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Joshua, 2

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.

1. Joshua sent two spies secretly from Shittim with the following order "Go and look over the land well, especially the city of Jericho." The spies went and as soon as they came to Jericho, they went to the house of the prostitute named Rahab.

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.

2. But someone told the king of Jericho: "Some Israelites have entered here tonight to spy on us."

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.

3. So the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab: "Send those men out of your house because they came to spy on the land."

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]:

4. But the woman had hidden them, so she said: "It is true; they came to my house but I did not know where they came from.

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.

5. And at nightfall, shortly before the city gates were to be closed, they went out. I do not know where they went, but hurry and you will surely overtake them."

6. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

6. The woman had hidden them on the roof of the house, under the stalks of flax which she kept there.

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.

7. The pursuers went to search for them by the road leading to the valley of the Jordan, and as they went out, the city gates were closed.

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

8. Then the woman went up to where she had hidden the spies of Joshua,

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.

9. and she said to them: "I know that Yahweh, your God, has given this land to you; we are frightened and the inhabitants of the land tremble before you.

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.

10. We know how Yahweh dried up the waters of the Red Sea to let you cross when you came out of Egypt. We know what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who lived at the other side of the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you destroyed by anathema.

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.

11. The news has frightened us, and everyone has lost courage because of you, for Yahweh, your God, is God in heaven above as he is on earth below.

12. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

12. Now then, swear to me by Yahweh that just as I have been faithful to you, so shall you be towards my family,

13. And [that] ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

13. and respect the life of my father, mother, brothers and sisters, and all that belong to them."

14. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

14. The men answered: "Provided that you do not reveal our talk, then we will pay back life for life when Yahweh hands over to us this land, and we will deal generously and faithfully with you."

15. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house [was] upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

15. Then she let them down by a rope through the window, since her house was built into the city wall.

16. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

16. But she said to them: "Go through the mountains so that you do not meet those who pursue you. Remain in hiding for three days, until they return, and then you may go your way."

17. And the men said unto her, We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

17. They answered: "See how we shall fulfill our oath.

18. Behold, [when] we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

18. When we enter this land, tie this scarlet cord as a sign on the window through which we have escaped. Bring into your house your father, mother, brothers and sisters, and all your relatives.

19. And it shall be, [that] whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood [shall be] upon his head, and we [will be] guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood [shall be] on our head, if [any] hand be upon him.

19. If any of them leaves the house, he shall be the one responsible for his death, and the guilt will not be ours. But if anyone who is with you is killed, then may the punishment for his death come upon us.

20. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

20. However, be careful not to reveal our plan. If you do, then we are freed from the oath we have sworn."

21. And she said, According unto your words, so [be] it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

21. Rahab said to them: "So be it." And after she had sent them off, she tied the scarlet cord to the window.

22. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought [them] throughout all the way, but found [them] not.

22. The men went into the mountains and hid there for three days, until their pursuers had returned. These men had searched in vain for them everywhere.

23. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all [things] that befell them:

23. Then the two spies came down again from the mountains and, crossing the Jordan River, came to Joshua, son of Nun, and gave him an account of their mission and everything that had happened.

24. And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

24. They said to Joshua: "Yahweh has given all this land into our hands; their inhabitants already tremble before us."



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Note a piè di pagina:

2:1 - Joshua sends two spies to Jericho, demonstrating prudent strategy in preparing for conquest. This action highlights the importance of intelligence and planning in obeying God (see also Proverbs 15:22 and Luke 14:31-32).

2:2-7 - Rahab's protection of the spies illustrates her faith in God. She recognizes God's sovereignty and His action on Israel's behalf, demonstrating that even foreigners can be instruments of divine grace (see also Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25).

2:8-11 - Rahab confesses her belief in the God of Israel, demonstrating a faith that transcends cultural and social barriers. This declaration is an example of conversion and acceptance of God's plan (see also Romans 10:9-10 and Acts 10:34-35).

2:12-14 - Rahab makes a pact with the spies, asking for protection for her family. Her loyalty and courage reflect an example of active faith that seeks salvation through obedience (see also 1 Peter 3:15 and Matthew 7:7).

2:15-21 - The scarlet cord that Rahab hangs in the window symbolizes protection and salvation for her household. This prophetic sign shows the importance of faith and obedience in times of judgment (see also Exodus 12:13 and Hebrews 9:22).

Versi relativi a Joshua, 2:

Joshua chapter 2 reports on the mission of the spies in Jericho. What role does a foreigner’s faith play? This moving text tells how Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho, hides the Israelite spies and declares her faith in the God of Israel. The chapter explores themes of faith, redemption, and God's sovereignty over all nations. Joshua 2 also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the divine plan of salvation. Consider with us five biblical passages that correlate with the surprising themes of this eye-opening chapter.

Hebrews 11:31: "By faith the prostitute Rahab was not killed with the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace." - This verse interprets Rahab's actions in Joshua 2 as an act of faith.

James 2:25: "In a similar way, was not the prostitute Rahab also justified by works, when she welcomed the spies and made them go out another way?" - James uses the example of Rahab from Joshua 2 to illustrate faith accompanied by works.

Matthew 1:5: "Salmon begat Boaz, whose mother was Rahab; Boaz fathered Obed, whose mother was Ruth; Obed begat Jesse," - This verse shows that Rahab, mentioned in Joshua 2, became part of Jesus' lineage.

Psalms 127:1: "If the Lord is not the builder of the house, it will be useless to work on the construction. If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, it will be useless for the sentry to stand guard." - This psalm reflects Rahab's recognition in Joshua 2:9-11 that the Lord was with Israel.

Romans 3:29-30: "Is God only for the Jews? Is he not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God, who will justify the circumcised and the uncircumcised by faith." - This verse reflects the inclusion of Rahab, a Gentile, in the history of Israel in Joshua 2.

FAQ:

Who was Rahab and what was her role in the conquest of Jericho?

Rahab was a woman from Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape. In return, she and her family were spared during the conquest of Jericho. (Joshua 2:1, 15-21)

How were the spies helped by Rahab?

Rahab hid the spies in her house and helped them escape from the soldiers in Jericho, ensuring their safety until they returned to the Israelite camp. (Joshua 2:4-6)

What was the sign that Rahab used to ensure the safety of her family?

Rahab wore a scarlet cord in the window of her house as a signal to the Israelites, ensuring that her home would be spared during the invasion. (Joshua 2:18-21)

What was the promise made by the spies to Rahab?

The spies promised that when they conquered Jericho, her house would be spared and she and her family would be saved, according to the sign of the scarlet cord. (Joshua 2:14)

How is Rahab's story significant to the narrative of Joshua?

Rahab's story demonstrates the importance of faith and obedience, showing how an act of courage and faith can lead to salvation and inclusion in God's plan. (Joshua 2:1-21)


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