A prostitute from Jericho during the time of the conquest of Canaan who helped Israelite spies. She was the mother of Boaz and ancestor of King David. She is listed in the family line of Jesus.
About Rahab
A mythological sea monster that symbolized Egypt (Psalm 87:4). “Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still” (Isaiah 30:7). The writers of the Bible described how God helped the people of Israel cross the Red Sea while the Egyptian army drowned there (compare Isaiah 51:10). They used the image of God fighting and defeating a powerful monster to tell this story (Job 26:12; Psalm 89:10; Isaiah 51:9 ).
See also Egypt, Egyptian.
Family Relationships
Key References
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day.
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
All Scripture References (8)
Joshua (5)
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.”
Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.
So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel.
And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day.
Matthew (1)
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
Hebrews (1)
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
James (1)
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?