God’s chosen people rescue Rahab from Jericho, fulfilling their oath and foreshadowing the salvation theme that is later fully realized in Jesus.
Joshua, having led the Israelites into the Promised Land around 1400 BC after the death of Moses, directs his attention to fulfilling the agreement made with Rahab. He addresses the two spies, saying, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.” (v.22) This instruction stems from the promise they previously made to Rahab—a woman labeled a harlot in the passage—when she protected them in Jericho. This city was strategically located just west of the Jordan River, near an oasis in the region of modern-day Palestinian territories. Jericho’s walls represented both a physical defense and a spiritual barrier, which the Lord had caused to fall earlier in the chapter.
In this command, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her” (v.22), Joshua underscores the importance of honoring the word that the spies gave. Rahab’s act of hiding the Israelite spies ultimately led to a covenant of protection over her household (Joshua 2). Joshua’s obedience in ensuring the spies kept their oath highlights how central integrity and faithfulness are in Israel’s unfolding story. Rahab’s decision to trust in God’s deliverance has far-reaching consequences, as she figures prominently in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5), connecting this Old Testament episode to the broader redemptive mission fulfilled in Jesus.
Furthermore, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her” (v.22) echoes a deeper theme of rescue and restoration. Rahab’s faith, displayed in the midst of Jericho’s destruction, foreshadows how the Lord rescues those who trust in Him, regardless of background or past decisions. The moment also solidifies Joshua’s position as a leader devoted to carrying out divine commands with diligence. In the broader timeline of Israel’s history—spanning from Moses (around 1500-1400 BC) to the era of the judges—Joshua’s actions pave the way for the nation’s settlement in Canaan and remind us that the God of Israel keeps promises to those who believe.
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Joshua 6:22 meaning
Joshua, having led the Israelites into the Promised Land around 1400 BC after the death of Moses, directs his attention to fulfilling the agreement made with Rahab. He addresses the two spies, saying, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.” (v.22) This instruction stems from the promise they previously made to Rahab—a woman labeled a harlot in the passage—when she protected them in Jericho. This city was strategically located just west of the Jordan River, near an oasis in the region of modern-day Palestinian territories. Jericho’s walls represented both a physical defense and a spiritual barrier, which the Lord had caused to fall earlier in the chapter.
In this command, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her” (v.22), Joshua underscores the importance of honoring the word that the spies gave. Rahab’s act of hiding the Israelite spies ultimately led to a covenant of protection over her household (Joshua 2). Joshua’s obedience in ensuring the spies kept their oath highlights how central integrity and faithfulness are in Israel’s unfolding story. Rahab’s decision to trust in God’s deliverance has far-reaching consequences, as she figures prominently in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5), connecting this Old Testament episode to the broader redemptive mission fulfilled in Jesus.
Furthermore, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her” (v.22) echoes a deeper theme of rescue and restoration. Rahab’s faith, displayed in the midst of Jericho’s destruction, foreshadows how the Lord rescues those who trust in Him, regardless of background or past decisions. The moment also solidifies Joshua’s position as a leader devoted to carrying out divine commands with diligence. In the broader timeline of Israel’s history—spanning from Moses (around 1500-1400 BC) to the era of the judges—Joshua’s actions pave the way for the nation’s settlement in Canaan and remind us that the God of Israel keeps promises to those who believe.