Joshua 2:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

יְרִיח֔וֹ

H3405

of Jericho

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָחָ֖ב

H7343

unto Rahab

rachab, a canaanitess

לֵאמֹ֑ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

ה֠וֹצִיאִי

H3318

Bring forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֨ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בָּֽאוּ׃

H935

for they be come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#10

אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

בָּֽאוּ׃

H935

for they be come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#13

לְבֵיתֵ֔ךְ

H1004

into thine house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#14

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#15

לַחְפֹּ֥ר

H2658

to search out

properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore

#16

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#18

הָאָ֖רֶץ

H776

all the country

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#19

בָּֽאוּ׃

H935

for they be come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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