In brief
Rahab is a woman of Jericho, called a prostitute in the text, at the time of the conquest of Canaan. She welcomes and hides the two spies sent by Joshua, acknowledging that the Lord has given the land to Israel. When the walls of Jericho fall, she and her family are spared. The New Testament cites her for her faith. We remember that God's grace reaches everyone who turns to him.
What does the name Rahab mean?
The name Rahab is generally linked to a word suggesting being wide or spacious, which remains a guess. The Bible does not explain this name. It presents her as a woman of Jericho, who lives on the city wall (Joshua 2:15).
The story of Rahab
The spies at Rahab's house
Joshua 2:1-7Joshua secretly sends two spies to explore the land, especially Jericho. They come to the house of a woman named Rahab. The king of Jericho sends word demanding the men. Rahab hides them under stalks of flax on the roof, and tells the messengers that they have already left.
Rahab's confession
Joshua 2:8-13Before the spies lie down, Rahab goes up to them and tells them she knows that the Lord has given them the land. The terror of the Israelites has seized the inhabitants. She asks them to swear that they will spare her family, as she has dealt kindly with them.
The pact of the scarlet cord
Joshua 2:14-21The men promise to deal kindly and faithfully with her. She lets them down by a rope through the window. They tell her to tie a cord of scarlet thread in the window and to gather her family in the house. Rahab agrees, and ties the cord.
The fall of Jericho
Joshua 6:17-25Joshua orders that Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in the house be spared, because she hid the messengers. The wall collapses, and the people take the city. The two spies bring Rahab and her family out. She has lived in the midst of Israel.
Rahab in the New Testament
Hebrews 11:31The New Testament remembers her. Hebrews 11:31 places her among the heroes of faith: Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies in peace. James 2:25 also cites her to show faith that acts.
What Rahab teaches us
- God welcomes everyone who turns to him, whatever their past.
- Rahab's faith rests on what she heard of God's works: faith is born from what we learn of him.
- True faith shows itself in action: Rahab welcomes the messengers and risks her life.
- God thinks of families: Rahab asks for the salvation of her relatives, and they are spared with her.
- The scarlet cord reminds us that salvation is received by placing ourselves under the protection God has promised.
Key verses
Rahab says she knows that the Lord has given the land to Israel, and that terror has seized the inhabitants. She recognizes God's work while the others remain in fear.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies in peace. The New Testament presents her faith as a model.
Rahab the prostitute was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way. Her faith showed itself in what she did.
Sermons about Rahab
- Rahab, the Surprise Guest in the Promised LandThis message on Joshua 2, the second in the Promised Land series, presents Rahab as a parenthesis that illustrates God's grace: no matter who you are, he opens his arms to you.
- Rahab: Three Kinds of Courage to Grasp God's SalvationThis sermon on Joshua 2 draws out three acts of courage from Rahab, a prostitute of Jericho who grasped the scarlet cord of salvation.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Rahab in the Bible?
Rahab is a woman of Jericho, called a prostitute in the text, who hides the two spies sent by Joshua. She acknowledges that the Lord has given the land to Israel. She is spared with her family when the city falls and is cited for her faith in the New Testament.
What does the name Rahab mean?
The meaning of Rahab's name is debated: it is sometimes linked to a word suggesting being wide or spacious, which remains a guess. The Bible does not explain this name. It simply presents Rahab as a woman of Jericho.
Where can I find Rahab's story in the Bible?
Rahab's story is found in the book of Joshua: in chapter 2, she hides the spies, and in chapter 6, she is spared when Jericho falls. Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 recall her faith and her actions.