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    Who Was Rahab in the Bible?

    Who Was Rahab in the Bible? Rahab was a Canaanite woman in Jericho who, by faith, hid Israel's spies and was saved with her family, later becoming an ancestor of Jesus.

    Key verse: Joshua 2:11 (KJV)

    Rahab was a Canaanite woman in Jericho who, by faith, hid Israel's spies and was saved with her family, later becoming an ancestor of Jesus.

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    Quick Answer

    Rahab was a Canaanite woman in Jericho who, by faith, hid Israel's spies and was saved with her family, later becoming an ancestor of Jesus.

    "For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." — Joshua 2:11 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Rahab's story is one of the Bible's most remarkable examples of grace. A prostitute in Jericho, she hid two Israelite spies and confessed faith in Israel's God (Joshua 2:11). When Jericho fell, she and her family were spared (Joshua 6:25). She married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz, placing her in the direct lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). She is commended in Hebrews 11:31 as a hero of faith and in James 2:25 as an example of faith producing works. Rahab's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy demonstrates that God's grace extends to everyone, regardless of background.

    Key Scripture References

    "For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."
    "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
    "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

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    Deep Dive Commentary

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Joshua. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Joshua on day 58 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “Who Was Rahab in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Rahab's story is one of the Bible's most remarkable examples of grace. A prostitute in Jericho, she hid two Israelite spies and confessed faith in Israel's God (Joshua 2:11). When Jericho fell, she and her family were spared (Joshua 6:25). She married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz, placing her in the direct lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). She is commended in Hebrews 11:31 as a hero of faith and in James 2:25 as an example of faith producing works. Rahab's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy demonstrates that God's grace extends to everyone, regardless of background.

    Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.

    Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'