THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
The birth of Christ was anticipated by Rahab when she was spared from destruction through the symbol of the 'scarlet cord'; in this symbol, she looked forward to the revelation of truth. Hymns for the Nativity of Christ
Joshua 2:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
If, when we come into the land, this scarlet cord be a sign, and thou tie it in the window, by which thou hast let us down: and gather together thy father and mother, and brethren, and all thy kindred into thy house.
הִנֵּ֛ה אֲנַ֥חְנוּ בָאִ֖ים בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֶת־תִּקְוַ֡ת חוּט֩ הַשָּׁנִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה תִּקְשְׁרִ֗י בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹרַדְתֵּ֣נוּ ב֔וֹ וְאֶת־אָבִ֨יךְ וְאֶת־אִמֵּ֜ךְ וְאֶת־אַחַ֗יִךְ וְאֵת֙ כָּל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יךְ תַּאַסְפִ֥י אֵלַ֖יִךְ הַבָּֽיְתָה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theodoret of Cyrus
Just as the spies sent by Joshua rescued the faithful Rahab by providing her with ‘a scarlet cord’ as a symbol of deliverance, the Apostles of our Savior led the corrupted Church away from her former immorality and blessed her with eternal grace—not through a scarlet cord but through the pure blood of Christ. Hence, one should not consider Rahab unworthy to represent the Church. Reflect on the words of the Apostle: ‘For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another’ (Titus 3:3); and similarly: ‘But then, when you did not know God, you served unto those which by nature are no gods’ (Gal.
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4:8); and in another passage: ‘For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord’ (Eph. 5:8). Furthermore, it is written: ‘Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God: and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God’ (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Cyprian of Carthage
This imagery indicates that everyone destined to live and avoid the devastation of the world must come together within one unified dwelling, the Church. If anyone who has been welcomed into this community steps outside the door, meaning if a person who has received grace within the Church chooses to forsake it and departs, that individual will bear the responsibility for their own downfall.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Josh 6:23And the young men went in, and brought out Rahab, and her parents, her brethren also, and all her goods, and her kindred, and made them to stay without the camp.
- Josh 2:21And she answered: As you have spoken, so be it done: and sending them on their way, she hung the scarlet cord in the window.
- Josh 2:12Now, therefore, swear ye to me by the Lord, that as I have shewed mercy to you, so you also will shew mercy to my father's house: and give me a true token.
- Josh 2:13That you will save my father and mother, my brethren and sisters, and all things that are theirs, and deliver our souls from death.
- Acts 10:33Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now, therefore, all we are present in thy sight to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.
- Lev 14:4Shall command him that is to be purified, to offer for himself two living sparrows, which it is lawful to eat, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.
- Heb 9:19For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people.
- Gen 19:12And they said to Lot: Hast thou here any of thine? son in law, or sons, or daughters, all that are thine bring them out of this city: