And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
JOSHUA 2:24KJVWhat does Joshua 2:24 mean?
Joshua 2:24 reports that the spies sent by Joshua return and tell him that the LORD has truly given them the whole land, because the people living there are terrified of the Israelites. This verse shows the spies’ confidence that God is making a way for Israel to take possession of Canaan.
The speakers in Joshua 2:24 are the two Israelite spies who had just returned from Jericho. They are speaking to Joshua, their leader, after hearing from Rahab and seeing firsthand that the people of the land are fearful. Their report confirms that God’s promise to give Israel the land is becoming a reality, and the fear among the inhabitants is a sign of Israel’s coming victory.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 2:24
- LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that it is specifically their God who is acting on their behalf, not just a generic deity.
- delivered (נָתַן, natan): This word often means “to give” or “to hand over.” The spies are saying that God has already, in effect, handed the land over to Israel, even before any battle has taken place.
- faint (מוּג, mug): This word means to melt or lose courage. The verse points out that the inhabitants’ hearts are melting with fear, highlighting the psychological impact Israel’s approach is having on them.
Why Joshua 2:24 matters
- Joshua 2:24 clarifies that the Israelites’ confidence is not based on their own strength, but on what God has already done to prepare the way for them.
- The verse connects directly to Rahab’s earlier words about the fear of the LORD spreading among the people, showing that her testimony was accurate and trustworthy.
- This report sets the stage for the conquest of Canaan, showing that the people’s fear is a sign of God’s work and a fulfillment of His promises to Israel.