Joshua 2:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, when we come {H935} into the land {H776}, thou shalt bind {H7194} this line {H8615} of scarlet {H8144} thread {H2339} in the window {H2474} which thou didst let us down by {H3381}: and thou shalt bring {H622} thy father {H1}, and thy mother {H517}, and thy brethren {H251}, and all thy father's {H1} household {H1004}, home {H1004} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

when we enter the land, you tie this piece of scarlet cord in the window you let us down from; and you gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and your father's entire 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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:18 details the specific instructions given by the Israelite spies to Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, concerning her salvation and that of her household during the impending destruction of the city. As a fulfillment of the covenant made in exchange for her protection of them, Rahab was to bind a scarlet thread in her window and gather her entire family within her home. This act of obedience and visible sign would mark her dwelling for divine preservation, underscoring God's faithfulness to those who respond in faith and His expansive grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 2:18 is situated within the pivotal narrative of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically focusing on the events leading up to the fall of Jericho. The preceding verses (Joshua 2:1-17) describe Joshua's dispatch of two spies to Jericho, their encounter with Rahab, her courageous act of hiding them from the king's men, and the solemn oath she extracts from them for her and her family's safety. Verse 18, along with verses 19-20, provides the precise conditions for this promised deliverance, emphasizing the visible sign of the scarlet thread and the necessity of her family remaining within her house. This immediate context sets up the dramatic fulfillment in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"), where Rahab and her household are indeed spared amidst the city's collapse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land, a period marked by divine judgment against the idolatrous Canaanite nations. Jericho was a heavily fortified city, strategically important and representative of the formidable challenges Israel faced. Culturally, the concept of a "harlot" (Hebrew: *zonah*) in ancient Near Eastern societies could sometimes refer to an innkeeper, but her profession generally placed her at the margins of respectable society. Her act of sheltering foreign spies was an extraordinary betrayal of her own people, motivated by a profound fear and respect for the God of Israel, whose mighty deeds she had heard of (Joshua 2:9-11). The practice of making solemn oaths, often accompanied by a visible sign, was common in the ancient world as a means of securing trust and ensuring compliance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **covenant and divine promise**, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word, even when delivered through human agents. Rahab's actions exemplify **salvation by faith**, as her belief in the God of Israel, despite her background, leads to her and her family's deliverance, a theme echoed in [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith"). The "scarlet thread" introduces the theme of a **visible sign of redemption**, reminiscent of the blood on the doorposts during the [Passover in Egypt](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Passover Account"). Furthermore, the instruction to gather her entire "father's household" underscores the theme of **corporate salvation** and the extension of God's grace to families, showing how one individual's faith can bring blessing to many. It also subtly introduces the theme of **inclusion of outsiders**, as a Canaanite woman becomes part of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scarlet (שָׁנִי, _shani'_):** This Hebrew word refers to a vibrant, deep red dye, often produced from the kermes insect. In the Old Testament, "scarlet" is frequently associated with the Tabernacle's curtains, priestly garments, and rituals of purification (e.g., [Exodus 25:4](/exodus/25-4 "Exodus 25:4 - Tabernacle Materials") or [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Cleansing from Leprosy")). Its rich color often symbolizes life, blood, and sometimes atonement or purification, making its appearance here deeply significant as a sign of life and protection amidst impending death.
* **Line / Thread (תִּקְוָה, _tiqvah'_):** While primarily meaning "cord" or "rope" in this context, the Hebrew word *tiqvah* carries a powerful secondary meaning of "hope" or "expectation" in other biblical passages (e.g., [Job 11:18](/job/11-18 "Job 11:18 - Hope in God")). This linguistic nuance adds a profound layer to the scarlet thread, suggesting it was not merely a physical marker but also a tangible symbol of Rahab's hope for deliverance, a hope rooted in the promise of God's agents.
* **Household (בֵּית אָב, _beit av'_):** This phrase literally translates to "father's house" and refers to the extended family unit in ancient Israelite society, encompassing parents, siblings, children, and often servants or dependents. The inclusion of Rahab's entire *beit av* highlights the communal aspect of salvation in the Old Testament and the far-reaching impact of one individual's faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, [when] we come into the land":** This clause establishes the condition and the timing for the fulfillment of the spies' promise. It signifies the imminent invasion and conquest, setting the stage for the dramatic events to unfold. The "we" refers to the entire Israelite army, acting under God's command.
* **"thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by":** This is the core instruction for Rahab's part in the covenant. The "scarlet thread" serves as a distinct, visible sign, a marker for divine protection. Its placement in the specific window from which the spies escaped reinforces the connection between Rahab's act of faith (saving the spies) and her subsequent salvation. This public display requires her active obedience and trust.
* **"and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee":** This command outlines the scope of the promised salvation and Rahab's responsibility in securing it. She is not only saved herself but becomes the instrument through which her entire extended family can find refuge. The emphasis on gathering them "home unto thee" underscores the necessity of remaining within the designated place of safety, under Rahab's roof.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 2:18 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "line of scarlet thread" serving as a potent symbol of salvation and protection. Its color, scarlet, is rich with potential associations, often linked to blood, life, and redemption throughout biblical narratives. The thread also functions as a **type** or **foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate means of salvation. The narrative structure itself presents a **conditional promise**, where Rahab's deliverance is contingent upon her obedience to specific instructions, creating narrative tension and emphasizing the importance of human response to divine initiatives. The spies' oath and Rahab's subsequent actions also demonstrate **covenant language** and the binding nature of agreements in the ancient world, reflecting God's own covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:18 stands as a remarkable testament to God's inclusive grace and His sovereign plan of salvation, extending even to those outside the covenant community of Israel. Rahab, a Canaanite and a harlot, is chosen as an instrument of God's plan and a recipient of His mercy, not based on her moral standing or ethnicity, but on her demonstrated faith in the God of Israel. Her active obedience in displaying the scarlet thread and gathering her family within her home serves as a powerful illustration that salvation requires both belief and a corresponding visible response. The scarlet thread itself becomes a profound theological symbol, marking a household for deliverance from judgment, much like the blood on the doorposts in Egypt, and pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice that would secure salvation for all.

