Bible Strands
Joshua 2:23
Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The two spies, having evaded pursuit in the hill country, return to Joshua son of Nun to deliver their field report. This occurs immediately after their three-day concealment and the withdrawal of their pursuers.
The words — וַ/יָּשֻׁ֜בוּ (va/i.ya.Shu.vu) means "and they returned," paired with וַ/יֵּרְד֣וּ (va/i.ye.re.Du) "and they went down" from the hill country (H2022). These verbs are followed by וַ/יַּעַבְרוּ (va/i.ya.'av.Ru) "and they passed over" and וַ/יָּבֹ֔אוּ (va/i.ya.Vo.'u) "and they came" to Joshua (H935, H413).
The thread — The sequence of departure, concealment, and return with a report runs directly from Joshua 2:22 into Joshua 2:24. The same narrative structure appears in Numbers 13:25 and Deuteronomy 1:22.
Why it lands — The text records a factual movement of men completing a mission before delivering intelligence. It requires the reader to recognize that strategic preparation precedes the announced conquest in Joshua 2:24.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: