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.
Listen, when we come to attack the land, you must tie this red cord in the window that you used to lower us down. And you must bring your father, mother, brothers, and your entire family into your house with you.
The Israelite spies are giving Rahab specific instructions on how to protect her family when they return to conquer Jericho - she must display a red cord and gather her loved ones in her house.
📚 Historical Context
This conversation happened when two Israelite spies were hiding in Rahab's house in Jericho, after she had helped them escape the king's soldiers by lowering them down from her window with a rope. The Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River and conquer the Promised Land, starting with the fortified city of Jericho. Rahab, a Canaanite woman, had shown faith in Israel's God and was now being promised protection for her kindness.
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