Rahab

Definition

Rahab was a woman who lived in Jericho when Israel attacked the city. Rahab was also the name of a mythical monster of primeval chaos.

• Rahab was a prostitute who hid the two Israelites who came to spy on Jericho before the Israelites attacked it. She helped the spies escape back to the Israelite camp.
• Rahab became a believer in Yahweh.
• She and her family came to live with the Israelites after the Israelites destroyed Jericho and spared Rahab and her family.
• The mythical sea monster was pictured as ruling the chaotic sea and God was pictured as defeating that sea monster when he brought order into the world during creation.
• The sea monster Rahab was pictured as a serpent or dragon, and may have been considered the same as the mythical creature called Leviathan.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: Israel, Jericho, prostitute)

Bible References

• Hebrews 11:29-31
• James 2:25
• Joshua 2:21
• Joshua 6:17-19
• Matthew 1:5
• Psalms 87:4
• Psalms 89:10
• Job 9:13

Examples from the Bible stories

• __15:1 In that city there lived a prostitute named Rahab who hid the spies and later helped them to escape. She did this because she believed God. They promised to protect Rahab__ and her family when the Israelites would destroy Jericho.
• __15:5 The Israelites destroyed everything in the city as God had commanded. Rahab__ and her family were the only people in the city that they did not kill. They became part of the Israelites.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H7343, G44600