Skip to main content

    Joshua 2 (KJV)

    Read Joshua chapter 2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Joshua 2

    Explore Topics Related to Joshua 2

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Character

    Rahab in the Bible

    The Redeemed Harlot

    Bible Story

    Rahab and the Battle of Jericho

    Joshua 2; 6:1-25 • Conquest & Judges

    Commentary

    Joshua 23:14 Commentary

    In-depth study • God's Faithfulness

    Bible Quiz

    Rahab Bible Quiz

    The harlot of Jericho who hid the spies and found mercy by faith.

    Bible Quiz

    Joshua 6 Quiz — The Fall of Jericho

    Seven days, seven times — walls that fell by faith and obedience.

    Miracle

    The Walls of Jericho Fall

    Israel marched around Jericho for seven days and the walls fell flat at a shout.

    Joshua 2 Summary

    Joshua 2 tells the story of Rahab — a Canaanite prostitute who hides two Israelite spies in Jericho and is saved as a result. Rahab's confession of faith is remarkable: 'The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.' She negotiates safety for her family, and the spies swear an oath sealed by a scarlet cord hung from her window.

    Rahab's story is extraordinary because she is everything an Israelite hero shouldn't be: a Canaanite, a woman, a prostitute, and a liar. Yet she appears in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), is praised in Hebrews 11:31 as a model of faith, and is held up by James as an example of faith producing works. Grace reaches the most unlikely people.

    Key Themes

    Rahab's faithUnlikely heroesScarlet cordGrace to outsidersConfession of God's sovereignty

    Key Verses in Joshua 2

    "For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."

    — Joshua 2:11

    A pagan prostitute makes the most comprehensive confession of God's sovereignty in Joshua.

    "Thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window."

    — Joshua 2:18

    The scarlet cord becomes a symbol of salvation — reminiscent of the Passover blood on doorposts.

    "I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us."

    — Joshua 2:9

    Rahab's intelligence report confirms what God had already promised — the land is theirs.

    Life Application

    Rahab's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy is one of Scripture's most powerful statements about grace. Her past didn't disqualify her — her faith defined her. If you think your history puts you beyond God's reach, Rahab's story says otherwise. God doesn't just tolerate unlikely people; He puts them in the family tree of His Son.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Was Rahab really a prostitute?

    The Hebrew word 'zonah' consistently means prostitute throughout the Old Testament. Both the Old Testament and New Testament (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25) identify her this way without euphemism. Her profession makes her faith — and her inclusion in Christ's genealogy — all the more remarkable.

    What does the scarlet cord symbolize?

    Like the Passover blood on doorposts (Exodus 12), the scarlet cord marked Rahab's house for salvation during judgment. Many see it as a type of Christ's blood — a visible sign of faith that saves from destruction. It connects Rahab's story to the gospel's pattern of salvation through faith.

    Read the full summary of Joshua

    Free Bible widgets and more ways to read