Joshua 2:18

16 “Go to the hill country,” she said, “so that your pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there for three days until they have returned; then go on your way.”

17 The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear

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.

19 If 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.

20 And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind in the window this line of scarlet thread by which thou hast let us down; and thou shalt gather to thee in the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household;
BLB
unless we come into the land and this line of scarlet cord you have tied in the window through which you let us down, and unless your father, and your mother, and your brothers, and all the house of your father, you have gathered to your own house.
ÅB
hvis du ikke, når vi kommer inn i landet, binder denne snor av skarlagenfarget tråd i det vindu som du har firet oss ned igjennom, og så samler din far og din mor og dine brødre og hele din slekt i huset hos deg.
OTB
med mindre, når vi går inn i landet, du har bundet denne skarlagenssnoren i vinduet som du lot oss ned gjennom, og har samlet din far, mor, brødre, og hele din familie i ditt hus.
B1930
hvis du ikke, når vi kommer inn i landet, binder denne snor av skarlagenfarvet tråd i det vindu som du har firet oss ned igjennem, og så samler din far og din mor og dine brødre og hele din slekt i huset hos dig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 6:23

    So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 2:21

    “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.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 2:12–13

    Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 9:19

    For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 14:4

    the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed.

    Read in context
  • Acts 10:33

    So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 19:12–17

    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,

    Read in context
  • Genesis 12:2

    I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

    Read in context