Joshua

The Spies

Joshua secretly sent two spies from Shittim with the order: “Go and carefully examine the land, especially the city of Jericho.” The spies went, and as soon as they arrived in Jericho, they went to the house of the prostitute Rahab.

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

The king of Jericho said to Rahab: “Send those men out of your house because they came to spy on the land.”

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.

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

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

The pursuers searched for them along the road to the Jordan Valley, and as they left, the city gates were closed.

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

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

We know how the Lord 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 on the other side of the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you destroyed by an act of anathema.

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

Now, swear to me by the Lord that just as I have been faithful to you, so shall you be faithful to my family,

and respect the lives of my father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and all that belongs to them.”

The men answered: “Provided that you do not reveal our talk, then we will repay with life for life when the Lord gives us this land, and we will deal generously and faithfully with you.”

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

But she told 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 you may go your way.”

They answered: “See how we shall fulfill our oath.

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.

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.

However, be careful not to reveal our plan. If you do, we are freed from our sworn oath.”

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

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

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

They told Joshua:“The Lord has given all this land into our hands; their inhabitants already tremble before us.”