Joshua 2:18
New International Version
unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

New Living Translation
When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house.

English Standard Version
Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.

Berean Standard Bible
unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.

King James Bible
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

New King James Version
unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home.

New American Standard Bible
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather into your house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.

NASB 1995
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household.

NASB 1977
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household.

Legacy Standard Bible
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household.

Amplified Bible
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and bring into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household [so that they will be safe].

Christian Standard Bible
unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house.

American Standard Version
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household.

English Revised Version
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When we invade your land, tie this red cord in the window through which you let us down. Also, gather your father, mother, brothers, and all your father's family into your house.

Good News Translation
This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's family together in your house.

International Standard Version
when we invade the land, if you don't tie this rope made with red cords in the window through which you let us down, and if you don't gather your father, your mother, your brothers, and all of the rest of your father's household into your house.

Majority Standard Bible
unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.

NET Bible
When we invade the land, tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down, and gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and all who live in your father's house.

New Heart English Bible
Look, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by. You shall gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window by which thou didst let us down: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household home to thee.

World English Bible
Behold, when we come into the land, tie this line of scarlet thread in the window which you used to let us down. Gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
behold, we are coming into the land, bind this line of scarlet thread to the window by which you have caused us to go down, and gather your father, and your mother, and your brothers, and all the house of your father to you, to the house;

Young's Literal Translation
lo, we are coming into the land, this line of scarlet thread thou dost bind to the window by which thou hast caused us to go down, and thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all the house of thy father thou dost gather unto thee, to the house;

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, we come into the land, thou shalt bind the line of this scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by it: and thy father and thy mother and thy brethren, and all thy father's house thou shalt gather to thee to the house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If when we come into the land, this scarlet cord be a sign, and thou tie it in the window, by which thou hast let us down: and gather together thy father and mother, and brethren and all thy kindred into thy house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
if, when we enter into the land, this scarlet cord has been placed as a sign, and you have tied it at the window by which you let us down. And so, gather your father, and mother, and brothers, and all your family into your house.

New American Bible
when we come into the land, you tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you are letting us down. Gather your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family into your house.

New Revised Standard Version
if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down, and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, when we come into the land, you must bind this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down; and you shall bring your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father's household home to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, we are entering the land, but tie a cord of scarlet in the window by which you let us down, and your father and your mother and your brothers and all the household of your father bring in with you inside the house
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by; and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, we shall enter into a part of the city, and thou shalt set a sign; thou shalt bind this scarlet cord in the window, by which thou hast let us down, and thou shalt bring in to thyself, into thy house, thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all the family of thy father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Promise to Rahab
17The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear 18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house. 19If anyone goes out the door of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be innocent. But if a hand is laid on anyone with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:7
They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

Exodus 12:13
The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:22-23
Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. / When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Hebrews 11:31
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

James 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Acts 16:31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Isaiah 26:20-21
Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. / For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.

Ezekiel 9:4-6
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” / And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Genesis 19:12-13
Then the two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—a son-in-law, your sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, / because we are about to destroy this place. For the outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it.”

Genesis 19:17
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your brothers, and all your father's household, home to you.

scarlet thread

Joshua 2:21
And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

Leviticus 14:4
Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Numbers 4:8
And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.

bring [heb] gather

Joshua 2:13
And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Joshua 6:23
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

Genesis 7:1
And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

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Joshua 2
1. Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim
8. The covenant between her and them
23. Their return and description of events














unless when we enter the land
This phrase sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites to give them the land of Canaan. The word "enter" signifies a transition from wandering to possessing, a key theme in the book of Joshua. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it marks the beginning of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, a fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham. Theologically, it represents a step of faith and obedience, as the Israelites must trust in God's promise and power to deliver the land into their hands.

you have tied this scarlet cord
The "scarlet cord" is rich in symbolism and significance. In Hebrew, the word for "cord" can also mean "hope" or "expectation," which is fitting as Rahab's hope for salvation is tied to this cord. The color scarlet is often associated with sacrifice and redemption, foreshadowing the blood of Christ that would ultimately bring salvation to all who believe. Archaeologically, the use of colored cords or threads was common in ancient times for identification or signaling, underscoring the practical aspect of this sign.

in the window
The "window" serves as a literal and figurative point of connection between Rahab and the Israelites. It is through this window that Rahab lowers the spies to safety, and it is through this same window that her household will be identified and spared. In a broader scriptural context, windows often symbolize revelation or insight, suggesting that Rahab's faith and understanding of God's power opened a "window" of salvation for her and her family.

through which you let us down
This phrase highlights Rahab's active role in the deliverance of the spies. Her actions demonstrate her faith and allegiance to the God of Israel, despite her background as a Canaanite. The act of letting the spies down through the window is a tangible expression of her faith, aligning her with the people of God. Historically, this act of faith is significant as it leads to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew.

and bring your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's family
This instruction emphasizes the communal aspect of salvation. Rahab's faith not only secures her own safety but extends to her entire family. In the Hebrew culture, family units were central, and the salvation of a household was a powerful testament to God's grace and mercy. This mirrors the New Testament theme of household salvation, as seen in the accounts of Cornelius and the Philippian jailer in the book of Acts. It underscores the idea that faith can have a ripple effect, impacting those closest to us.

(18) The window which thou didst let us down by.--It seems almost needless to observe that the scarlet line and the cord by which the men were lowered are not the same thing, but described by different words in the original. It would have been preposterous to require Rahab to display in her window the means by which the spies had escaped. It would at once have declared the tale to all beholders--the very thing Rahab was pledged not to do. The "line of scarlet thread" and the "stalks of flax" on the roof were probably parts of the same business, and thus there would be nothing unusual in what was exhibited at the window, although it would be a sufficient token to those who were in the secret, to enable them to identify the house.

Verse 18. - This line of scarlet thread. Rather, this rope, from קוָה to twist. It is described as made of sewing thread (הוּט), because no doubt it was formed of several such threads twisted into a rope. The scarlet (ָשנִי), or rather crimson, was produced from the dried bodies as well as the eggs of the cochineal insect, called in Arabic, kermes (whence our word crimson, and the German karmesin). This line of scarlet thread is regarded by the Fathers generally, and by our own divines, as Bishop Hall and Bishop Wordsworth, as symbolical of the blood of Christ (see Clement of Rome, 'Epistle to Corinthians,' 12; Justin Martyr, 'Dial. Tryph.' 111; Iren., 'Adv. Haer.,' 4:37; Orig., 'Hom. 2 on Joshua.' "Coccineum, quod sanguinis formam gerebat." See also Bp. Hall, 'Contemplations,' Book 8; and Leviticus 14:4, 6, 42, 51),

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
unless,
הִנֵּ֛ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

when we
אֲנַ֥חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

enter
בָאִ֖ים (ḇā·’îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the land,
בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

you have tied
תִּקְשְׁרִ֗י (tiq·šə·rî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

this
הַזֶּ֜ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

scarlet
הַשָּׁנִ֨י (haš·šā·nî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8144: Crimson, the insect, its color, stuff dyed with it

cord
תִּקְוַ֡ת (tiq·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8615: A cord, expectancy

in the window
בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙ (ba·ḥal·lō·wn)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2474: A window

through which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you let us down,
הוֹרַדְתֵּ֣נוּ (hō·w·raḏ·tê·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person feminine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

and unless
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

you have brought
תַּאַסְפִ֥י (ta·’as·p̄î)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

your father
אָבִ֨יךְ (’ā·ḇîḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

mother
אִמֵּ֜ךְ (’im·mêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

brothers
אַחַ֗יִךְ (’a·ḥa·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your family
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

into your house.
הַבָּֽיְתָה׃ (hab·bā·yə·ṯāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT History: Joshua 2:18 Behold when we come into the land (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 2:17
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