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Scriptural References to Rahab the Harlot

Rahab, a woman of Jericho, is mentioned in several biblical texts, primarily in connection with the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Her story first appears in Joshua 2, where she is identified as a harlot who sheltered two Israelite spies sent by Joshua [5]. The Hebrew term for "harlot" (זֹנָה, zonah) is used, though some Jewish traditions interpret her as an innkeeper [4, 8].

In the book of Joshua, Rahab plays a crucial role in the Israelite conquest of Jericho. When Joshua sent two spies to reconnoiter the land, they lodged at Rahab's house [3]. The king of Jericho learned of their presence and sent men to apprehend them, but Rahab hid the spies under stalks of flax on her roof [13]. She then misled the king's messengers, telling them the spies had already left the city [5]. Rahab expressed her faith in the God of Israel, acknowledging His power and the fear that had fallen upon the inhabitants of Canaan because of the Israelites [13]. In exchange for her protection, the spies promised to spare Rahab and her family during the impending destruction of Jericho, instructing her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign [5]. When Jericho was captured, Joshua saved Rahab and her household, and she lived among the Israelites [16].

Rahab is also significant in the New Testament. She is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5 as the mother of Boaz by Salmon [1, 5, 12]. This inclusion highlights her unexpected role in the lineage of the Messiah. Furthermore, Rahab is commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:31, which states, "By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace" [6]. The Epistle of James also references Rahab as an example of justification by works, noting that she "was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?" [7, 11, 14]. These New Testament references emphasize her faith and actions as exemplary.

