Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And before they were laid down,.... Under the stalks of the flax; or rather, since they are said to be hid in them, before they were fallen asleep, so Kimchi and Abarbinel:

she came up unto them upon the roof; to acquaint them how things were, and to converse with them on the following subjects.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Laid down — To sleep as they intended.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Ver. 8. And before they were laid down,] so., To take their rest, which in this fright they had little list to. "Sleep on now, take your rest," saith our Saviour by an irony to his drowsy disciples; q.d., Do so, if you can at least, now, with so many swords and halberds about your ears. [Mark 14:41]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Before they were laid down to rest or sleep, as they intended, being now, after the departure of their searchers, come from their hiding place to their resting-place.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘And before they were laid down (or ‘slept’), she came up to them on the roof.’

This may mean after they had been first hidden, but before they laid down finally to sleep (compare Genesis 19:4), or be referring back to a conversation which took place before they were finally hidden under the stalks, she having left them for some reason and then returned. The telescoped descriptions hid far more detailed happenings for at present they were in little danger and would not just lie under the stalks all the time. It possibly indicates that she had had time to think and had come up with an idea.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8.Before they were laid down — That is, to sleep. They had been hidden where it was uncomfortable to sleep; but now that their pursuers are put upon the wrong track, they come forth from their hiding places.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Asleep. It seems as if the spies had been ignorant of the danger to which they had been just exposed, and had gone to the roof of the house with a design to pass the night in greater security. Rahab perceives, however, that it would be extremely rash for them to continue with her any longer, and therefore she gives them the best advice, to secure their safety by fleeing in the dead of the night, and without further delay. (Haydock)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Before they were laid down - literally, they had not yet lain down (see the note at Genesis 2:5).

She came up unto them upon the roof; and ... said. Rahab's dialogue is full of interest, as showing the universal panic and consternation of the Canaanites on the one hand (Joshua 24:11; Deuteronomy 2:25), and her strong convictions on the other, founded on a knowledge of the divine promise, and the stupendous miracles that had opened the way of the Israelites to the confines of the promised land. She was convinced of the supremacy of Yahweh; and her earnest stipulations for the preservation of her relatives, amid the perils of the approaching invasion, attest the sincerity and strength of her faith.