Joshua 2:23-24
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After their daring escape, the spies didn't just report what happened, but everything that "found them," highlighting the profound terror that had already seized Jericho. This emphasizes that Rahab's courageous act of faith had already tipped the scales, creating a spiritual dread that would precede Israel's physical victory.
Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having narrowly escaped Jericho and hidden in the mountains for three days, the two spies make their way back across the Jordan River to Joshua. They report everything that happened, from their encounter with Rahab and her courageous deception of the king's men to the widespread terror that grips the land's inhabitants. This crucial intelligence confirms that God is indeed giving them victory and empowers Joshua to lead Israel forward.
Imagine the tension as Joshua and the Israelite camp waited. What crucial information did these two men bring back, and why was it so vital?
The return of the spies wasn't just the end of their mission; it was the beginning of a crucial intelligence briefing for Joshua. Their report, detailed in the following verse, confirmed what Rahab had told them: the land was essentially theirs for the taking. Fear had already crippled the hearts of the Canaanites, making them ripe for conquest. This information was critical for Joshua to strategize the invasion and rally the people's confidence. It wasn't just news; it was divine confirmation delivered through human messengers.
Think about it: The success of an entire nation's future hinged on the accurate and timely report of these two men. Their journey, fraught with danger, culminated in delivering the intelligence that would fuel the army's faith and direct their attack.
These spies faced incredible risk – capture, interrogation, and death. Yet, they returned not just with their lives, but with vital intelligence. How does their journey speak to us?
The spies' mission was far from a simple walk in the park. They had to infiltrate a hostile city, evade detection, be hidden by a courageous woman, and escape pursuers. Their journey involved descending from the mountains, swimming the Jordan River (as it was likely too high to ford), and finally reaching Joshua.
Their survival wasn't luck; it was a testament to Rahab's intervention and their own resourcefulness. More importantly, their successful return demonstrates the profound commitment required to bring back crucial information, even at great personal risk. Their experience shows that God can use unlikely circumstances and people (like Rahab) to protect His messengers and accomplish His purposes.
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Understand the original words
erets · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant God made with Israel, promising them the land of Canaan as an inheritance. It represents not only physical territory but also the place where God’s presence and rule were to be established among His people.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A primary designation for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping, self-existent One who revealed Himself to Moses. It signifies His holiness, faithfulness, and authority over all creation and nations.
mug · Hebrew Verb
In this context, it refers to a state of internal collapse, terror, and loss of courage. It describes the reaction of those who realize they are under God’s judgment and that their resistance against His people is futile.
The spies' successful return, despite the Jordan River being at flood stage, highlights God's providential care and the growing fear among the Canaanites, emboldening Joshua and the Israelites for the upcoming conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Israelites camp at Shittim
The Israelites are camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, following their forty years of wandering in the desert.
c. 1406 BC
Spies sent to Jericho
Joshua, now the leader of Israel, secretly sends two spies to scout the city of Jericho and the land beyond the Jordan.
c. 1406 BC
Spies hide with Rahab
The spies take refuge in the house of Rahab, a prostitute, who hides them from the king's men who were searching for them.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Spies escape Jericho
After hiding for three days in the hills surrounding Jericho, the spies make their way back across the Jordan River.
c. 1406 BC
Spies report to Joshua
The two spies return to Joshua and report all that happened to them, including the fear the Canaanites felt.
c. 1406 BC
The Jordan River is at flood stage
The Jordan River is overflowing its banks, making crossing difficult and adding to the challenge of invading Canaan.
This passage describes the sons of Jacob returning to their father and recounting their experiences in Egypt, mirroring the spies' detailed report to Joshua about their mission.
Exodus 18:8Similar to how Moses' father-in-law Jethro heard 'all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people,' the spies bring Joshua news of how God has worked through their mission.
1 Chronicles 12:15This verse mentions men who 'passed over' the Jordan when it was overflowing its banks, echoing the likely method of crossing for the spies who returned to Joshua.
Hebrews 11:31This New Testament passage highlights Rahab's faith, showing how her actions in hiding the spies were directly linked to their successful mission and subsequent report to Joshua.
Joshua 2:24This verse immediately follows, showing the substance of the spies' report: 'Truly the Lord has delivered into our hands all the land,' directly reflecting the 'all things that befell them' in verse 23.
calvinJoshua 2:1-24: "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there."
Miserat [31] autem Josue filius Nun viros duos exploratores clam, [32] dicendo: Ite, considerate terram et Jericho. Profecti sunt igitur et ingressi sunt domum mulieris meretricis, cujus nomen erat Rahab, et dormierunt illic.
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there…
cambridgeJoshua 2:23: "So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:"
23 . and passed over ] Probably by swimming, for the water at this season was too high to allow them to ford; compare the coming to David of the eleven mighty men from the uplands of Gad, who swam the river when it had overflowed all its banks ( 1 Chronicles 12:15 ). all things that befell them ] Compare the words of the sons of J…
After their daring escape, the spies didn't just report what happened, but everything that "found them," highlighting the profound terror that had already seized Jericho. This emphasizes that Rahab's courageous act of faith had already tipped the scales, creating a spiritual dread that would precede Israel's physical victory.
Having narrowly escaped Jericho and hidden in the mountains for three days, the two spies make their way back across the Jordan River to Joshua. They report everything that happened, from their encounter with Rahab and her courageous deception of the king's men to the widespread terror that grips the land's inhabitants. This crucial intelligence confirms that God is indeed giving them victory and empowers Joshua to lead Israel forward.
Having narrowly escaped Jericho and hidden in the mountains for three days, the two spies make their way back across the Jordan River to Joshua. They report everything that happened, from their encounter with Rahab and her courageous deception of the king's men to the widespread terror that grips the land's inhabitants. This crucial intelligence confirms that God is indeed giving them victory and empowers Joshua to lead Israel forward.
"Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. An…" — After their daring escape, the spies didn't just report what happened, but everything that "found them," highlighting the profound terror that had already seized Jericho. This emphasizes that Rah…
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Last reviewed October 2026
