently shut. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But those who had been sent pursued after them along the way that leads to the ford of the Jordan. And as soon as they went out, the gate was closed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the pursuers set out along the way to the fords of the Jordan. As soon as they had left to pursue them, the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So the men pursued them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. As soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.<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 men pursued after them by the way of the Jordan to the fords; and after the pursuers were gone out after the spies, they shut the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the men went out after them on the road of the Jordan that is by the crossing, and they shut the gates after those pursuing the spies had gone out.<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 men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords; and as soon as they that pursued after them were gone out, the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the men followed after them in the way to Jordan to the fords; and the gate was shut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/2-7.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=261" 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">6</span>(But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.) <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">So the king’s men</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: rā·ḏə·p̄ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">set out in pursuit</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">of the spies</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">along the road</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4569.htm" title="4569: ham·ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ (Art:: N-fpc) -- Or feminine mapabarah; from abar; a crossing-place; abstractly, a transit, i.e. overwhelming.">the fords</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">of the Jordan,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">and as</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣə·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">soon as they</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: hā·rō·ḏə·p̄îm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">had gone out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: wə·haš·ša·‘ar (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">the gate</a> <a href="/hebrew/5462.htm" title="5462: sā·ḡā·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To shut, close. A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender.">was shut.</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> </span><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/14-5.htm">Exodus 14:5-9</a></span><br />When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">1 Kings 20:33-34</a></span><br />Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. / Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-14.htm">2 Kings 6:14-18</a></span><br />the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. / When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” / “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-23.htm">Acts 9:23-25</a></span><br />After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / 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="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Genesis 19:15-17</a></span><br />At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” / But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them. / As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11-12</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20-21</a></span><br />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. / After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Acts 17:5-10</a></span><br />The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-23.htm">Matthew 10:23</a></span><br />When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.<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/1-24.htm">Judges 1:24-25</a></span><br />and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">1 Samuel 23:25-28</a></span><br />and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there. / Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. / Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan to the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.</p><p class="hdg">the fords</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-28.htm">Judges 3:28</a></b></br> And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Judges 12:5</a></b></br> And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was <i>so</i>, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, <i>Art</i> thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;</p><p class="hdg">they shut</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-5.htm">Joshua 2:5</a></b></br> And it came to pass <i>about the time</i> of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/5-23.htm">Acts 5:23</a></b></br> Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/34-10.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-15.htm">Door</a> <a href="/joshua/1-15.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-18.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-7.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-4.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/exodus/14-23.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-18.htm">Road</a> <a href="/joshua/2-5.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-26.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/joshua/2-5.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/2-16.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Door</a> <a href="/joshua/2-10.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/joshua/2-16.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/joshua/8-17.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Road</a> <a href="/joshua/6-1.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/joshua/2-11.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/joshua/2-8.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/joshua/2-16.htm">Way</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>So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies</b><br>The king of Jericho, aware of the presence of Israelite spies, sends his men to capture them. This reflects the heightened tension and fear among the Canaanites as Israel approaches. Historically, Jericho was a fortified city, and its king would have been vigilant against threats. The pursuit of the spies underscores the strategic importance of intelligence in warfare, a theme seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the story of Gideon (Judges 7).<p><b>along the road to the fords of the Jordan</b><br>The fords of the Jordan were shallow crossing points, crucial for travel and trade. This geographical detail highlights the spies' likely escape route back to the Israelite camp. The Jordan River served as a natural boundary for the Promised Land, and its fords were strategic locations. This pursuit along the road to the fords indicates the king's understanding of the spies' intentions to return to their people, emphasizing the interconnectedness of geography and biblical narrative.