King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:18 Mean?

Joshua 6:18 in the King James Version says “And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accur...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. accursed: or, devoted a curse: or, devoted”

Joshua 6:18 · KJV

Context

16

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

17

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. accursed: or, devoted

18

And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. accursed: or, devoted a curse: or, devoted

19

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. consecrated: Heb. holiness

20

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. flat: Heb. under it

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The scarlet thread (חוּט שָׁנִי) that Rahab let down becomes her salvation marker—a typological foreshadowing of Christ's blood. Just as the Passover lamb's blood on doorposts saved Israelites from death (Exodus 12:13), the scarlet cord saves Rahab's household from Jericho's judgment. The Hebrew שָׁנִי (shani) means scarlet, crimson—the color of blood and sacrifice. Rahab must bind it in the window, making salvation visible and accessible. This public identification with Israel's God required courage, as Canaanite neighbors would have questioned her loyalties. The cord remained as a constant witness to her faith-decision. Theologically, this illustrates that salvation requires public identification with God's people and trust in the provided means of deliverance. Rahab couldn't save herself through personal virtue (she was a prostitute) or through alternative means—only through the appointed sign. This exclusivity prefigures Christ as the only way of salvation (John 14:6). The color scarlet throughout Scripture symbolizes both sin's stain (Isaiah 1:18) and redemptive blood that removes it (Hebrews 9:19-22).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Canaanite buildings in cities like Jericho often had windows in the outer walls where families could look out or conduct business. Rahab's house being 'upon the town wall' (verse 15) explains why spies could escape through her window. The hanging of specific markers for identification was common in ancient warfare—cities under treaty protection would display specific signs to spare them during conquest. Rahab's faith in binding the scarlet cord parallels Israel's faith in applying blood to doorposts during the Exodus. Both required acting on God's word before deliverance came. The scarlet thread industry was significant in the ancient Near East—purple and scarlet dyes were expensive, often associated with royalty and wealth. That Rahab had access to scarlet thread suggests her brothel served elite clientele, perhaps explaining how she gained intelligence about Israel that influenced her faith (verse 11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the scarlet thread as a visible sign of faith challenge privatized or hidden Christianity?
  2. What does Rahab's exclusive trust in the provided sign teach about salvation by faith alone in Christ alone?
  3. In what ways does the scarlet thread (pointing to Christ's blood) comfort you regarding past sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְרַק1 of 17

“And ye in any wise”

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אַתֶּם֙2 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שִׁמְר֣וּ3 of 17

“keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִן4 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לְחֵ֔רֶם5 of 17

“a curse”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

פֶּֽן6 of 17
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תַּחֲרִ֖ימוּ7 of 17

“lest ye make yourselves accursed”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֣ם8 of 17

“when ye take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִן9 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לְחֵ֔רֶם10 of 17

“a curse”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

וְשַׂמְתֶּ֞ם11 of 17

“and make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת12 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַֽחֲנֵ֤ה13 of 17

“the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙14 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְחֵ֔רֶם15 of 17

“a curse”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

וַֽעֲכַרְתֶּ֖ם16 of 17

“and trouble”

H5916

properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict

אוֹתֽוֹ׃17 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 6:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 6:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 5:21Ephesians 5:11Joshua 7:11-12Joshua 7:1Joshua 7:252 Corinthians 6:17

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 6 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes