Joshua 2:21

21 She said, "According to your words, so be it." She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.

Joshua 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 2:21

And she said, according to your words, so [be] it
She agreed, that if the conditions required were not performed, they would be quit of their oath, but if they were, she expected it would be fulfilled:

and she sent them away, and they departed;
took their leave of each other:

and she bound the scarlet line in the window;
immediately, as Abarbinel thinks, and in the sight of the spies, that they might see that she conformed to their direction, and that they might take notice where she fastened it; and that she herself might, at the sight of it, be put in mind of the design of it, and be an encouragement to her faith as to the safety of her and her father's house; and it being a thing so trifling and insignificant in itself, would not be taken notice of by the inhabitants, or be thought to be done with any design; though, according to the instruction of the spies, it seems as if it was to be done when they came into the land, and into the city, and which seems most likely that it was then done.

Joshua 2:21 In-Context

19 If any of you go out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death.
20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be released from this oath that you made us swear to you."
21 She said, "According to your words, so be it." She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.
22 They departed and went into the hill country and stayed there three days, until the pursuers returned. The pursuers had searched all along the way and found nothing.
23 Then the two men came down again from the hill country. They crossed over, came to Joshua son of Nun, and told him all that had happened to them.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.