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. (Judges 1:24)
Literally, “watchers.” Before taking advantage of the terror that gripped the captured man’s soul in anticipation of being put to death, the watchers made the traveler an offer of personal safety. Because of his betrayal of a secret entrance to the city, the Hebrews easily captured the place and put its inhabitants to the sword, saving alive only this man and his family.