Beyond the individual Rahab of Jericho, the name "Rahab" (רַהַב) also appears in a poetic sense in the Old Testament, referring to Egypt. This usage, meaning "proud" or "insolence," is found in passages like Psalm 87:4, Psalm 89:10, and Isaiah 51:9 [2, 3, 9]. Job 9:13 also mentions "the helpers of Rahab" in a context that some interpreters connect to this symbolic representation of Egypt [10]. Augustine, in his exposition on the Psalms, notes this distinction, stating that "Rahab belongs not to the Jewish people" in this context [15].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Rachab — Rahab the harlot. (Matthew 1:15)”
  2. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Rahab — proud; quarrelsome (applied to Egypt)”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Rahab — Insolence; pride, a poetical name applied to Egypt in Ps. 87:4; 89:10; Isa. 51:9, as "the proud one." Rahab, (Heb. Rahab; i.e., "broad," "large"). When the Hebrews were encamped at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to "spy the land." After five days they returned, having swum across the river, which at this season, the month Abib, overflowed its banks from the melting of the snow on Lebanon. The spies reported how it had fared with them (Josh. 2:1-7). They h”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Harlot — That this class of persons existed in the earliest states of society is clear from (Genesis 38:15) Rahab, (Joshua 2:1) is said by the Chald. Paraphr. to have been an innkeeper; but if there were such persons, considering what we know of Canaanitish morals, (Leviticus 18:27) we may conclude that they would, if women, have been of this class. The "harlots" are classed with "publicans," as those who lay under the ban of society, in the New Testament. (Matthew 21:32)”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Rahab, Or Rachab — (wide), a celebrated woman of Jericho who received the spies sent by Joshua to spy out the land, hid them in her house from the pursuit of her countrymen, was saved with all her family when the Israelites sacked the city, and became the wife of Salmon and the ancestress of the Messiah. (Joshua 2:1; Matthew 1:5) (B.C. 1450.) She was a "harlot", and probably combined the trade of lodging-keeper for wayfaring men. Her reception of the spies, the artifice by which she concealed them from the king: their escape, and the saving of Rahab and her family at ”
  6. Hebrews “Hebrews 11:31 (DRC) — By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.”
  7. James “James 2:25 (YLT) — and in like manner also Rahab the harlot--was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?”
  8. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:29: By faith the harlot Rahab,.... The Targum on Jos 2:1 calls her , "a woman, that kept a victualling house": this paraphrase is taken notice of by Jarchi and Kimchi on the place, who interpret it, "a seller of food": and even the Hebrew word is so explained by a considerable Jewish writer (p); and this may rather seem to be the sense of the word, and to be her proper business, from the spies going to her house, as being an house of entertainment; and from Salmon's marrying her, which might be thought strange that a prince of Israel would, had she been a person of ill ”
  9. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 87:4: I will make mention of Rahab,.... Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients (y) interpret it; for the letters of both words are not the same in Hebrew; though mention is made of her in the Gospel, and Gospel times, in the genealogy of Christ, and by two of the apostles, Mat 1:5, but of Egypt; and so the Targum interprets it, which is so called, as it is in Psa 89:10 either from the pride of its inhabitants, the word having in it the sense of pride and haughtiness, and these being naturally proud and haughty, as Philo (z) the Jew observes; or from so”
  10. Job (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Job 9:11: 11 Behold, He goeth by me and I see not, And passeth by and I perceive Him not. 12 Behold, He taketh away, who will hold Him back? Who will say to Him: What doest Thou? 13 Eloah restraineth not His anger, The helpers of Rahab stoop under Him - 14 How much less that I should address Him, That I should choose the right words in answer to Him; 15 Because, though I were right, I could not answer, - To Him as my Judge I must make supplication. God works among men, as He works in nature, with a supreme control over all, invisibly, irresistibly, and is not responsible ”
  11. James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 2:25: It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence Heb 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not." If an instance of obedience were wanting. Paul and James would hardly have quoted a w”
  12. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 1:4: And Aram begat Aminadab,.... Which, with what follows in this verse, exactly agrees with the genealogical account in Rut 4:19. . Matthew 1:5 mat 1:5 mat 1:5 mat 1:5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab,.... That Salmon begat Boaz, is affirmed in Rut 4:21 but it is not there said, nor any where else in the Old Testament, as here, that he begat him of Rahab, that is, of Rahab the harlot. This the Evangelist had from tradition, or from the Jewish records. That the Messiah was to spring from Boaz is asserted by the Jewish writers (s); and they also own that Rahab was married”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — CHAP. XII.--THE REWARDS OF FAITH AND HOSPITALITY. RAHAB.: On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they were come to spy out their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken, they might be put to death. But the hospitable Rahab receiving them, concealed them on the roof of her house under some stalks of flax. And when the men sent by the king arrived and said, "There came men unto t”
  14. James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 2:25: Rahab the harlot - See the notes on Jos 2:1, etc., and Heb 11:31 (note), etc. Rahab had the approbation due to genuine faith, which she actually possessed, and gave the fullest proof that she did so by her conduct. As justification signifies, not only the pardon of sin, but receiving the Divine approbation, James seems to use the word in this latter sense. God approved of them, because of their obedience to his will; and he approves of no man who is not obedient.”
  15. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LXXXVII.(5) (part 6): are spoken. Now the earthly city has been destroyed: after suffering the enemy's rage, it fell to the earth; it is no longer what it was: it exhibited the emblem, and the shadow hath passed away. Whence then are "very excellent things spoken of thee, thou city of God"? Listen whence: "I will think upon Rahab and Babylon, with them that know Me" (ver. 4). In that city, the Prophet, in the person of God, says, "I will think upon Rahab and Babylon." Rahab belongs not to the Jewish people;(9) Babylon belongs not to the Jew”
  16. Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 6:25: And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive,.... From perishing by the sword, as the rest of the inhabitants did. Kimchi says, some interpret it of his giving her food, and an inheritance by which she might live; and Josephus (f) intimates the same: he says, he gave her fields, and had her in great honour and esteem; and it is the notion of some Jewish writers, that he took her to wife, and that this is meant by saving her alive; which sense Kimchi disapproves of, as being foreign; besides, it was not Joshua, but Salmon, a prince in Israel, that married her, Mat 1:5, an”
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