Rahab - Word Foundations

Rahab was a prostitute and a resident of Jericho at the time her city was conquered by the Israelites. In Joshua 2:1, Joshua sent two spies out to “scout the land, especially Jericho.” The two men went out, and they found refuge in Rahab’s home. Apparently the news of their presence got out, for the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab to release the men to him. She protected them by sending a message to the king that the spies had indeed come by, but she didn’t know who they were. At nightfall, she said, they left. She encouraged the king’s men to search the area for the spies, and they did so. Verse 6 declares, “But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had arranged on the roof.”

Rahab told the Israelite spies, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (vv. 9-11).

Rahab asked the spies to be kind to her and to spare her life and the lives of her family members. They promised her that if she would tie a scarlet rope to the window from which they were escaping, then their lives would indeed be spared. Rahab lived in a house that had been built into the city wall, so she was able to help the men escape by lowering them down through a window. She told them, “Go to the hill country so that the men pursuing you won’t find you.…Hide yourselves there for three days until they return; afterward, go on your way” (v. 16). When the spies returned, they brought Joshua the news that the people of Jericho were terrified of all the Israelites. News of God’s actions to help His people had instilled fear in their hearts.

Joshua did spare Rahab and her family when the Israelites conquered Jericho, “because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho” (Josh. 6:25). This historical fact is echoed in the New Testament; in Hebrews 11:30-31 the inspired writer stated, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.”

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.