Rahab
A Woman of Courage and Faith
Name Information
- Meaning: "Spacious" or "broad"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Feminine
Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute in Jericho who became a heroine of faith. Despite her background, she trusted in the God of Israel, hid the Israelite spies, and became part of God's redemptive story. Her faith and actions saved her family and placed her in the lineage of Christ.
⏰ Conquest of Canaan
Roles
- Protector
- Convert
- Ancestor of Christ
Relationships
- Spouse: Salmon
- Children: Boaz
Story
Rahab lived in the fortified city of Jericho, known for its walls and its sin. As Israel approached to take the land, Joshua sent two spies into the city. Rahab welcomed them into her home and hid them from the king’s soldiers, showing courage and loyalty to a God she had only heard about.
She confessed her belief that the God of Israel was supreme and asked for mercy. The spies agreed to spare her and her family, instructing her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign.
When Jericho fell, Rahab and her family were rescued, and she later married into Israel, becoming the mother of Boaz — a key figure in the story of Ruth and the lineage of David.
Spiritual Significance
- Rahab is remembered for her bold faith in the God of Israel despite being a Gentile and an outsider. She risked her life to hide the spies and declared her belief that the Lord is the true God in heaven and on earth (Joshua 2:11).
- She negotiated the safety of her entire household, showing both strategic wisdom and care for others. Her scarlet cord became a symbol of deliverance and covenant protection.
- Rahab’s inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) demonstrates that God's grace is not limited by past sins or social status.
What We Can Learn
- Faith is not limited by background or status. Rahab’s story shows that anyone who trusts in God can be part of His people.
- Courageous actions in faith can change the course of generations. Rahab’s boldness not only saved her family but positioned her in God’s plan of redemption.
- God redeems and honors those the world may overlook. Rahab went from an outsider to a mother in the Messianic line — a testimony to the transforming power of grace.
Memory Verses
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
— Hebrews 11:31Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
— James 2:25
Key Passages
- Joshua 2
- Joshua 6:22–25
- Hebrews 11:31
- James 2:25
- Matthew 1:5
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