Chapter 39: Commission, Rahab, and the Jordan Crossing

Study notes

After Moses dies, Yahweh tells Joshua to cross the Jordan with the people, and two spies Joshua sends to look at Jericho are hidden on a roof by Rahab, a prostitute. When the priests step into the Jordan with the chest, the water stops, and the people cross over on dry ground.

From Joshua 1:1–2 (KoS), Joshua 2:1 (KoS), Joshua 2:4–6 (KoS), Joshua 3:13–17 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. What do the people promise Joshua, and what do they say must happen to anyone who rebels against his word?

   They answered Joshua, saying, All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. As we listened to Moses in everything, so we will listen to you. Only let Yahweh your God be with you as he was with Moses. Any man who rebels against your mouth and does not listen to your words, in everything you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and be firm.

   Joshua 1:16–18 (KoS)

2. What does the woman ask the men to swear by Yahweh, and what do the men promise her in return?

   Now swear to me, please, by Yahweh, that since I have shown you loyalty, you also will show loyalty to my father’s house, and you will give me a reliable sign, and that you will let my father live, and my mother, and my brothers, and my sister, and all who belong to them, and that you will pull our lives out of death. The men said to her, Our lives in place of yours, to the death, if you do not tell this word of ours. When Yahweh gives us the land, we will show you loyalty and truth.

   Joshua 2:12–14 (KoS)

   Note · Translation Chesed is loyalty. Ot emet is a reliable sign.

   Note · Text The written consonants are אחותי, “my sister,” singular. The Masoretic reading is אחיותי, “my sisters.” The written singular is printed.

3. What does Joshua tell Israel to say when their children ask about the twelve stones at Gilgal?

   Those twelve stones, which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. He said to the sons of Israel, saying, When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What are these stones? you shall let your children know, saying, Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground, because Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, as Yahweh your God did to the Sea of Reeds, which he dried up before us until we had crossed, so that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Yahweh, that it is strong, and so that you may fear Yahweh your God all the days.

   Joshua 4:20–24 (KoS)