Joshua 2 · Verse 8

Joshua 2:8

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Joshua 2:8, King James Version

Joshua 2:8 in other translations

BSBBefore the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof
WEBBefore they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof.
ASVAnd before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
YLTAnd--before they lie down--she hath gone up unto them on the roof,
DARBYAnd before they had lain down, she went up to them upon the roof;
BBEAnd before the men went to rest, she came up to them on the roof,
WebsterAnd before they had lain down, she came up to them upon the roof;

What does Joshua 2:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 2:8-13

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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Joshua 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, Psa 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Joshua 2:8 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהֵ֖מָּהve.He.mahand theyH1992
טֶ֣רֶםTe.remnot yetH2962
יִשְׁכָּב֑וּןyish.ka.Vunthey had lain down !H7901
וְהִ֛יאve.Hi'and sheH1931
עָלְתָ֥ה'al.Tahshe went upH5927
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם'a.lei.Hemto themH5921
עַל\־'al-onH5921
הַגָּֽג\׃ha.Gagthe roofH1406

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Context

  • Joshua 2:7

    And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

  • Joshua 2:8

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

  • Joshua 2:9

    And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Read all of Joshua 2

Joshua 2:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Mas antes que ellos durmiesen, ella subió á ellos al terrado, y díjoles:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et, avant qu’ils se couchent, elle monta vers les hommes sur le toit,
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und ehe sie sich niederlegten, stieg sie zu ihnen auf das Dach hinauf
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Necdum obdormierant qui latebant, et ecce mulier ascendit ad eos, et ait: