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Joshua 2:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 2:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Joshua 2:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by Jehovah, since I have dealt kindly with you, that ye also will deal kindly with my father`s house, and give me a true token;
13and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.
14And the men said unto her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business; and it shall be, when Jehovah giveth us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
16And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers light upon you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
18Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father`s household.
← Joshua 2:14Joshua 2:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then she let them down by a cord through the window, etc.] Which must be large, and the cord strong, as well as she herself a masculine woman, to let down two men by it, unless she employed any of her servants in the affair; though this being so great a secrecy, it is probable she trusted none of her domestics with it as little as possible: in like manner the Apostle Paul was let down by the wall of Damascus in a basket, (<440925>Acts 9:25); Jarchi supposes it was the same cord and window, by means of and in at which her gallants used to come and go: for her house [was] upon the town wall; in a suitable and convenient place to receive her guests and gallants: and it is observed, that harlots…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“her house was upon the town wall--In many Oriental cities houses are built on the walls with overhanging windows; in others the town wall forms the back wall of the house, so that the window opens into the country. Rahab's was probably of this latter description, and the cord or rope sufficiently strong to bear the weight of a man.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Upon the town wall - The town wall probably formed the back wall of the house, and the window opened therefore into the country. (Compare Paul’s escape, 2 Corinthians 11:33). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Town - wall - Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing them when the gates were shut. Upon the wall - Her particular dwelling was there: which may possibly be added, because the other part of her house was reserved for the entertainment of strangers. Joshua 2:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:15 Because Rahab’s house stood on the town wall, she could hide the men on the flat roof of her house (2:6) and let them out through the window, down the outer side of the wall.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“she let them: Sa1 19:12-17; Act 9:25; Co2 11:33 for her house: Jos 6:20 Joshua 2:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rahab then let them down by a rope through the window, namely, into the open country; for her house stood against or upon the town wall, so that she lived upon the wall, and advised them to get to the mountains, that they might not meet the men who had been sent out in pursuit of them, and to hide themselves there for three days, when the pursuers would have returned. Joshua 2:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification