Judges 1:24
New International Version
the spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Show us how to get into the city and we will see that you are treated well.”

New Living Translation
They confronted a man coming out of the town and said to him, “Show us a way into the town, and we will have mercy on you.”

English Standard Version
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the way into the city, and we will deal kindly with you.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

New King James Version
And when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will show you mercy.”

New American Standard Bible
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will treat you kindly.”

NASB 1995
The spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city and we will treat you kindly.”

NASB 1977
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city and we will treat you kindly.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will treat you with lovingkindness.”

Amplified Bible
The spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city and we will treat you kindly.”

Christian Standard Bible
The spies saw a man coming out of the town and said to him, “Please show us how to get into town, and we will show you kindness.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The spies saw a man coming out of the town and said to him, “Please show us how to get into town, and we will treat you well.”

American Standard Version
And the watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with thee.

Contemporary English Version
While the spies were watching the town, a man came out, and they told him, "If you show us how our army can get into the town, we will make sure that you aren't harmed."

English Revised Version
And the watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The spies saw a man coming out of the city. They told him, "Show us how we can get into the city, and we'll treat you kindly."

Good News Translation
who saw a man leaving and said to him, "Show us how to get into the city, and we won't hurt you."

International Standard Version
The scouts observed a man coming out of the city and they promised him, "Please show us the entrance to the city and we'll deal kindly with you."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
the spies spotted a man leaving the city. They said to him, "If you show us a secret entrance into the city, we will reward you."

New Heart English Bible
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they captured him, and they said to him, "Please show us the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will show thee mercy.

World English Bible
The watchers saw a man come out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the watchers see a man coming out from the city, and say to him, “Please show us the entrance of the city, and we have done kindness with you.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the watchers see a man coming out from the city, and say to him, 'Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance of the city, and we have done with thee kindness.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they watching will see a man coming out of the city, and they will say to him, Show to us the entrance of the city, and we will do mercy with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him: Shew us the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
they saw a man departing from the city, and they said to him, “Reveal to us the entrance to the city, and we will act with mercy toward you.”

New American Bible
The scouts saw a man coming out of the city and said to him, “Tell us the way into the city, and we will show you mercy.”

New Revised Standard Version
When the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Show us the way into the city, and we will deal kindly with you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, Show us the entrance into the city, and we will have mercy on you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the garrison saw a man going out from the city and they were saying to him: “Show us which is the entrance of the city and we will make peace with you”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him: 'Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the spies looked, and behold, a man went out of the city, and they took him; and they said to him, Shew us the way into the city, and we will deal mercifully with thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem and Hebron Captured
23They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), 24and 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.” 25So 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.…

Cross References
Joshua 2:1-24
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. / And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” / So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” ...

Joshua 6:22-25
Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” / So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. / Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. ...

Numbers 13:1-33
And the LORD said to Moses, / “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” / So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, ...

Numbers 14:6-9
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes / and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. / If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. ...

Deuteronomy 1:22-25
Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe. / They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied out the land. ...

1 Samuel 30:11-15
Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat— / a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights. / Then David asked him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” “I am an Egyptian,” he replied, “the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me three days ago when I fell ill. ...

2 Samuel 10:3
the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?”

2 Kings 7:12
So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”

2 Kings 6:13-14
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Proverbs 20:19
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Luke 10:3
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

John 4:28-30
Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, / “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” / So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said to him, Show us, we pray you, the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy.

we will

Joshua 2:12-14
Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: …

1 Samuel 30:15
And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

Jump to Previous
City Clear Deal Entrance Kind Kindly Kindness Mercy Please Shew Show Spies Treat Treated Watchers Way
Jump to Next
City Clear Deal Entrance Kind Kindly Kindness Mercy Please Shew Show Spies Treat Treated Watchers Way
Judges 1
1. The acts of Judah and Simeon
4. Adonibezek justly requited
8. Jerusalem taken
10. Hebron taken
11. Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir
16. The Kenites dwell in Judah
17. Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken
21. The acts of Benjamin
22. Of the house of Joseph, who take Bethel
30. Of Zebulun
31. Of Asher
33. Of Naphtali
34. Of Dan














and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city
This phrase indicates a strategic moment in the narrative. The spies, likely sent by the tribe of Judah, are on a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence about the city. The act of seeing a man coming out suggests a divine providence, as this encounter provides them with an opportunity to gain insider information. The city in question is Bethel, previously known as Luz, a significant location in Israel's history, associated with Jacob's dream (Genesis 28:19). The presence of spies reflects a common military tactic in ancient warfare, where intelligence gathering was crucial for successful conquests.

they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city,
The request made by the spies is both strategic and diplomatic. They seek a way into the city, indicating that Bethel was fortified and not easily accessible. This reflects the common practice of cities being walled for protection against invaders. The use of "please" suggests a polite approach, possibly to gain the man's trust and cooperation. This interaction can be compared to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, where spies also sought assistance from a local inhabitant. The request implies a promise of safety or reward, a common practice in espionage and warfare.

and we will treat you kindly.”
The promise of kindness is a form of negotiation, offering the man a reward for his assistance. This reflects the cultural practice of making covenants or agreements, which were binding and taken seriously in ancient times. The term "kindly" suggests a favorable outcome for the man, possibly sparing his life or offering him protection. This mirrors the covenant made with Rahab, where her cooperation led to her and her family's preservation (Joshua 6:25). The offer of kindness can also be seen as a type of Christ, who offers grace and mercy to those who assist in His mission.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Spies
These are the men sent by the tribe of Joseph to scout the city of Bethel. Their role is crucial in the strategic conquest of the land.

2. Man from the City
An unnamed individual who becomes pivotal in the capture of Bethel by providing the necessary information to the spies.

3. City of Bethel
A significant location in the tribal allotment of the Israelites, originally known as Luz. It holds historical and spiritual importance in Israel's history.

4. Tribe of Joseph
Refers to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who are responsible for capturing Bethel.

5. Event of Negotiation
The interaction between the spies and the man from the city, which leads to the successful capture of Bethel.
Teaching Points
Divine Strategy and Human Agency
God often uses human actions and decisions to fulfill His divine purposes. The spies' negotiation with the man from Bethel demonstrates the interplay between divine providence and human initiative.

The Role of Faith in Conquest
Just as the spies acted on faith to secure Bethel, believers are called to step out in faith in their spiritual battles, trusting in God's guidance and provision.

The Importance of Discernment
The spies' ability to discern and negotiate with the man from the city underscores the need for wisdom and discernment in our interactions and decisions.

Kindness as a Strategic Tool
The promise to treat the man kindly reflects the biblical principle of kindness, which can open doors and create opportunities for God's purposes to be fulfilled.

God's Use of the Unlikely
The unnamed man from Bethel, like Rahab, shows that God can use unexpected individuals to accomplish His plans, reminding us not to underestimate anyone's potential role in God's work.(24) The spies.--Perhaps, rather, the scouts of the blockading squadron. The Israelites, like most ancient nations, were little able to take cities by storm, and relied either on blockade or on internal treachery.

Saw a man come forth.--Probably he stole out secretly, and was seized by the scouts. Similarly the Persians took Sardis by seizing a path used by a man who had dropped his helmet, and descended the hill fortress to pick it up (Herod. i. 84).

We will shew thee mercy.--They bribed him. with the promise of personal safety. (Compare Joshua 2:12; Joshua 2:6)

Verse 24. - We will show thee mercy. Compare the saving of Rahab alive, with all her house, at the taking of Jericho (Joshua 6:23). This history is not preserved in the parallel place in Joshua 16.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and when the spies
הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים (haš·šō·mə·rîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

saw
וַיִּרְאוּ֙ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

a man
אִ֖ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

coming out
יוֹצֵ֣א (yō·w·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the city,
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

they said
וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֗וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Please
נָא֙ (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

show
הַרְאֵ֤נוּ (har·’ê·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

us how to get into
מְב֣וֹא (mə·ḇō·w)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards

the city,
הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and we will treat
וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּ (wə·‘ā·śî·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

you
עִמְּךָ֖ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

kindly.”
חָֽסֶד׃ (ḥā·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty


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OT History: Judges 1:24 The watchers saw a man come forth (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 1:23
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