The Harlot Who Pleased God: The Story Of Rahab Series

• Matthew 1:5

• Hebrews 11:31

• James 2:25

Who did Rahab marry?

Rahab married one of the two spies she protected. Rahab’s husband was Salmon. He was a prince in the tribe of Judah. Rahab married into royalty in Israel.

Who are the descendants of Rahab?

Rahab gave birth to Boaz. Interestingly, Boaz married Ruth, a woman with a pagan background who came to accept the Israelite God. Boaz and Ruth had Jesse, who became the father of King David. It is through the line of David that Jesus is born.

What does the name Rahab mean?

Rahab’s name came from the Egyptian God Ra. It means insolence or fierceness.

Characteristics of Rahab in the Bible

There are quite a few outstanding qualities of Rahab. I am glad we know her name. Let us take a closer look at her.

Rahab was a woman of means

The most well-known detail about Rahab is that she was a prostitute. However, if you look closely at her life, you will see that she was more than that.

Rahab was a successful businesswoman. She had something like a motel, it seems. Plus, she had a linen business. When she hid the spies on her roof, she put them under flax. Flax was used in making fabric. Rahab had a business similar to Lydia in the New Testament.

Rahab had no husband. She had no cover in a society where women largely depended on the men to provide for them.

We know that Rahab had a family, but she took care of herself. By today’s standards, Rahab would be considered an independent woman. A girl boss if you please.

Rahab was extremely hospitable

In Bible times, much like some cultures today, caring towards strangers was very important. Nevertheless, it was more important to ensure no harm came to the guests in your house. Protection was the responsibility of the host.

Do you remember that very horrifying Bible story of the man who was willing to give up his daughters to be abused rather than allow his visitors to suffer that fate?

Well, Rahab’s hospitality still topped that. Rahab was willing to give up her own life to hide her visitors.

Rahab believed in the God of heaven

Rahab was raised as a pagan. But due to her line of work, she heard of the Red Sea event and other wars that God fought for the Israelites.

Because Rahab kept an inn, travelers passed through often, so she was in a position to hear many stories from different perspectives. Her faith in the God of heaven was kindled.

No doubt she heard enough to determine the truth of the Israelites’ God.

Rahab more than likely worshipped many gods believed to be in charge of different things. The earth. The sea. The sky. Fertility. Moreover, the list goes on.

But when she came to believe in the God of heaven, she acknowledged Him as the God above all other gods and in charge of every single thing “…for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:11)

Rahab’s confession gives us a window into her understanding of how all-powerful God was. She believed He could save her life, no matter how difficult things looked.

Rahab’s faith was imperfect

Although she believed there was a little problem. Rahab’s faith was imperfect, like the Canaanite Woman and the Samaritan Woman.