John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And it came to pass, [about the time] of the shutting of the gate , etc.] Of the city, which was done every night, and at a certain time: when it was dark ; the sun set, and night come on: that the men went out ; out of her house, and out of the city too, as she said, though it was a downright lie, as well as what follows: whither the men went I wot not ; though she knew they were not gone, but were now in her house; she might not scruple telling a lie, being brought up a Heathen, and being done with a design to save the lives of persons that belonged to a people she was persuaded were the people of God, and to whom he had given the land; though her lies are not to be justified; evil is not to be done that good may come; nor are men to tell lies one to another upon any account; but these sins, with others, the Lord forgave her: pursue after them quickly, and ye shall overtake them ; this she encouraged them to do, to get rid of them the sooner, and to remove all suspicion of her having any respect for them, and of being concerned in concealing them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage ou diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directe the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one tha would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab appears to have bee an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad life, which i doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us mos accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve grea ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, agains whom her king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, Jas 2:25; and she did it by faith, suc a faith as set her above the fear of man. Those only are tru believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God; they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The spie were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained the out of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not for lucre or for an evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab' falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain i away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehoo like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whateve the motive, would deserve heavy censure.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 השׁער8179 לסגור5462 בחשׁך2822 והאנשׁים376 יצאו3318 לא3808 ידעתי3045 אנה575 הלכו1980 האנשׁים376 רדפו7291 מהר4118 אחריהם310 כי3588 תשׂיגום׃5381
