Joshua 2:21

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:21 encapsulates Rahab's decisive act of faith and obedience, marking the culmination of her covenant with the Israelite spies. This pivotal verse details her immediate affirmation of their terms and the practical step of displaying the scarlet cord, a visible sign that would secure her and her household's salvation amidst the impending destruction of Jericho, thereby setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention and her integration into His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the spies' departure from Rahab's house, after they have laid out the conditions for her and her family's salvation: the display of a scarlet cord in her window and the gathering of her entire household within her home during the invasion. Rahab's response, "According unto your words, so be it," signifies her full and immediate acceptance of these terms. It concludes the intense dialogue and negotiation that began when the spies first arrived in Jericho, highlighting her pivotal role in the narrative of the conquest, particularly as a Gentile woman who chose to align herself with the God of Israel. Her action here is the final step in establishing the covenant of protection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was one of the oldest known cities in the world, heavily fortified and strategically located at a key entrance to Canaan. Its inhabitants, like other Canaanites, were steeped in polytheistic practices, often involving child sacrifice and other detestable acts, which contributed to God's judgment upon them. Rahab, a harlot, occupied a marginalized social position, yet her house, likely on the city wall, provided a strategic vantage point and a convenient, unnoticed entry/exit for the spies. Her understanding of the "dread" that had fallen upon the Canaanites due to Israel's God ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Faith")) indicates a widespread fear of the Israelites and their powerful deity, a fear that Rahab alone acted upon in faith.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:21 powerfully underscores the themes of **faith and obedience**, as Rahab's immediate action demonstrates a profound trust in the God of Israel and the word of His messengers. This active faith, rather than passive belief, is later commended in the New Testament as exemplary ([Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith Commended"); [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith Perfected by Works")). The verse also highlights **covenant and divine protection**, with the scarlet cord serving as a tangible sign of the agreement made between Rahab and the spies, a mark of identification for salvation amidst impending judgment. This foreshadows God's faithfulness to His promises and His willingness to extend grace beyond the boundaries of Israel, setting the stage for Rahab's eventual inclusion in the lineage of Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scarlet line (Hebrew, _khuṭ haššānî'_):** The phrase `חוּט הַשָּׁנִי` (khuṭ haššānî) literally translates to "thread of scarlet" or "cord of scarlet." `חוּט` (khuṭ) refers to a thread, cord, or line, often implying something slender yet strong enough to serve as a marker or bond. `שָׁנִי` (šānî) specifically denotes the vibrant red or crimson color derived from a particular insect, historically used for dyeing fine fabrics. This color is deeply symbolic throughout the Old Testament, frequently associated with blood, sacrifice, atonement, and purification (e.g., the tabernacle curtains, priestly garments, cleansing rituals for leprosy in [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Scarlet Thread in Cleansing Rituals")). In this context, the "scarlet line" functions as a visible, unmistakable sign of the covenant and the promise of salvation.
* **Bound (Hebrew, _qāšar'_):** The verb `קָשַׁר` (qāšar) means "to bind," "to tie," "to fasten," or "to knot." Rahab's act of "binding" the scarlet line in the window indicates a deliberate, public, and permanent display of the sign. It was not merely placed but secured, demonstrating her commitment and ensuring its visibility. This action signifies her active participation in the covenant, a physical manifestation of her verbal agreement and inner faith. It's an act of obedience that makes the covenant tangible and effective for her household's protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said, According unto your words, so [be] it."**: This opening clause captures Rahab's immediate and unequivocal acceptance of the spies' conditions. It is a declaration of agreement, signifying her full trust and commitment to the covenant of protection offered. Her words reflect a profound submission to the terms, indicating that she fully understood the gravity of the situation and the necessity of her compliance. This verbal assent is the foundation for her subsequent actions.
* **"And she sent them away, and they departed:"**: This phrase describes the spies' immediate departure after the covenant is sealed. It marks the conclusion of the direct interaction between Rahab and the spies, signifying that the terms had been agreed upon and the next phase of the mission (the spies' return to Joshua) could commence. Rahab's action of "sending them away" also implies her continued protection of them, ensuring their safe passage out of the city and away from detection by Jericho's authorities.
* **"and she bound the scarlet line in the window."**: This is the crucial action that fulfills Rahab's part of the covenant and activates the promise of salvation. The act of "binding" emphasizes the deliberate and secure placement of the sign. The "scarlet line" itself is the visible token, strategically placed "in the window" of her house, which was likely built into the city wall. This public display served as the identifying mark for the Israelite army, ensuring that her household would be spared during the impending destruction of Jericho. It is the tangible evidence of her faith and obedience.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in Joshua 2:21 is rich with **Symbolism**. The most prominent symbol is the **scarlet line** itself. As noted in the key word analysis, the color scarlet is deeply symbolic in biblical literature, often representing blood, sacrifice, and redemption. Here, it functions as a visual token of salvation and a sign of the covenant, marking Rahab's house for deliverance from judgment, much like the blood on the doorposts during the Passover in [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood of the Passover Lamb"). This act of placing the scarlet line also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate salvation offered through the shed blood of Christ. The immediate and decisive action of Rahab, a Gentile harlot, in contrast to the hardened hearts of the rest of Jericho, also presents a subtle **Irony**, highlighting that salvation is available to those who respond in faith, regardless of their past or social standing, rather than to those who rely on their own strength or position.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:21 is a profound testament to God's expansive grace and the transformative power of faith that leads to action. Rahab, a Gentile and a harlot, is not only spared but integrated into the lineage of Israel, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan transcends ethnic, social, and moral boundaries. Her immediate obedience to the specific, seemingly simple, instruction of displaying a scarlet cord underscores that true faith is active and demonstrable, not merely intellectual assent. This act of faith, tied to a visible sign, serves as a powerful prefigurement of salvation by grace through faith, marked by a sign of divine promise.

