King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:22 Mean?

Joshua 6:22 in the King James Version says “But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence th...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.”

Joshua 6:22 · KJV

Context

20

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. flat: Heb. under it

21

And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

22

But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

23

And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. kindred: Heb. families

24

And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The spies remained in the mountains three days until their pursuers returned—demonstrating wise caution after Rahab's counsel (verse 16). The number three appears frequently in Scripture associated with divine timing and resurrection (Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:40). Their waiting tested patience but ensured safety. They trusted Rahab's local knowledge rather than presuming on God's protection through recklessness. This balance between faith and wisdom is crucial: God's providence often works through natural means and prudent decisions. After three days, they passed over (עָבַר—abar, to cross) and came to Joshua—the same verb used for crossing the Jordan. Their successful return confirmed God's providential protection and Rahab's reliable intelligence. They reported that 'truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land'—drawing the correct theological conclusion. Unlike the fearful spies of Numbers 13-14 who saw obstacles, these spies saw God's sovereign control. Their report focused not on Canaanite strength but on Canaanite fear: 'all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.' Rahab's testimony (verse 11) proved representative of broader Canaanite despair.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The mountains west of Jericho provided numerous caves and rough terrain ideal for hiding. Archaeological surveys confirm the area's suitability for concealment. The three-day wait allowed Jericho's search parties to exhaust their pursuit—ancient tracking methods couldn't sustain searches indefinitely. The king of Jericho's response (verse 3) shows city-states took Israelite spies seriously as existential threats. The spies' successful mission provided both practical intelligence (Canaanite demoralization) and spiritual encouragement (God's promise confirmed). Their report to Joshua contrasts sharply with the earlier generation's fearful assessment forty years prior. Where the ten spies saw giants and themselves as grasshoppers (Numbers 13:33), these two spies saw a sovereign God who had already given victory. This difference illustrates how faith transforms perception—same enemies, different lens. The spies' faith proved contagious, strengthening Israel's corporate faith for the conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the spies' combination of faith (trusting God's promise) and wisdom (hiding three days) inform your decision-making?
  2. What causes the difference between these faithful spies and the fearful spies of Numbers 13—same God, same enemies?
  3. How does focusing on God's sovereignty rather than circumstances change your assessment of challenges?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְלִשְׁנַ֨יִם1 of 22

“unto the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים2 of 22

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַֽמְרַגְּלִ֤ים3 of 22

“that had spied out”

H7270

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

אֶת4 of 22
H853

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

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙5 of 22

“the country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אָמַ֣ר6 of 22

“had said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ7 of 22

“But Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

בֹּ֖אוּ8 of 22

“Go”

H935

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

בֵּית9 of 22

“house”

H1004

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

הָֽאִשָּׁה֙10 of 22

“thence the woman”

H802

a woman

הַזּוֹנָ֑ה11 of 22

“into the harlot's”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ12 of 22

“and bring out”

H3318

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

מִשָּׁ֤ם13 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת14 of 22
H853

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

הָֽאִשָּׁה֙15 of 22

“thence the woman”

H802

a woman

וְאֶת16 of 22
H853

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

כָּל17 of 22
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר18 of 22
H834

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

לָ֔הּ19 of 22
H0
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 22
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּעְתֶּ֖ם21 of 22

“and all that she hath as ye sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לָֽהּ׃22 of 22
H0

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 6:22 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 6:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 11:31Ezekiel 17:18-19Joshua 6:17Ezekiel 17:13Psalms 15:4Ezekiel 17:16

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