Rahab
Gentile Canaanite (Jericho) · Conquest & Judges · Old Testament
- Also called
- Rachab
- Name means
- Broad; wide
- Role
- Woman of Jericho who sheltered the spies
- When
- c. 1400 BC (traditional)
What they did
Hid the two Israelite spies and confessed that the LORD is God in heaven above and in earth beneath. She tied a scarlet line in her window and was saved with her family when Jericho fell.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
By faith a Gentile woman was spared and joined Israel; she became the mother of Boaz and an ancestress of David and Christ (Matthew 1:5).
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)
Bible references
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there. Joshua 2:1 (KJV)
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 (KJV)
And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:25 (KJV)
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; Matthew 1:5 (KJV)
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:25 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Salmon
- Children
- Boaz
- Brothers / sisters
- Brothers and sisters (unnamed)
Called 'the harlot' (Joshua 2:1; Hebrews 11:31). Her father's household was saved with her (Joshua 6:25).