Rahab is a prominent figure in the Bible, first mentioned in the book of Joshua. She was a Canaanite prostitute living in Jericho at the time when the Israelites were preparing to enter and conquer the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. Some key facts about Rahab from the Bible include:
Rahab hid the Israelite spies
When Joshua sent two spies to the city of Jericho to scout the land, Rahab took them in and hid them from the king of Jericho, who was looking to capture them. Rahab lived in a house that was built into the city wall, so she let the spies down from her window with a rope and told them to hide in the hills to escape from the king’s men (Joshua 2:1-7). She did this because she had heard about how the God of Israel was supremely powerful and would give the Israelites the land.
Rahab lied to protect the spies
When the king of Jericho heard that Israelite spies had entered the city, he sent messengers to Rahab asking where they were. But Rahab lied and said the men had already left, so the king’s messengers went chasing after them down the road to the Jordan River, allowing the spies to remain safely hidden outside the city (Joshua 2:8-22). Rahab did not want to betray the spies because she feared the God of Israel.
Rahab made a covenant with the spies
Before helping the Israelite spies escape from Jericho, Rahab made them swear an oath that they would show her kindness and mercy when the Israelites attacked the city. She asked them to spare her life and the lives of her family members in exchange for her protection. The spies agreed to this covenant and told Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in her window so that the Israelite soldiers would know to pass over her house and not harm the inhabitants (Joshua 2:12-21).
Rahab assisted the Israelites in conquering Jericho
As described in Joshua 6, when the Israelites surrounded Jericho during their conquest of the Promised Land, Rahab kept her part of the covenant by keeping her scarlet cord hung in her window. As a result, Joshua instructed the army to spare Rahab and everyone in her house when they destroyed all of Jericho with God’s power. This allowed Rahab and her family to survive and leave the city safely (Joshua 6:22-25).
Rahab became part of Israel
After being delivered from Jericho, Rahab lived among the Israelites at their camp in Gilgal. She fully embraced their God and way of life. Rahab later married an Israelite man named Salmon and gave birth to a son named Boaz, becoming the great-grandmother of King David (Joshua 6:25; Matthew 1:5-6). Her story illustrates God’s acceptance of outsiders into His people.
Rahab had exemplary faith
The New Testament commends Rahab as a model of faith. The author of Hebrews includes her in his “Hall of Faith,” praising her for welcoming and hiding the Israelite spies because “she had given them peace” and did not perish along with the unbelievers of Jericho (Hebrews 11:31). James also applauds Rahab for demonstrating that faith without works is dead: “Was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” (James 2:25). Her actions proved the genuineness of her belief.
Rahab was a forerunner of salvation
As a Canaanite woman who left her pagan roots behind to be incorporated into Israel, Rahab symbolized the expansion of salvation from Israel to all nations. Matthew’s Gospel begins with mention of her as the wife of Salmon and mother of Boaz to demonstrate that God’s mercy includes even Gentile outsiders like her. She is praised for courageously siding with God’s people and purposes. Her inclusion in the genealogy of Christ hints at His mission to save both Jews and Gentiles.
Rahab was known for her cunning
The pagan inhabitants of Jericho clearly knew that Rahab was aligning herself with the invading Israelite army, as noted when the king’s messengers said to her, “it was plainly told to us how the Lord your God commanded…[Joshua] to give you this whole land…all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you” (Joshua 2:9-11). Rahab was cunning in how she negotiated with the spies to save herself and her family, and became known for her shrewdness.
Rahab was a woman of flawed character
Although Rahab aided Israel and is listed in the hall of faith, the Bible is upfront about her background and character. She was a Canaanite prostitute who lived in a condemned pagan city, and lied to her own people to protect Joshua’s spies. While her faith was genuine, some traditional Jewish interpretations say the spies actually lodged at an inn Rahab managed, not her home personally. Yet God still worked through this imperfect woman and changed her life.
