what is the story of rehab in the bible?

The Story of Rahab From the Book of Joshua, when the Hebrews were camped at Shittim, in the Jordan valley across from Jericho, Joshua sent out two spies to examine the fighting force of Jericho. The spies hid in Rahab's house, which was constructed into the city wall. The men who were sent to seize the spies asked Rahab to bring them out.

Full Answer

Who is Rahab and what did she do?

Rahab (/ˈreɪhæb/; Hebrew: רָחָב‎, Modern: Raẖav, Tiberian: Rāḥāḇ, "broad", "large", Arabic: رحاب, a vast space of a land) was, according to the Book of Joshua, a woman who lived in Jericho in the Promised Land and assisted the Israelites in capturing the city by hiding two men who had been sent to scout the city prior ...

Is Boaz the son of Rahab?

Hebrew Bible The son of Salmon and his wife Rahab, Boaz was a wealthy landowner of Bethlehem in Judea, and relative of Elimelech, Naomi's late husband. He notices Ruth, the widowed Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, a relative of his (see family tree), gleaning grain in his fields.

Why did God spare Rahab and her family?

Rahab and her family were spared death because of her act of courage. More importantly, the reason she is so esteemed by in the New Testament comes from what she said to the two spies.Mar 19, 2019

Where did Rahab live?

the city of JerichoRahab is described as a prostitute living in the outer wall of the city of Jericho. She assists two spies sent by Joshua to conduct some advance reconnaissance work prior to an attack on Jericho. Rahab hides the spies and lies to the King of Jericho about her knowledge of their presence in the city.Apr 29, 2019

What does the name Rahab mean?

Large; extendedIn Biblical Names the meaning of the name Rahab is: Large; extended (name of a woman).

What did Rahab say?

So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land." But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.

How did Rahab show faith?

The NT rightly commends Rahab for her faith, emphasizing what she did for the Israelite spies: "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient" (Heb 11: 31), and "Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging ...

Who is Rahab in the Bible?

But her story goes far beyond simply being a harlot, or "loose woman". Rahab was also a Canaanite, who were the hated enemies of Israel.

Who is Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus Christ?

Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, ...

What happened to Rahab after she escaped?

By placing a red cord out her window, Rahab secured her and her family's safety. When the city of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were saved from the agreement of the spies and were included among the Jewish people.

What was Rahab's most remarkable deed?

The most remarkable deed of Rahab was actually telling a lie, to protect two spies of Joshua. Hence, it is strange that a Harlot, a Canaanite, and a liar is known as a distinguished Bible figure. You wouldn’t think she would have much chance of making the list of renowned biblical characters, but there she is.

Why did the men hide in Rahab's house?

That was her “trade.”. The men hid there because people would be accustomed to seeing strangers come and go at all hours of the night. We also can’t deny the fact that Rahab told a bald-faced lie.

Why is Jesus' genealogy in the Bible?

This genealogy is in the Bible because it lets us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself “the friend of sinners,” and he said he didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Where did the spies hide in the Book of Joshua?

The spies hid in Rahab's house, which was constructed into the city wall.

What does the Bible say about Rahab?

The story of Rahab is one about faith. The Bible tells us that we can’t please God without faith: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

What does the Bible say about Rahab's faith?

The Bible talks about Rahab’s faith. How did Rahab show faith? Let’s imagine it together. For years, the people of Jericho had existed behind their thick walls. None of their neighboring countries had been able to penetrate their walls and so they felt safe. Then they heard about the Israelites.

Why is Rahab called a prostitute?

The Bible calls her Rahab the prostitute because that was her defining trait. The Bible used the word harlot not only to refer to prostitutes but also to anyone who worshipped idols–those who prostituted themselves before pagan gods.

How did Rahab please God?

How Rahab Pleased God. The story of Rahab is about one woman’s courage and her actions that saved her entire family. But more than anything, Rahab’s story is about a woman whose ways pleased the Lord. The story of Rahab is one about faith. The Bible tells us that we can’t please God without faith:

What did Rahab convince her family to do to save their lives?

To save her family’s lives, Rahab managed to convince her whole family two things: that danger was imminent. to move into the home of a harlot in order to save their lives.

Why did Rahab choose an unknown God?

