Rahab
Rahab, a Canaanite woman and resident of Jericho, sheltered two Israelite spies sent by Joshua ahead of the conquest of Canaan, hiding them on her roof and helping them escape after they promised protection for her family. In return she displayed a scarlet cord from her window as a signal, and when the city walls fell she and her household were spared amid the destruction, allowing them to join the Israelite community. Her actions reflected a confession of faith in the God of Israel, as later affirmed in the New Testament book of Hebrews. Rahab eventually married Salmon of the tribe of Judah and appears in the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthewโs Gospel, underscoring themes of redemption and the inclusion of Gentiles in the messianic line.
Biography
- Occupation
- Innkeeper
- Spouse
- Salmon
- Children
- Boaz
- Era
- Conquest (c. 1400 BC)
- Nationality
- Canaanite
Family
Did You Know?
Rahab's name derives from the Hebrew root for 'broad' or 'spacious,' fitting her role as an innkeeper whose house was built into Jericho's double city wall, enabling the spies' nighttime escape by rope from her window in Joshua 2:15.
The scarlet cord Rahab tied in her window as a signal for protection during Jericho's fall parallels the Passover lamb's blood on Israelite doorposts, serving as the sole biblical instance of such a marker guaranteeing family-wide salvation from conquest.
Though a Canaanite outsider, Rahab appears among only five women in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus as the wife of Salmon and mother of Boaz, placing her directly in the lineage leading to King David and underscoring Gentile inclusion in the messianic line.
Rahab's confession in Joshua 2:10-11 reveals detailed knowledge of the Exodus plagues and Red Sea crossing among Jericho's residents decades later, illustrating how news of Israel's God spread through Canaanite trade networks before the conquest.
New Testament writers cite Rahab as a dual exemplar of faith in Hebrews 11:31 for welcoming the spies and of works in James 2:25 for her active deception of Jericho's king, bridging Old Testament narrative with early Christian theology on justification.
Key Passages
Rahab Hides the Spies
Joshua 2:1-21
A Canaanite prostitute risks everything to protect Israel's spies because she recognizes the true God - demonstrating that faith transcends ethnicity, gender, and moral background.
1nd 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 harlotโs house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Rahab's Family Saved
Joshua 6:22-25
Rahab's scarlet cord in the window saves her household from Jericho's destruction - a picture of salvation through faith that parallels the Passover blood on the doorposts.
22ut Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlotโs house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
Faith of Rahab
Hebrews 11:31
Hebrews lists Rahab among the heroes of faith alongside Abraham and Moses - confirming that God honors genuine faith regardless of one's past.
31y faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.