Joshua 2 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 2:14, MT 2:20
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Joshua 2
Faith welcomes the messengers: Rahab and salvation in Christ
Apostolic and patristic reception: Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 recall Rahab’s welcome; Justin relates the scarlet sign to Christ’s saving blood [JUS, §111].
2:1–7 | The spies sheltered and the pursuers diverted
Verse MT 2:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:1
Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, look at the land and Jericho.” They went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and lay down there.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:1
Joshua son of Nun sent two young men from Shittim to spy, saying, “Go up and look at the land and Jericho.” The two young men went into Jericho, entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and lodged there.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek specifies young men and their entry into Jericho; Hebrew explicitly says “secretly.” Zonah / pornē are rendered “prostitute”; the traditional innkeeper reading belongs in reception.
Rabbinic: Rashi, citing Jonathan’s Aramaic rendering, understands Rahab as an innkeeper who sells provisions. The Hebrew column retains the ordinary sense of zonah, prostitute [R2, 2:1].
Verse MT 2:2 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:2
The king of Jericho was told, “Look, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:2
The king of Jericho was informed, “Men from the sons of Israel have entered here to spy out the land.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Hebrew places “tonight” in this report; Greek places the night detail in the king’s order in verse 3.
Verse MT 2:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:3
The king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to search out the whole land.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:3
The king of Jericho sent and said to Rahab, “Bring out the men who entered your house at night, for they have come to spy out the land.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The same order is issued, with the night detail positioned here in Greek.
Verse MT 2:4 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:4
The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:4
The woman took the men and hid them, and said to the messengers, “The men came to me.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks her denial of knowing their origin. Hebrew’s singular “hid him” follows a plural object; the English follows its collective/distributive sense, discussed by Rashi on 2:4.
Rabbinic: Rashi explains the singular object as compatible with hiding the men, including a reading in which she concealed them separately [R2, 2:4].
Verse MT 2:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:5
When the gate was about to close at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:5
As the gate was closing in the darkness, the men went out. I do not know where they have gone. Pursue them to see whether you can overtake them.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew asserts that pursuit will succeed; Greek ei introduces uncertainty, “whether.”
Verse MT 2:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:6
But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them among the flax stalks that she had laid out on the roof.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:6
But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them among the flax stalks she had piled on the roof.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The hiding place and material correspond.
Verse MT 2:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:7
The men pursued them along the Jordan road to the fords. The gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out after them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:7
The men pursued them along the road to the Jordan, toward the crossings, and the gate was shut. After the pursuers had gone out after them,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek’s final time clause continues into verse 8; the sequence of pursuit and closing the gate corresponds.
2:8–14 | Rahab confesses and seeks a faithful oath
Verse MT 2:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:8
Before the spies lay down, she went up to them on the roof.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:8
and before the young men went to sleep, she went up to them on the roof
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The visit takes place before sleep. Greek continues the sentence begun at the end of verse 7.
Verse MT 2:9 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:9
She said to the men, “I know that YHWH has given you the land, that terror of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:9
and said, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, for fear of you has fallen upon us.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the additional statement about all the inhabitants melting away.
Verse MT 2:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:10
For we have heard how YHWH dried up the waters of the Sea of Reeds before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:10
For we have heard that the Lord God dried up the Red Sea before you when you came out of the land of Egypt, and everything He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you destroyed.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew credits “you” with the deeds against the kings; Greek first says “He did,” then “you destroyed.” Sea of Reeds / Red Sea preserves the names.
Verse MT 2:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:11
When we heard, our hearts melted, and no spirit remained in anyone because of you. For YHWH your God, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:11
When we heard, our hearts were astounded, and no spirit remained in any of us because of you. For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The fear imagery differs modestly; the confession of God’s rule above and below corresponds.
Verse MT 2:12 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:12
Now please swear to me by YHWH that, as I have shown you kindness, you too will show kindness to my father’s household. Give me a trustworthy sign
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:12
Now swear to me by the Lord God that, because I am showing you mercy, you too will show mercy to my father’s household
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the request for a trustworthy sign here. Hebrew hesed / Greek eleos underlie kindness / mercy.
