King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"According to your words, so be it," she said, and sent them away. As they departed, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Let it be as you say,” she replied, and she sent them away. And when they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And she said{H559}, According unto your words{H1697}, so be it. And she sent them away{H7971}, and they departed{H3212}: and she bound{H7194} the scarlet{H8144} line{H8615} in the window{H2474}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 7:24
- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
John 2:5
- His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].
Joshua 2:18
- 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Joshua 2:21
Joshua 2:21 is a verse set within the context of the Israelites' preparation to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Joshua recounts the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses, and the military campaigns to conquer Canaan. In this narrative, Joshua sends two spies to Jericho, the first city to be conquered.
In Jericho, the spies are sheltered by Rahab, a prostitute, who hides them from the city's authorities. When the king of Jericho learns of the spies' presence and demands Rahab to hand them over, she instead deceives him, sending his men on a wild goose chase while she helps the spies escape. In return for her assistance, Rahab asks the spies to spare her and her family when the Israelites attack. They agree, instructing her to hang a scarlet cord from her window as a sign to the Israelite soldiers.
The verse in question, Joshua 2:21, captures Rahab's compliance with the spies' instructions. She affirms her commitment to their agreement with the phrase "According unto your words, so [be] it," and then she acts by sending the spies away safely and tying the scarlet cord in her window. This scarlet cord serves as a symbol of protection and a covenant of salvation for Rahab and her family amidst the impending destruction.
The themes present in this verse include loyalty, faith, and the power of signs and oaths. Rahab's actions demonstrate her loyalty to the spies and her faith in the God of Israel, despite her being a citizen of Jericho and a part of the community destined for destruction. The scarlet cord is a prefiguration of the Passover lamb's blood, which in the book of Exodus was placed on doorposts as a sign for the angel of death to pass over the Israelite households. This verse also highlights the theme of divine providence, as God uses Rahab, an unexpected agent, to further His plan for the Israelites. Rahab's story is remarkable as it shows God's mercy and inclusion of a foreigner into the lineage of Jesus Christ, as mentioned later in the New Testament (Matthew 1:5).
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H7194
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָשַׁר
Transliteration: qâshar
Pronunciation: kaw-shar'
Description: a primitive root; to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league); bind (up), (make a) conspire(-acy, -ator), join together, knit, stronger, work (treason). - Strong's Number: H8144
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנִי
Transliteration: shânîy
Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread). - Strong's Number: H8615
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תִּקְוָה
Transliteration: tiqvâh
Pronunciation: tik-vaw'
Description: from קָוָה; (compare קָוֶה); literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy; expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for. - Strong's Number: H2474
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַלּוֹן
Transliteration: challôwn
Pronunciation: khal-lone'
Description: a window (as perforated); window.