* [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith")
* [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Passover Blood")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Rahab and the scarlet thread in Joshua 2:18 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It powerfully reminds us that God's grace transcends all human boundaries and categories, reaching out to those whom society might deem unworthy or marginalized. Rahab's faith, though nascent, was genuine and active, leading her to obey the specific instructions given for her salvation. This challenges us to consider whether our faith is merely intellectual assent or if it translates into tangible acts of obedience and trust in God's promises. Furthermore, Rahab's concern for her family underscores the biblical emphasis on corporate salvation and the privilege we have to share the good news with our loved ones, actively seeking their inclusion in God's kingdom. Just as the scarlet thread was a visible sign of protection, our lives, marked by Christ, should visibly declare our allegiance to Him and serve as beacons of hope to a world in need of deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does Rahab's story challenge our preconceived notions of who God saves or uses in His plan?**
* **What "scarlet threads"—visible signs of our faith and obedience—are we called to display in our lives today?**
* **How does Rahab's active effort to gather her family inspire us to pursue the salvation of our own households?**
* **What promises of God are we currently clinging to, and how is our obedience demonstrating that trust?**

### FAQ
**Why was a scarlet thread chosen specifically, and what is its significance?**

Answer: The choice of a "scarlet thread" is highly significant. The color scarlet (Hebrew: *shani*) is often associated with blood in the Old Testament, particularly in contexts of sacrifice, atonement, and purification rituals (e.g., the cleansing of a leper in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Leprosy")). In Rahab's case, it served as a visible, unmistakable sign that marked her house for protection from the impending destruction, much like the blood on the doorposts in [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Passover Blood") marked the Israelite homes for deliverance during the Passover. The thread itself, called *tiqvah* in Hebrew, also carries the nuance of "hope," making it a tangible symbol of Rahab's hope for salvation based on the spies' promise. Theologically, it foreshadows the ultimate redemptive power of blood, pointing forward to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

**Was Rahab's faith truly genuine, given her profession as a harlot?**

Answer: The biblical text unequivocally presents Rahab's faith as genuine and exemplary. While her profession as a harlot is explicitly stated, the narrative focuses on her actions of faith and obedience. She risked her life to protect the Israelite spies, declaring her belief in the God of Israel as the true God, "God in heaven above and on earth beneath" ([Joshua 2:11](/joshua/2-11 "Joshua 2:11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith")). Her faith is later affirmed in the New Testament, notably in [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith"), where she is listed among the heroes of faith, and in [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith and Works"), which highlights her faith demonstrated by her works. Her story is a powerful testament to God's grace, which extends to all who believe, regardless of their past or social standing.

**What happened to Rahab and her family after the fall of Jericho?**

Answer: As promised in Joshua 2:18, Rahab and her entire household were spared during the destruction of Jericho. [Joshua 6:25](/joshua/6-25 "Joshua 6:25 - Rahab is Spared") explicitly states that "Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." They were brought out of the city and settled among the Israelites. Remarkably, Rahab was not merely saved but was fully integrated into the community of Israel. She later married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah, and became the mother of Boaz, who was the father of Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of King David. This lineage is recorded in [Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy"), making Rahab one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, a profound testament to God's redemptive plan and His ability to transform lives and include outsiders in His divine lineage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:18, with its vivid imagery of the scarlet thread, serves as a powerful Old Testament type pointing directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the scarlet thread marked Rahab's house for salvation from physical destruction, the shed blood of Jesus Christ marks believers for salvation from eternal judgment. The color scarlet, often associated with blood in the Old Testament sacrificial system, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the precious, atoning blood of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), which cleanses from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Rahab, a Gentile and an outcast, was saved by faith and active obedience to a visible sign, foreshadowing the New Covenant reality where salvation is offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike, through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). Her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")) dramatically illustrates that God's redemptive plan was always expansive, culminating in Christ, who breaks down all dividing walls and brings those who were once far off near by His blood ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Gentiles Brought Near by Christ's Blood")). The scarlet thread, therefore, is a beautiful prefigurement of the cross, where Christ's blood secures hope and deliverance for all who, like Rahab, place their trust in God's promised salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.