* [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith and Deliverance")
* [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith and Works")
* [Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rahab's story in Joshua 2:21 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Her immediate and unwavering response to the spies' instructions, despite the immense danger and uncertainty, exemplifies a faith that trusts implicitly in divine promises. She didn't hesitate or question; she acted. This challenges us to consider the quality of our own faith: Is it merely intellectual assent, or does it translate into tangible obedience and trust in God's word, even when circumstances seem daunting? Just as the scarlet cord was Rahab's visible act of faith and the sign of her salvation, we too are called to live out our faith through concrete actions that align with God's will. Her inclusion, despite her past, reminds us that God's grace is boundless and extends to all who turn to Him in genuine faith, regardless of their background or previous sins. We are invited to trust in God's promises for our salvation and protection, knowing that His faithfulness is unwavering, and to act upon that trust with immediate and wholehearted obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "scarlet cords" or visible acts of faith is God calling you to display in your life today?**
* **How does Rahab's immediate obedience challenge your own tendency to hesitate or question God's instructions?**
* **In what ways does Rahab's story encourage you about God's grace and His willingness to save those from unexpected backgrounds?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "scarlet line" in Rahab's window?**

Answer: The "scarlet line" (or cord) was the specific, visible sign of the covenant made between Rahab and the Israelite spies. Its significance is multi-layered. Primarily, it served as the identifying mark for the Israelite army to spare Rahab's house during the destruction of Jericho, ensuring her and her family's physical salvation. Symbolically, the color scarlet is often associated with blood in biblical contexts, particularly the blood of sacrifice and redemption. This draws parallels to the blood applied to the doorposts during the Passover in [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Passover Blood"), which marked homes for deliverance from the angel of death. Thus, the scarlet line foreshadows the ultimate redemptive power of the blood of Christ, which marks believers for salvation from spiritual judgment. It represents God's provision for salvation through a visible token of faith.

**Why was Rahab, a harlot and a Gentile, chosen for such a pivotal role?**

Answer: Rahab's inclusion in this narrative, despite her background as a Gentile and a harlot, powerfully illustrates God's sovereign choice and His expansive grace. Her "choice" was rooted in her faith, as she alone among the Jerichoites recognized and declared the supremacy of the God of Israel ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession")). Her faith was not passive but active, demonstrated by her actions of hiding the spies and displaying the scarlet cord. Her story highlights that God's salvation is not limited by human conventions, social status, or past sins, but is extended to all who respond to Him in genuine faith and obedience. Her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")) further emphasizes God's redemptive plan to include Gentiles and to work through unexpected individuals to accomplish His purposes.

**Does Rahab's story imply that salvation is earned through works?**

Answer: Rahab's story clearly demonstrates that salvation is received through faith, not earned through works, but that genuine faith inevitably leads to works. Her initial act of hiding the spies and her confession of faith in the God of Israel were acts of belief and trust. The display of the scarlet line was an act of obedience, a tangible manifestation of that faith. The New Testament affirms this, with [Hebrews 11:31](/hebrews/11-31 "Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab's Faith") commending her "faith" and [James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab's Faith Perfected by Works") stating that "by works was faith made perfect." Her works were not the *cause* of her salvation but the *evidence* of her saving faith. She was justified by God's grace, received through her active trust in His promise, which was then demonstrated through her obedience to the specific instructions given.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:21, with Rahab's binding of the scarlet line, serves as a powerful Old Testament prefigurement of Christ's redemptive work. The scarlet cord, deeply symbolic of blood and sacrifice, points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose shed blood on the cross provides the singular means of salvation for all humanity. Just as the scarlet line marked Rahab's house for deliverance from physical judgment, the blood of Christ marks believers for deliverance from spiritual judgment and eternal death. Rahab, a Gentile harlot, found salvation and was incorporated into the covenant community through an act of faith in a visible sign; similarly, all who believe in Jesus, regardless of their past or ethnicity, are brought into God's family and granted eternal life through faith in His atoning work ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Salvation Through Christ")). Her story beautifully illustrates the New Testament truth that "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Rahab's inclusion in the lineage of Christ ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")) further solidifies her role as a testament to God's universal plan of salvation, culminating in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.

Cross-References

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.