Verse MT 2:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:13
that you will keep alive my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:13
and keep alive my father’s household, my mother, my brothers, my whole household, and all who belong to them, and rescue my life from death.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek has household language in place of the explicit father/sisters list and ends “my life,” against Hebrew “our lives.”
Verse MT 2:14 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:14
The men said to her, “Our lives for yours, even to death, if you do not disclose this business of ours! When YHWH gives us the land, we will show you kindness and faithfulness.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:14
The men said to her, “Our lives in place of yours, even to death.” And she said, “When the Lord hands the city over to you, you shall show me mercy and faithfulness.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: The second speech belongs to the men in Hebrew but to Rahab in Greek; land becomes city. The non-disclosure condition is absent here in Greek, though a condition follows in verse 20.
2:15–21 | The escape and the scarlet sign
Verse MT 2:15 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:15
She let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was in the city wall, and she lived in the wall.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:15
She lowered them through the window
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the rope and the explanation of the house’s location in the wall.
Verse MT 2:16 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:16
She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers do not encounter you. Hide there three days until the pursuers return; then go on your way.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:16
and said to them, “Go into the hill country, so the pursuers do not encounter you. Hide there three days until those pursuing you return; afterward go on your way.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The route, hiding period, and departure instruction correspond.
Verse MT 2:17 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:17
The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath of yours that you made us swear,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:17
The men said to her, “We are free from this oath of yours.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both introduce the conditions governing their sworn obligation; Greek is more compressed.
Verse MT 2:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:18
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down and gather your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household into your house.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:18
See, we are coming into part of the city. You shall put up the sign: tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you lowered us, and gather your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to yourself in your house.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew says entry into the land; Greek says a part of the city and explicitly calls the cord a sign. “Unless” makes the following conditions intelligible in English.
Saints: Justin reads the scarlet cord as a sign of Christ’s blood bringing forgiveness to repentant people from the nations [JUS, §111]. This is typology, not the lexical meaning of scarlet.
Verse MT 2:19 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:19
If anyone goes outside the doors of your house, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free of guilt. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you inside the house, his blood shall be on our heads.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:19
Anyone who goes outside the door of your house shall bear his own guilt; we shall be free of this oath of yours. For everyone with you in your house, we shall be answerable.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek expresses liability without the Hebrew blood-on-the-head idiom and does not repeat the assault condition.
Verse MT 2:20 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:20
If you disclose this business of ours, we shall be free from the oath you made us swear.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:20
But if anyone wrongs us or discloses these words of ours, we shall be free from this oath of yours.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Greek broadens the release condition from Rahab’s disclosure to anyone’s wrongdoing or disclosure, materially changing the oath’s stated scope.
Verse MT 2:21 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:21
She said, “Let it be as you have said.” She sent them away, and they departed; then she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:21
She said to them, “Let it be according to your word.” Then she sent them away.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Only Hebrew narrates her tying the cord at this point.
2:22–24 | The messengers return
Verse MT 2:22 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:22
They went to the hill country and stayed there three days, until the pursuers returned. The pursuers searched along the whole road but did not find them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:22
They went into the hill country and remained there three days. The pursuers searched all the roads but did not find them.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the express endpoint “until the pursuers returned” and has plural roads.
Verse MT 2:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:23
Then the two men returned, came down from the hill country, crossed over, and came to Joshua son of Nun. They told him everything that had happened to them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:23
The two young men returned, came down from the mountain, crossed over to Joshua son of Nun, and related everything that had happened to them.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The return and report correspond; Greek again specifies young men.
Verse MT 2:24 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:24
They said to Joshua, “YHWH has indeed given all the land into our hand. All the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:24
They said to Joshua, “The Lord has handed all the land into our hand, and everyone inhabiting that land is cowering before us.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The same report of gift and fear is expressed through different fear imagery.