King James Version

What Does Joshua 2:9 Mean?

Joshua 2:9 in the King James Version says “And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and tha... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. faint: Heb. melt

Joshua 2:9 · KJV


Context

7

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.

8

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

9

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. faint: Heb. melt

10

For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

11

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. did there: Heb. rose up


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I know that the LORD hath given you the land—Rahab's confession is remarkable: a Canaanite prostitute declares theological certainty about Yahweh's sovereign purpose. The verb yada (יָדַע, 'to know') indicates not mere opinion but settled conviction. Her faith grasped what Israel often forgot: God's promises are irrevocable (Numbers 23:19).

Your terror is fallen upon us (אֵימַתְכֶם, eymat'khem)—This 'dread' or 'terror' fulfills Exodus 15:16 and Deuteronomy 2:25, where God promised to place His fear upon Canaan's inhabitants. Rahab's testimony proves that Jericho's resistance was not ignorance but rebellion against known truth. She becomes a model of saving faith (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25), proving that grace reaches even Canaanite harlots who trust God's word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rahab spoke circa 1406 BC as Israel camped at Shittim before crossing Jordan. Jericho, a fortified Canaanite city, had heard reports of Israel's Red Sea crossing (40 years prior) and recent Amorite victories. Canaanite religion involved temple prostitution, making Rahab's profession culturally accepted but morally abhorrent to Yahweh's holiness standards.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Rahab's faith—confessing truth and acting on it despite personal risk—challenge superficial Christian profession today?
  2. What does God's inclusion of a Canaanite prostitute in Messiah's lineage (Matthew 1:5) reveal about grace and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 20

And she said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים3 of 20
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)

יָדַ֕עְתִּי4 of 20

I know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי5 of 20
H3588

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

נָתַ֧ן6 of 20

hath given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֛ה7 of 20

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָכֶ֖ם8 of 20
H0
אֶת9 of 20
H853

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ10 of 20

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְכִֽי11 of 20
H3588

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

נָפְלָ֤ה12 of 20

is fallen

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

אֵֽימַתְכֶם֙13 of 20

and that your terror

H367

fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear)

עָלֵ֔ינוּ14 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְכִ֥י15 of 20
H3588

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

נָמֹ֛גוּ16 of 20

faint

H4127

to melt, i.e., literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear, faint)

כָּל17 of 20
H3605

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י18 of 20

upon us and that all the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֖רֶץ19 of 20

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃20 of 20

because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


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 2:9 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 2:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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