In the phrase sent two spies, the word spies may convey to some readers a highly specialized and technical meaning. To avoid this complication, one may render “secretly sent two men.” This may be an excellent solution if it is certain that the readers will understand secretly to apply only to the people of Canaan and not to the people of Israel as well. In order not to be misunderstood, one may translate “Then Joshua sent two men from the camp at Acacia to go and secretly explore the land of Canaan.” Or, if direct discourse is more appropriate, “While the people of Israel were camped at Acacia, Joshua told two of the men, ‘Go and secretly explore the land of Canaan….’ ”

The Israelite camp was at Acacia northeast of the Dead Sea, opposite Jericho (see Num 25.1; 33.49). The Hebrew name “Shittim” (Revised Standard Version) means “the acacias,” a flowering tree. For English speakers the noun “Shittim” sounds like a vulgar word and should be avoided. This is also a principle that should be followed in any language; in the translation or transliteration of terms, any vulgar-sounding words or word combinations should be avoided.

Explore the land of Canaan may be rendered, “to find out all they (you) can about the land of Canaan” or “to find out what the land of Canaan is like.”

Jericho, the most important city in the region, was west of the Jordan. The Hebrew text “to go and look at the land and Jericho” is rather strange; Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation both translate “especially Jericho”; Jerusalem Bible “the country at Jericho”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible de Jérusalem “the land of Jericho.” New English Bible (without any textual note) translates “… with orders to reconnoiter the country. The two men came to Jericho” (which represents neither the Hebrew nor the Greek Old Testament).

A prostitute: commentators make the point that the two Israelites would have a good chance of going unnoticed in a house of prostitution. Her home was built into the city wall (see verse 15). Josephus (Antiquities V.i.2) speaks of Rahab as an innkeeper, not a harlot. (She may have been both.) If the translation is intended for young readers, no harm will be done to the text if a prostitute is represented by “a woman.” The last sentence of this verse may be rendered in a chronological sequence: “When they came to the city, they went to the house … in order to spend the night.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .