Joshua 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.

◄ Joshua 2:4 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.

English Standard Version
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.

New American Standard Bible
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.

King James Bible
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:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, "Yes, the men did come to me, but I didn't know where they were from.

International Standard Version
Now the woman had taken the two men and hid them. So she replied, "The men really did come to me, but I didn't know from where they came.

American Standard Version
And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I knew not whence they were:

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the woman taking the men, hid them, and said: I confess they came to me, but I knew not whence they were:

Darby Bible Translation
And the woman had taken and concealed the two men; and she said, Yes, the men did come unto me, but I knew not whence they were;

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman taketh the two men, and hideth them, and saith thus: 'The men came in unto me, and I have not known whence they are;

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:1-7 Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab appears to have been an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad life, which is doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us most accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve great ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, Jas 2:25; and she did it by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man. Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God; they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not for lucre or for any evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4-6. the woman took the two men, and hid them—literally, "him," that is, each of them in separate places, of course previous to the appearance of the royal messengers and in anticipation of a speedy search after her guests. According to Eastern manners, which pay an almost superstitious respect to a woman's apartment, the royal messengers did not demand admittance to search but asked her to bring the foreigners out.