King James Version

What Does Joshua 2:3 Mean?

Joshua 2:3 in the King James Version says “And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

Joshua 2:3 · KJV


Context

1

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house , named Rahab, and lodged there. sent: or, had sent lodged: Heb. lay

2

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

3

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

4

And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

5

And it came to pass about the time 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king's demand that Rahab bring out the spies demonstrates government investigation of suspected espionage. Her refusal to comply shows civil disobedience when earthly authority conflicts with divine kingdom loyalty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse appears in the Jordan crossing narrative, one of Joshua's most significant events demonstrating God's power and faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
  2. What application does this truth have for your walk with Christ today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙1 of 19

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֶ֣לֶךְ2 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

יְרִיח֔וֹ3 of 19

of Jericho

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

אֶל4 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָחָ֖ב5 of 19

unto Rahab

H7343

rachab, a canaanitess

לֵאמֹ֑ר6 of 19

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ה֠וֹצִיאִי7 of 19

Bring forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֨ים8 of 19
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בָּֽאוּ׃9 of 19

for they be come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙10 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲשֶׁר11 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּֽאוּ׃12 of 19

for they be come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְבֵיתֵ֔ךְ13 of 19

into thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֛י14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לַחְפֹּ֥ר15 of 19

to search out

H2658

properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore

אֶת16 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל17 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֖רֶץ18 of 19

all the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּֽאוּ׃19 of 19

for they be come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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