2:6a

But: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But expresses a contrast between what Rahab said and what she had done. Use whatever word is natural in your language to show this contrast.

Rahab had taken them up to the roof: The clause Rahab had taken them up to the roof indicates that Rahab had already led the men to the roof before she spoke to the soldiers.

up to the roof: The phrase up to the roof refers to the roof of Rahab’s house. Houses in this area had flat roofs. It was possible for the men to be on the roof without falling off.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

But she had already led them up to the ⌊flat⌋ roof ⌊of her house⌋
-or-
Rahab said this, but really she had taken the men up to the roof (English Easy-to-Read Version)

2:6b

and hidden them among the stalks of flax: The clause hidden them among the stalks of flax indicates that Rahab hid the men underneath the stalks of flax.

flax: The word flax refers to a plant that grows in tall stalks. People use the fibers from the stalks to make thread. They weave this thread into linen cloth.

The type of stalks that Rahab used is not the important thing in this verse. In areas where flax is not known, a general word like “stalk” or “plant” may be used in the translation.

that she had laid out there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as laid out there can also be translated “arrange” or “lay out.” Rahab laid out the flax stalks on the roof to dry.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

she had hidden them underneath the stalks of flax which she had laid out on the roof
-or-
she had hidden them under the plants that were drying on the roof

General Comment on 2:4-6

Verse 2:6 gives a fuller version of the events of 2:4a. In some languages it may be clearer to put these events in chronological order.

Here is a way to translate these verses in chronological order:

4a 6a
⌊Before the soldiers arrived,⌋ Rahab took ⌊the two Israelites⌋ up to the roof ⌊of her house⌋ 6b and hid them under the stalks of flax which she had laid out there. 4b She said ⌊to the soldiers⌋ , 4c “It is true, these men came to me, but I did not know where they came from. 5a At sunset, when the town gate was about to be closed, they left. 5b I do not know where they were going. 5c If you chase them quickly, you may overtake them.”

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