Judges · In the line to Jesus

Rahab

A Canaanite prostitute in Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and was saved when the city fell. Rahab recognized that the God of Israel was the true God—a remarkable confession of faith from a pagan woman. She hung a scarlet cord from her window as a sign, and her entire family was rescued from destruction. Rahab married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz, great-great-grandmother of King David, and one of five women in Jesus’ genealogy. The New Testament celebrates her faith in Hebrews 11 and James 2.

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The verse that names Rahab

When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.Joshua 2:11 · Berean Standard Bible

Where to read about Rahab

Joshua 2:1-21

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 it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 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…

Two spies enter Jericho and find help in the last place they'd expect — the house of a prostitute whose faith outshines an entire city.

Joshua 6:22-25

Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” 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. Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the…

The battle plan makes no military sense: march, blow trumpets, shout. But the walls come down — because this was never about strategy.

Matthew 1:5

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

The New Testament opens with a genealogy — and every name carries a story. Two great promises converge in one person. This is where it all comes together.

Hebrews 11:31

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

A roll call of people who trusted God without seeing the outcome. By faith, by faith, by faith — the phrase becomes a drumbeat.

Rahab in the line to Jesus

Rahab doesn't appear in the direct line from Adam to Jesus, but stands one step from it through Salmon, who does. See the whole line.

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