Joshua 2:1-13

2:1

sent <07971> [sent. or, had sent. Shittim.]

spies out .... secretly <07270 02791> [to spy secretly.]

Jericho <03405> [even Jericho.]

prostitute <0802 02181> [harlot's house.]

Though the word {zonah} generally denotes a prostitute, yet many very learned men are of opinion that it should be here rendered an innkeeper or hostess, from {zoon,} to furnish or provide food. In this sense it was understood by the Targumist, who renders it, {ittetha pundekeetha,} "a woman, a tavern-keeper," and so St. Chrysostome, in his second sermon on Repentance, calls her [pandokeutria.] The Greek [porn‚,] by which the LXX. render it, and which is adopted by the Apostles, is derived from [perna¢,] to sell, and is also supposed to denote a tavern keeper. Among the ancients, women generally kept houses of entertainment. Herodotus says, "Among the Egyptians, the women carry on all commercial concerns, and keep taverns, while the men continue at home and weave." The same custom prevailed among the Greeks.

[Rachab.]

spent the night <07901> [lodged. Heb. lay.]

2:2

king ...... report <04428 0559> [told the king.]

2:3

Turn over <03318> [Bring.]

spy <02658> [to search.]

2:4

2:5

shut <05462> [of shutting.]

left ........ heading <03318 01980 0582> [the men went out.]

2:6

roof ................. roof <01406> [to the roof.]

hidden ..... stalks <02934 06086> [hid them.]

2:7

fords <04569> [the fords.]

shut <05462> [they shut.]

2:9

know <03045> [I know.]

Lord <03068> [that the Lord.]

absolutely terrified <0367> [your terror.]

cringing <04127> [faint. Heb. melt.]

2:10

heard <08085> [For we.]

<06213> [what ye did.]

2:11

lost ... courage <03824> [our hearts.]

<06965> [did there remain. Heb. rose up.]

Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]

2:12

promise ..... an oath <07650> [swear.]

shown ..... show <06213> [that ye will.]

family <01> [my father's.]

Give .... solemn <05414 0571> [give me.]

2:13

father <01> [my father.]

It is observable that in this enumeration of her kindred, there is no mention made of a husband. It is most likely that she was a single woman or widow, who obtained an honest livelihood by keeping a house for the entertainment of strangers; and not a woman of ill fame, as some have supposed. The spies sent on this occasion were certainly some of the most confidential persons that Joshua had in his host, and their errand was of the greatest importance; is it then not most likely that they lodged at an inn?