<p><b>and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut</b><br>The shutting of the gate signifies the city's defensive measures, common in ancient walled cities to protect against intruders. This action reflects the urgency and seriousness with which the king of Jericho treated the threat of espionage. In a broader biblical context, gates often symbolize security and control, as seen in Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and gates (Nehemiah 3). The closing of the gate also foreshadows the eventual fall of Jericho, where the city's defenses are rendered ineffective by divine intervention (Joshua 6).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men.htm">The Men</a></b><br>These are the king of Jericho's men who were sent to capture the Israelite spies. They represent the opposition to God's plan and the worldly forces that often seek to thwart divine purposes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_spies.htm">The Spies</a></b><br>These are the two Israelite men sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. They symbolize faith and obedience to God's command, as well as the courage to undertake risky missions for the sake of God's promises.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_road_to_the_fords_of_the_jordan.htm">The Road to the Fords of the Jordan</a></b><br>This is the path the men took in pursuit of the spies. It represents the natural barriers and challenges that must be navigated in the journey of faith.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gate.htm">The Gate</a></b><br>The shutting of the gate signifies the closing off of opportunities and the urgency of the situation. It also highlights God's providence in protecting His people, as the spies were safely hidden by Rahab.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/rahab.htm">Rahab</a></b><br>Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Rahab plays a crucial role in the account. Her actions demonstrate faith and the importance of aligning oneself with God's people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>Even when the world seems to close in, God provides protection and a way out for those who trust in Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Like the spies and Rahab, our faith should lead us to take bold actions, trusting in God's promises and His plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_in_obedience.htm">Urgency in Obedience</a></b><br>The shutting of the gate reminds us of the urgency to act in obedience to God’s commands before opportunities are lost.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence.htm">Divine Providence</a></b><br>God orchestrates events in ways we may not understand, but His plans are always for the good of those who love Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_opposition.htm">Courage in the Face of Opposition</a></b><br>The spies' mission teaches us to be courageous and steadfast, even when facing formidable challenges.<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/jacob's_blessings_for_his_sons.htm">What are Jacob's prophetic blessings for his sons?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_warriors_cross_jordan_at_flood_and_win.htm">(1 Chronicles 12:14-15) How plausible is it that warriors crossed the Jordan River at flood stage and still overpowered enemy forces?</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/judges_12_1-7__unity_or_conflict.htm">Judges 12:1-7 - How does the narrative align with or contradict earlier portrayals of tribal unity and cooperation in Judges?</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 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Unto the fords.</span> There were several of these fords. One near Jericho (cf, <a href="/judges/3-28.htm">Judges 3:28</a>; <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Judges 12:5, 6</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/17-22.htm">2 Samuel 17:22, 24</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/19-16.htm">2 Samuel 19:16, 19, 39</a>); one at Bethsean, now Beisan, leading to Succoth (<a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Judges 8:4</a>; cf. <a href="/genesis/32-22.htm">Genesis 32:22</a>; <a href="/genesis/33-17.htm">Genesis 33:17</a>. See Robinson, ' Biblical Researches' 2:497; Ritter, 'Geography of Palestine'); beside others not mentioned in Scripture. A vivid description of the crossing the Jordan at the fords near Jericho is to be found in Tristrain's 'Land of Israel,' p. 520. The ford is almost certainly the one mentioned here, since an hour or two's ride brought the party to Shittim. These fords were easy to cross save when the Jordan, as was now the case (<a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15</a>), overflowed its banks. This may have been the reason why the pursuers did not cross the fords, but they pursued the spies to the fords, hoping to find their retreat cut off. This is rendered more probable by the fact (ver. 22) that the pursuers appear to have continued their search after leaving the fords. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/2-7.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">So the [king's] men</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, 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">set out in pursuit</span><br /><span class="heb">רָדְפ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḏə·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[of the spies]</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along the road</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fords</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמַּעְבְּר֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4569.htm">Strong's 4569: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crossing-place, a transit, overwhelming</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Jordan,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yar·dên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">soon as they</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had gone out,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹדְפִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·ḏə·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gate</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַשַּׁ֣עַר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haš·ša·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was shut.</span><br /><span class="heb">סָגָ֔רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(sā·ḡā·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5462.htm">Strong's 5462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shut up, to surrender</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/2-7.htm">Joshua 2:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/2-7.htm">OT History: Joshua 2:7 The men pursued them the way (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/2-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 2:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/2-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 2:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 2:8" /></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>