She chose an unknown God because she believed He was greater than all that she had known. Rahab chose to have faith that God existed and that He was faithful to deliver the land He had promised to His people. Finally, Rahab believed that God would reward her for helping the two spies, her, Rahab the prostitute.

What did the people of Jericho hear about the Red Sea?

Still, the people of Jericho may have felt as if they could hide behind their walls. Then they heard about the kings of Sihon and Og who were obliterated in battle (Numbers 21:21-26, 32-35). Miraculous stories trickled into town about the way the Hebrew God had dried up the Red Sea.

How did Rahab help the Israelites?

Rahab helped two Israelites when they came to spy out the land of Jericho. She hid them on her roof when the king came for them. When the coast was clear, Rahab let the spies down by a rope through the window.

When was the Bible History Daily published?

This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on September 23, 2013. Become a member of Biblical Archaeology Society, and gain All Access with your membership today. The BAS Library includes online access to more than 9,000 articles by world-renowned experts and 22,000 gorgeous color photos from….

Is Rahab the harlot in the Bible?

The lifestyle of Rahab in the Bible continues to elude us. Whether we remember her as Rahab the harlot or innkeeper, she was a Biblical heroine. As the point where three of the world’s major religions converge, Israel’s history is one of the richest and most complex in the world.

What does the Bible say about Rahab?

Many Bible commentators, eager to remove the stigma of the designation “harlot” from one included in the genealogy of Christ ( Matthew 1:5 ), have described Rahab as a hostess or tavern keeper.

Why was Rahab saved?

Second, Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was saved because of her faith in "God in heaven above and on the earth below" ( Hebrews 11:31 ). Likewise, Christians are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Why did the agents not dare to risk stopping to search Rahab's house?

The agents did not dare to risk stopping to search Rahab’s house because, if they did, the spies might get away. Finally, the Canaanite prostitute gives the two Israelites excellent advice. She tells them to hide in the hills for three days before attempting to cross the Jordan.

What did Rahab hear about the Israelites?

She heard the stories of their escape from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the wanderings in the wilderness, and their recent victory over the Amorites.

How does Rahab depict the church?

First, she was part of a pagan world system, a prostitute, who by her conversion was enabled to become a legitimate bride.

Where did the Israelites go to escape the city of Jericho?

Safely escaping the city, the two spies returned to Joshua and reported that the "whole land was melting with fear.". The Israelites crossed the Jordan into Canaan where they laid siege to the city of Jericho. The city was completely destroyed, and every man, woman, and child in it was killed. Only Rahab and her family were spared.

What did Rahab's faith enable her to do?

Fifth, Rahab’s faith enabled her to turn away from her culture, her people, and her religion and to the Lord. Commitment to a true faith in God may necessitate setting priorities that are contrary to those of the world, as we are exhorted to do in Romans 12:2. Finally, once we come to Christ, our pasts no longer matter.

What is the meaning of Rahab's story?

Rahab’s story is one of sacrifice, redemption, and hope for each of us who want to be that hero or heroine in the Christian faith for our families and /or community.

Why did Rahab confess her faith in God?

Rahab confessed her faith in God before anything was done for her. She couldn’t know for certain that her family would be spared, but she had faith.

What does the Bible say about courage?

It takes courage to overcome the past. “So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there” (Joshua 2:1). The Bible doesn’t hide the failings of people and Rahab’s reputation was tainted by her sinful past. She had to put her past behind her in order to move forward in God’s plan for her life.

Why did Rahab put her past behind her?

She had to put her past behind her in order to move forward in God’s plan for her life. When the city of Jericho was being taken, Rahab and her family were rescued and led out to a place outside of the camp. It takes courage to assume risk.

What did Rahab's fear lead her to?

Rahab’s fear could’ve led her to turn the spies over—perhaps leading to their death. However, Rahab made the choice of faith in the face of fear and it led to the deliverance of her family. Faith requires action.

How was Rahab's faith tested?

Rahab’s faith was tested by what she did more than what she thought or felt about the situation. She could’ve passed on helping the spies; yet “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Her actions defined her faith in God. Faith gets the attention of God.

Where did Joshua send his spies?

Joshua sent spies to Jericho and they lodged at the house of Rahab, the prostitute. Her quick thinking gave them time and opportunity to get back to their camp. In return, she asked that they would spare her family from death.

