Joshua 2

24 verses

TL;DR

Joshua sends spies to Jericho, Rahab hides them and secures a covenant of safety, and the spies escape to report God's promise of land.

Summary

Joshua sends two spies from Shittim to survey Jericho. They lodge in Rahab's house, and the king of Jericho orders their capture. Rahab hides the spies on the roof amid flax and persuades them by recounting God's power over Egypt and the Amorite kings. She negotiates a covenant: the spies promise protection, and she will mark her window with a scarlet cord. The spies escape to the mountain, remain there for three days, and later report to Joshua that God has delivered the land, inspiring faith in Israel.

Outline

Joshua sends spies to scout Jericho.
Rahab hides the spies, negotiates a covenant of safety.
Spies escape, return, and affirm God's promise to Israel.

Themes

Faith and trust in God's deliveranceCovenant and mutual protectionThe power of testimony and remembrance

Keywords

spyingcovenantscarletRahabIsraelJericho

People

JoshuaRahabKing of JerichoSihonOg

Places

ShittimJerichoJordantown wallmountain

Things

flax stalksscarlet cordcovenantwindow

Key Verses

Joshua 2:2: Initial warning to Jericho, setting the stakes for espionage.
Joshua 2:9-10: Rahab cites God's past victories, convincing the spies.
Joshua 2:20-21: The covenant is formalized with the scarlet cord, sealing mutual safety.

Questions

What motivated Rahab to risk her life for the spies?
How does the covenant with Rahab reflect Israel’s broader relationship with neighboring peoples?
In what ways does the narrative emphasize God’s sovereignty over political events?

Sentiment

mixed
Tense fear of pursuit juxtaposed with hopeful faith in God's promise.