Joshua 2:7
New International Version
So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

New Living Translation
So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.

English Standard Version
So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.

Berean Standard Bible
So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

New American Standard Bible
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan, to the crossing places; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

NASB 1995
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

NASB 1977
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Amplified Bible
So the [king’s] men pursued them on the road to the Jordan as far as the fords [east of Jericho]; as soon as the pursuers had gone out after them, the gate [of the city] was shut.

Christian Standard Bible
The men pursued them along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they left to pursue them, the city gate was shut.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men pursued them along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they left to pursue them, the gate was shut.

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

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king's men pursued them on the road leading to a shallow place to cross the Jordan River. As soon as the king's men had left, the gate was closed.

Good News Translation
The king's men left the city, and then the gate was shut. They went looking for the Israelite spies as far as the place where the road crosses the Jordan.

International Standard Version
So the men pursued them along the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as the search party had left, they shut the city gate after them.

Majority Standard Bible
So the king?s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.

NET Bible
Meanwhile the king's men tried to find them on the road to the Jordan River near the fords. The city gate was shut as soon as they set out in pursuit of them.

New Heart English Bible
The men pursued them the way to the Jordan to the fords: and as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men pursued them the way to Jordan to the fords: and as soon as they who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

World English Bible
The men pursued them along the way to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the fords, and they have shut the gate afterward when the pursuers have gone out after them.

Young's Literal Translation
And the men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the fords, and the gate they have shut afterwards, when the pursuers have gone out after them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men pursued after them the way of Jordan at the passages: and they shut the gate afterwards as they pursuing after them went forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now they that were sent, pursued after them, by the way that leadeth to the fords of the Jordan: and as soon as they were gone out, the gate was presently shut.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But those who had been sent pursued after them along the way that leads to the ford of the Jordan. And as soon as they went out, the gate was closed.

New American Bible
But the pursuers set out along the way to the fords of the Jordan. As soon as they had left to pursue them, the gate was shut.

New Revised Standard Version
So the men pursued them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. As soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the men pursued after them by the way of the Jordan to the fords; and after the pursuers were gone out after the spies, they shut the gate.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men went out after them on the road of the Jordan that is by the crossing, and they shut the gates after those pursuing the spies had gone out.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords; and as soon as they that pursued after them were gone out, the gate was shut.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men followed after them in the way to Jordan to the fords; and the gate was shut.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rahab Welcomes the Spies
6(But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.) 7So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.

Cross References
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 14:5-9
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...

1 Kings 20:33-34
Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. / Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.

2 Kings 6:14-18
the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. / When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” / “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ...

Acts 9:23-25
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Genesis 19:15-17
At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” / But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them. / As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

1 Samuel 19:11-12
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

2 Samuel 17:20-21
When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. / After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

Acts 17:5-10
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

Judges 1:24-25
and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.

1 Samuel 23:25-28
and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there. / Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. / Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

the fords

Judges 3:28
And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

Judges 12:5
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

they shut

Joshua 2:5
And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

Acts 5:23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

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Joshua 2
1. Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim
8. The covenant between her and them
23. Their return and description of events














So the men set out
This phrase indicates immediate action and obedience to the command given by the king of Jericho. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "רדף" (radaph), which means to pursue or chase. This reflects the urgency and determination of the men to capture the spies. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the diligence required in pursuing righteousness and the things of God.

in pursuit of the spies
The word "pursuit" underscores the intensity and seriousness of the mission. The Hebrew word "רדף" (radaph) is used again, emphasizing the relentless nature of their chase. Historically, this pursuit highlights the fear and threat perceived by the people of Jericho regarding the Israelites. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare Christians face, where vigilance and perseverance are necessary.

along the road to the fords of the Jordan
The "road to the fords of the Jordan" indicates a specific and strategic path. The fords were shallow parts of the river where crossing was possible, making them critical points of interest. Archaeologically, this reflects the geographical knowledge and tactical planning of the time. Spiritually, it symbolizes the crossing from the old life into the promises of God, akin to the believer's journey from sin to salvation.

and as soon as they had gone out
This phrase suggests a precise timing and coordination in the actions of the men and the closing of the gate. The Hebrew word "יצא" (yatsa) means to go out or depart, indicating a transition. It highlights God's providence in orchestrating events for His purposes, reassuring believers of His sovereignty in their lives.

the gate was shut
The shutting of the gate signifies security and protection for the city of Jericho. In ancient times, city gates were crucial for defense, and their closure marked the end of the day's activities. Spiritually, it represents the closing off of opportunities for the enemy, as well as the protection God provides for His people. It also foreshadows the eventual fall of Jericho, reminding believers that earthly defenses are no match for divine intervention.

Verse 7. - Unto the fords. There were several of these fords. One near Jericho (cf, Judges 3:28; Judges 12:5, 6; 2 Samuel 17:22, 24; 2 Samuel 19:16, 19, 39); one at Bethsean, now Beisan, leading to Succoth (Judges 8:4; cf. Genesis 32:22; Genesis 33:17. See Robinson, ' Biblical Researches' 2:497; Ritter, 'Geography of Palestine'); beside others not mentioned in Scripture. A vivid description of the crossing the Jordan at the fords near Jericho is to be found in Tristrain's 'Land of Israel,' p. 520. The ford is almost certainly the one mentioned here, since an hour or two's ride brought the party to Shittim. These fords were easy to cross save when the Jordan, as was now the case (Joshua 3:15), overflowed its banks. This may have been the reason why the pursuers did not cross the fords, but they pursued the spies to the fords, hoping to find their retreat cut off. This is rendered more probable by the fact (ver. 22) that the pursuers appear to have continued their search after leaving the fords.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the [king's] men
וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים (wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

set out in pursuit
רָדְפ֤וּ (rā·ḏə·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

[of the spies]
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

along the road
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

to
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the fords
הַֽמַּעְבְּר֑וֹת (ham·ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4569: A crossing-place, a transit, overwhelming

of the Jordan,
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (hay·yar·dên)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine

and as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

soon as they
יָצְא֥וּ (yā·ṣə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

had gone out,
הָרֹדְפִ֖ים (hā·rō·ḏə·p̄îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

the gate
וְהַשַּׁ֣עַר (wə·haš·ša·‘ar)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

was shut.
סָגָ֔רוּ (sā·ḡā·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender


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OT History: Joshua 2:7 The men pursued them the way (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 2:6
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