Joshua 2:8
 Joshua 2:8 
New International Version (©2011)
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof

New Living Translation (©2007)
Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof

International Standard Version (©2012)
Before the scouts had lain down, she went up to them on the roof

NET Bible (©2006)
Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Before the spies fell asleep, Rahab went up to them on the roof.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

American King James Version
And before they were laid down, she came up to them on the roof;

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
The men that were hidden were not yet asleep, when behold the woman went up to them, and said:

Darby Bible Translation
And before they had lain down, she went up to them upon the roof;

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

Webster's Bible Translation
And before they had lain down, she came up to them upon the roof;

World English Bible
Before they had laid down, she came up to them on the roof;

Young's Literal Translation
And -- before they lie down -- she hath gone up unto them on the roof,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:8-21 Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often expressed by his kindness and truth, Ps 117:2; in both these we must be followers of him. Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them. The spies make needful conditions. The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the passover, recalls to remembrance the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ; and that we are to flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a justly offended God. The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israelites, was to be used for her own safety. What we serve and honour God with, we may expect he will bless, and make useful to us.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - And before they were laid down, i.e., to sleep on the roof, a common practice in the East in summer.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And before they were laid down,.... Under the stalks of the flax; or rather, since they are said to be hid in them, before they were fallen asleep, so Kimchi and Abarbinel:

she came up unto them upon the roof; to acquaint them how things were, and to converse with them on the following subjects.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 2:8-21. The Covenant between Her and Them.

8-13. she came up unto them upon the roof and said—Rahab's dialogue is full of interest, as showing the universal panic and consternation of the Canaanites on the one hand (Jos 24:11; De 2:25), and her strong convictions on the other, founded on a knowledge of the divine promise, and the stupendous miracles that had opened the way of the Israelites to the confines of the promised land. She was convinced of the supremacy of Jehovah, and her earnest stipulations for the preservation of her relatives amid the perils of the approaching invasion, attest the sincerity and strength of her faith.


Joshua 2:8 Parallel Commentaries

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Rahab Welcomes the Spies
7And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan to the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. 8And before they were laid down, she came up to them on the roof; 9And she said to the men, I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. …

Joshua 2:7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
Joshua 2:9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.