And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
The spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, 'Please show us how to get into the city, and we will be kind to you.'
The writer is describing how Israelite spies made a deal with a local man, promising to spare him if he would help them capture his city.
📚 Historical Context
After Joshua's death, the Israelite tribes were tasked with continuing the conquest of Canaan to fulfill God's promise of the land, as described in the Book of Judges. In this specific account, the tribes of Judah and Simeon were attacking the city of Bethel, and their spies encountered a man leaving the city whom they asked to reveal the entrance in exchange for mercy. This event highlights the ongoing struggles and strategies the Israelites used to secure their inheritance amidst resistance from the Canaanites.
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