by Shirley Connolly
Read the accounts of Rahab in the following Old and New Testament books.
 Joshua 2:1-21, 6:17-25
Ruth 4:21
Matthew 1:5
Hebrews 11:31
Her Ministry: Used for protection and to save her family
Her Home Life: Rahab was a well-known Canaanite woman, (a Gentile), who lived in the city of Jericho during the time of Israel's conquest of Canaan. She came from a large family but none of her relations lived in her home nor did she with them. Her sordid profession and reputation may have had a hand in keeping family members apart from one another. Some writers infer that she was also an Innkeeper. It was a common occupation for a woman, however in Rahab's situation (more than likely) not known to be reputable. Her home was situated on the wall of the city just west of the Jordan, so it was easy for people to come in and go out without a lot of attention. Another thought was that Rahab also manufactured linen. She had access to flax and various threads. Fausset, in the Bible Encyclopaedia and Dictionary, writes, "The flax she spread on her roof and the scarlet line made it likely she manufactured linen and dyed...implying a trade in such articles..."1
Her Status: Common Harlot (Hebrew - zoonah, Greek - porne) Sometimes this lifestyle begins first by a man's hunger to fulfill his lust and web of deceit. Once a woman is trapped in the web of the spider, she is swallowed up in the sin herself. However, the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 23:27) also speaks to the woman herself, who goes about enticing men.
Her Purpose: To become part of the noble lineage of Jesus Christ (only four women in the Bible received the honor to be listed). Rahab was the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth whose grandson was David. We follow the rest of the line in the first chapter of Matthew. Rahab was also added with Sarah as one of two women mentioned amongst several famous Old Testament men as a hero of faith.
Her Character Traits: wise, full of faith, shrewd, clever, caring, brave
Her Physical Attributes: unknown
Meaning of her name: Herbert Locklear of All the Women of the Bible wrote, "As an Amorite, Rahab belonged to an idolatrous people, and had a name meaning 'insolence,' 'fierceness,' or 'broad,' 'spaciousness.'"2
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