Why was Rahab important to Israel?

The Importance of Rahab. Rehab became a central strategic figure of incomparable courage as she helped Israel to enter the promised land and subdue her own people. Whenever the Army of Israel entered Canaan, Rahab acted according to a prearranged plan and hung out a scarlet cord from the window of her establishment.

What does the Book of Joshua say about the first movement of the Conquest?

The Book of Joshua marks the moment and describes the first movements of the Conquest: “ And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land , especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there ” ( Joshua 2:1 ).

What was the pivotal moment in the story of the Ancient Near East?

But there came a pivotal moment in the story of the Ancient Near East when God’s judgment came to the unrepentant peoples of Canaan, fulfilling the covenant made with the Patriarchs . One thinks of Auden’s remarkable poem, “The Fall of Rome,” when the movement of herds on the European tundra marked the march of Goths and Visigoths:

Who was the harlot in the Bible?

The woman who had been called a harlot became a godly wife and mother in Israel . She and her husband became the parents of a boy named Boaz. And that boy would one day marry a widow woman by the name of Ruth ( Ruth 4:5, 10). Thus, as God worked all things together for the good, using the humble and the most unlikely, God raised up a harlot to become the great-great-grandmother of King David. From the line of Rahab came the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, our God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no more touching story of God's glorious grace than the genealogical introduction to the birth of Jesus by faith through the line of Joseph in Matthew chapter 1. Among the many stories that are interwoven in that wonderful section of the Bible, the woman of the scarlet cord takes her honored place.

Did Rahab believe in God?

She not only believed in God but she also acted. For Rahab trusted in God who fulfilled the covenantal promise to Abraham that he would be given land from which would bring a nation, and a descendant, who would bless the earth.

Who recognized the God of Israel?

Rahab recognized the God of Israel. She trusted in him for the righteousness she could not produce in her own life: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.

Was Rahab a prostitute?

Of course, the Canaanites were infamous for cultic prostitution related to idolatrous worship. It may very well have been that Rahab was "a religious prostitute” in pagan practices. We only know what the Bible reveals.

Who is Rahab in the Bible?

Who Was Rahab in the Bible? Rahab is one of five women listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Tamar, Bathsheba, Ruth, and Mary are the other three). This surprises a lot of people because Rahab’s life wasn’t a pretty one, but it certainly belongs.

What did Rahab abandon to cling to God?

4 Things Rahab Abandoned to Cling to God. 1. Her Loyalties. “So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”. Then the woman took the two men and hid them.

What does Rahab do to the soldiers?

Rahab leads the soldiers to believe the spies had come and gone. As if that wasn’t enough risk, Rahab goes on to help the spies create a strategic and safe return home (Joshua 2:14-16). All for the HOPE of a new life, with the One True God and His people.

How did Rahab put her life at risk?

Rahab put her life at risk several times while helping the spies. The first time is mentioned in Joshua 2:4-7 when soldiers came to her door demanding she brings the spies to them. Rahab leads the soldiers to believe the spies had come and gone.

What did Rahab know about the life she had been living?

She KNEW the life she had been living was a lie and she was desperate to find the truth. 2. Rahab was quick to abandon the life she had built for the HOPE of a new one. Rahab put her life at risk several times while helping the spies.

What did God promise the Canaanites?

While the Canaanites were living large and partying doing all the things that grotesquely sinful things (child sacrifices, idol worship, pagan rituals including but not limited to sexual perversions), God was faithfully bringing the Israelites to the land He had promised them in Genesis 15:18-21 and Exodus 33:1-3. (from here on out we’ll refer to it as the Promised Land). It had been 40 years since Joshua, Israel’s leader at the time, had set eyes on the promised land. They had the chance to occupy it once before under the leadership of Moses, but despite God’s promise fear got the best of them. Instead of occupying the land as instructed, they convinced themselves they weren’t strong enough and opted to return to Egypt; the land God had just freed them from (see Numbers chapters 13 & 14).

When is the next Rahab Bible study?

A Rahab Bible Study: Digging Deep Into the Life of Rahab. By Lo November 5, 2020. March 1 , 2021. Sometimes we get this idea that to escape from the things that separate us from God we need to slowly wean ourselves off of them. What I admire so much about Rahab is that she took the “reckless” route.