Joshua 2

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to…” Naming Israel and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into…” Naming Bring and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include roof, flax, house. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were…” Naming Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;” The line’s distinctive content terms include laid, roof. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include land, faint, fallen. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD , since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include alive, brethren, death. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include wall, cord, dwelt. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the…” Naming According keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of…” Naming Joshua and Truly keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.