Rahab experienced a transformed life
Rahab is a clear example of God’s ability to take people from bad backgrounds and transform them into new creations. She was associated with a depraved culture as a Canaanite and practiced prostitution, but displayed remarkable faith in the God of Israel. Her life was so radically changed that she became the wife of a top Israelite leader and part of the lineage of Christ. God redeemed her faith and good works from her former way of life.
Rahab helped fulfill God’s purposes
As a key player in the battle of Jericho, Rahab greatly assisted Israel in beginning their conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land. Her aid enabled the spies to escape and return with a good report to Joshua, leading to the miraculous victory when the walls fell flat. Her actions were strategically used by God to advance His purposes through the nation of Israel. She played her part in fulfilling God’s promises to Abraham.
Key lessons from Rahab’s life
Here are some key lessons that emerge from studying about Rahab in the Bible:
- God opposes sin but shows mercy to those who repent.
- True faith leads to good works and risks taken for God.
- God desires to incorporate outsiders into His people.
- God can use anyone, no matter their past sins or background.
- Rahab was resourceful and bold in protecting God’s people.
- Women of faith can play strategic roles in God’s plans.
- No one is beyond the reach of God’s redemption and grace.
In summary, Rahab began as a Gentile prostitute in a pagan culture opposed to God’s people. Yet she demonstrated exemplary faith by hiding the spies at personal risk, lying to protect them, and negotiating for her family’s deliverance. As a result, she was spared, welcomed into Israel, radically transformed, and even became an ancestress of Jesus Christ. Her remarkable life shows that God can change anyone to use them for His glory.
Rahab in the New Testament
In addition to being mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, Rahab is used as an example of living faith and justification by works in the New Testament epistles. Some key references include:
- Hebrews 11:31 – Rahab is commended for welcoming the spies in peace and not perishing with the disobedient.
- James 2:25 – Rahab’s deception of the king’s men is presented as an example of faith combined with action.
- Hebrews 11:6 – The faith by which Rahab perished not is contrasted with those who refuse to believe God.
The New Testament writers admired Rahab’s boldness, risky protection of the spies, and how her faith was confirmed by action. She surrendered to the God of Israel and betrayed her own people in a courageous display of belief. The epistle authors used Rahab to inspire and convict early believers to match or surpass the quality of her faith.
Significance and legacy
For a foreign woman coming from a sinful pagan background, Rahab has an extraordinarily significant legacy in both Jewish and Christian tradition. Here are some reasons why:
- Rahab is one of only five women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus Christ.
- She is one of only two women listed in Hebrews 11’s hall of faith (along with Sarah).
- Rahab is one of the most renowned ancestors of King David and thus an ancestress of Jesus.
- She is revered for her faith and protection of the Israelite spies.
- Rahab represents the expansion of salvation beyond the Jews to other nations.
- She exemplifies faith confirmed by risky, courageous works.
- Rahab resisted her sinful culture to align with God and aid His people.
This foreign woman became an ideal example of remarkable faith and God’s desire to save people from all nations who will believe in Him. Rahab has been praised through the millennia for her courage, cunning, and belief in embracing the true God.
Key facts and overview
In summary, here are the key facts to know about Rahab as presented in the Bible:
- She was a Canaanite prostitute living in Jericho when Israel approached the Promised Land.
- Rahab hid the two spies Joshua sent to scout Jericho.
- She lied to protect the spies from the king of Jericho.
- Rahab secured a covenant to spare herself and her family.
- She helped Israel conquer Jericho by hanging a scarlet cord.
- Rahab lived among the Israelites and married an Israelite named Salmon.
- Her son was Boaz, making her David’s great-grandmother.
- She is praised for her faith and works in the New Testament.
- Rahab transitioned from a Gentile prostitute to a woman of God.
Rahab played a strategic part in Israel’s conquest of Canaan. She protected Joshua’s spies at personal risk, aided Israel in victory, aligned herself with God’s people, and became the wife of an Israelite leader and mother of Boaz. Despite her pagan past, she is revered for her remarkable faith and good works. Rahab is a powerful example of God’s desire and ability to redeem anyone who believes in Him.