New International Version Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof New Living Translation Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. English Standard Version Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof Berean Standard Bible Before the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof Berean Literal Bible And before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof. King James Bible And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; New King James Version Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, New American Standard Bible Now before the spies lay down, she came up to them on the roof, NASB 1995 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, NASB 1977 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, Legacy Standard Bible Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof Amplified Bible Now before the two men lay down [to sleep], Rahab came up to them on the roof, Berean Annotated Bible Before the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof Christian Standard Bible Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof Holman Christian Standard Bible Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof American Standard Version And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; Contemporary English Version Rahab went back up to her roof. The spies were still awake, so she told them: English Revised Version And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; GOD'S WORD® Translation Before the spies fell asleep, Rahab went up to them on the roof. Good News Translation Before the spies settled down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof International Standard Version Before the scouts had lain down, she went up to them on the roof NET Bible Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof. New Heart English Bible Before they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof; Webster's Bible Translation And before they had lain down, she came up to them upon the roof; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBefore the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof World English Bible Before they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd before they lie down, she has gone up to them on the roof, Berean Literal Bible And before they lay 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, Smith's Literal Translation And before they will lie down; and she went up to them upon the roof; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe men that were hidden were not yet asleep, when behold the woman went up to them, and said: Catholic Public Domain Version Those who were hiding had not yet fallen asleep, and behold, the woman went up to them, and she said: New American Bible Before the spies lay down, Rahab went up to them on the roof New Revised Standard Version Before they went to sleep, she came up to them on the roof Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd before they lay down, she came up to them upon the roof; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they still had not fallen asleep, and she went up to them on the roof OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass when the men who pursued after them were gone forth, and before the spies had lain down to sleep, that she came up to them on the top of the house; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Promise to Rahab8Before the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof 9and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you.… Cross References Before the spies lay down for the night, Genesis 19:4-5 Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house. / They called out to Lot, saying, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have relations with them!” Numbers 13:17-20 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. / See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. / Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? … Judges 19:22-23 While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!” / The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. Rahab went up on the roof Acts 10:9-11 The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray. / He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 2 Samuel 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient. James 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? Exodus 15:14-16 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by. Deuteronomy 2:25 This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.” Deuteronomy 11:25 No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you. Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites. Joshua 9:9-10 “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt, / and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Psalm 22:27-28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. / For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations. Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. Isaiah 41:5 The islands see and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward. Treasury of Scripture And before they were laid down, she came up to them on the roof; Jump to Previous Laid Lie Night Rest Roof SpiesJump to Next Laid Lie Night Rest Roof SpiesJoshua 2 1. Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim8. The covenant between her and them 23. Their return and description of events Before the spies lay down for the night, Rahab acted while the men were still awake and before the city’s search intensified. The spies had entered Jericho on Joshua’s command to assess its defenses and condition before Israel crossed the Jordan. Their presence in the city placed them in immediate danger. Gen 19:4-5 Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city… Rahab went up on the roof Rahab went up on the roof, where she had hidden the spies beneath stalks of flax. From this private setting, she openly acknowledged Jericho’s fear of Israel and declared her conviction that the Lord had given the land to His people. Though a Canaanite woman with a sinful past, Rahab chose to identify with the God of Israel and to protect His servants. Act 10:9-11 The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were… Persons / Places / Events 1. RahabA Canaanite woman living in Jericho, known for her occupation as a prostitute. Despite her background, she plays a crucial role in the Israelite spies' mission. 2. The Spies Two men sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. Their mission is to gather intelligence on the city's defenses and the morale of its inhabitants. 3. Jericho A fortified city in Canaan, significant for its strategic location and formidable walls. It represents the first major obstacle for the Israelites in their conquest of the Promised Land. 4. The Roof The location where Rahab hides the spies. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, roofs were often flat and used for various domestic activities. 5. The Night Symbolic of secrecy and danger, the night provides cover for Rahab's actions and the spies' mission. Teaching Points Faith in ActionRahab's decision to hide the spies demonstrates her faith in the God of Israel. True faith often requires taking risks and making difficult choices. God's Sovereignty Despite her background, Rahab is used by God to fulfill His purposes. This illustrates that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to accomplish His will. Courage and Obedience Rahab's actions required immense courage. Believers are called to be courageous and obedient, even when it means going against societal norms or personal risk. Divine Providence The timing of Rahab's intervention shows God's providential care in orchestrating events for the good of His people. Redemption and Inclusion Rahab's account is a powerful example of redemption and inclusion in God's family, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 2:8?2. How does Rahab's faith in Joshua 2:8 inspire our trust in God's plans? 3. What can we learn from Rahab's actions about God's sovereignty and protection? 4. How does Rahab's story connect with Hebrews 11:31 on faith and works? 5. In what ways can we demonstrate courage like Rahab in our daily lives? 6. How does Rahab's acknowledgment of God challenge us to witness to others? 7. How does Joshua 2:8 demonstrate God's sovereignty in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan? 8. What role does Rahab's faith play in the narrative of Joshua 2:8? 9. How does Joshua 2:8 reflect the theme of divine intervention in human affairs? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 2? Verse 8. - And before they were laid down, i.e., to sleep on the roof, a common practice in the East in summer. Joshua 2:8 portrays a decisive, faith-filled woman acting at the exact right moment, taking the initiative, and using her own rooftop as a sanctuary for God’s agents. The verse invites believers to seize God-given opportunities promptly, step forward in courageous faith, and transform everyday spaces into arenas for His deliverance. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Beforeטֶ֣רֶם (ṭe·rem) Adverb Strong's 2962: Non-occurrence, not yet, before [the spies] וְהֵ֖מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They lay down for the night, יִשְׁכָּב֑וּן (yiš·kā·ḇūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 7901: To lie down [Rahab] וְהִ֛יא (wə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are went up עָלְתָ֥ה (‘ā·lə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively on עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the roof הַגָּֽג׃ (hag·gāḡ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar Additonal Resources Joshua 2:8 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 2:8 Bible Gateway Joshua 2:8 Bible.com Joshua 2:8 NIV |



