Rahab
Harlot Who Believed
c. 1400 BC
Father
Unknown Canaanite
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
Salmon
Children
Boaz
Biography
Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape. Her confession reveals remarkable faith: "The LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." When Jericho fell, Rahab and her family alone were spared, identified by the scarlet cord in her window. She married Salmon, an Israelite, and became an ancestor of David and Christ—her name appearing in Matthew's genealogy. James holds up Rahab alongside Abraham as an example of faith demonstrated by works. Hebrews includes her in the roll call of faith. This Canaanite prostitute became a mother in Israel, demonstrating that no background is beyond God's transforming grace.
Key Events
Rahab hid Israelite spies and lied to protect them
Rahab declared faith in Israel's God
The cord marked her house for salvation
Rahab and her family alone were spared
Key Verses
“For the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”
Rahab's confession of faith
“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient.”
Rahab's faith commended
“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers?”
Rahab's faith demonstrated by works
Spiritual Significance
Rahab demonstrates that faith saves regardless of past sins or ethnic background. Her scarlet cord pictures Christ's blood that marks believers for salvation.
Typological Connection
The scarlet cord marking Rahab's house for salvation pictures the blood of Christ marking believers for deliverance from judgment.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Faith in God of Israel, courage to hide spies, acted on faith
Weaknesses
Former prostitute, lied to protect the spies (though this may show wisdom rather than weakness)
Lessons
No past is beyond redemption. Faith acts on belief. Outsiders can become insiders through faith. God uses unlikely people.