Rahab in the Bible: The Woman No One Expected God to Use
Who Was Rahab
The Bible does not give us many physical details about Rahab, but when I read her story, I often imagine her looking similar to what we typically think of when we picture a prostitute in the ancient world. She may have worn clothing that made her stand out in Jericho. She may have owned certain jewelry pieces or adornments that reflected her work. Scripture is simple and direct about her life. Rahab lived in Canaan, and she was a prostitute. Her home was built right into the wall of Jericho, which was a common placement for people who lived on the edges of society but still interacted with many travelers.
Rahab and the Hebrew Words Used for Harlot
There are two Hebrew words connected to harlots in the Old Testament.
One is the word zonah, which is used for a common prostitute who worked for financial reasons.
The other is qedeshah, which describes a temple prostitute connected to pagan worship practices.
In Joshua chapter 2, the word used for Rahab is zonah, which tells us she was not tied to religious prostitution. She was most likely providing for herself through this work. This was not unusual in the ancient world. Women who lacked protection or resources often survived in this way. Her story reminds us that some of the hardest circumstances people face today are not new at all.
The Religious World Around Rahab
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Rahab’s personal beliefs before she met the God of Israel, but we can imagine the world she lived in. The Canaanites worshipped many gods, including Baal, Asherah, and Molech. Their daily life often revolved around carved idols, shrines, and elaborate rituals. Some of their practices were dark and extreme, including:
- fertility rites
- pouring out offerings of food and wine
- and even human sacrifice
These were believed to bring favor or protection, and their religion shaped nearly every part of the culture around her.
Rahab lived in this kind of environment, full of fear and competing spiritual voices, yet she responded differently. When she heard about the God of Israel, something shifted in her. She came to believe that He was real, powerful, and active. That faith would change the course of her life and set the stage for her role in God’s story.
Rahab’s Bold Decision
Rahab’s story really starts when she began hearing the accounts of the God of Israel. He was very different from the many gods they worshipped and far mightier. She told the spies what she had heard:
“I know that the Lord has given this land into your hand, and that the terror of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.” (Joshua 2:9)
So when Joshua and Caleb came to her, she hid them, probably knowing the danger of having them in the city. Later, when the king found out they were there, she told him they had already left. I think about the courage it took to lie to the king. She must have really believed the stories she had heard about the God of Israel to take that risk.
Rahab’s Declaration of Faith
By the time Rahab met the Israelite spies, she had been hearing about the God of Israel for many years. This was about forty years after the Exodus, during the time of Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. We don’t know her exact age, but she had to be on the younger side. She had likely been hearing about God for most of her life, especially as the Israelites advanced. The miracles of God were not secret. They had been witnessed not just by the Israelites, but also by the nations around them. Rahab knew about the crossing of the Red Sea, when God parted the waters so His people could escape Pharaoh’s army:
“And the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left.” (Exodus 14:22, KJV)
She had also heard of the destruction of the nations that had occupied the land before Israel, nations that had fallen under God’s power:
“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.” (Joshua 2:10, KJV)
These events had been visible, undeniable, and unforgettable. It is remarkable that God used these mighty acts not only to establish His covenant with Israel, but also to reveal His power to those around them. Rahab’s faith was shaped by what she had seen and heard. She was convinced that this God was real, powerful, and active in the world. That belief led her to take the bold actions that would change her life forever.
Rahab’s Wisdom and Love
This part of the story really inspires me. Here is where Rahab in the Bible shows her wisdom and love. When the spies left, she understood the outcome of the city of Jericho and thought about her home, where her family lived. While helping them escape, she asked that they remember her kindness and in turn show the same kindness to her, not just to her, but to her family and all that belonged to them.
This moment is a powerful reminder of why we share the gospel and care for those we love. It is not enough just for ourselves. We want the people around us to experience redemption too, to be protected and preserved, and not be consumed on the Day of the Lord. Rahab’s actions show that faith and love extend beyond ourselves. They ripple outward to those we care about most.
The Scarlet Thread: A Sign of Faith and Obedience
One of the most striking parts of Rahab’s story is the scarlet thread she hung in her window. The spies had instructed her to do exactly as they said, and she obeyed. That thread became more than just a marker, it was an identifier, a visible sign that her home was to be spared. It was also a binder of an oath, a symbol that she and her family had acted in alignment with God’s plan.
Because Rahab followed these instructions faithfully, she and everyone in her household were saved when Jericho was destroyed. The scarlet thread reminds us that obedience, even in small acts, can have life-saving consequences. It shows how God can use simple, visible symbols to protect and preserve His people when they trust Him completely.
What Rahab Teaches Us Today
Faith Comes by Hearing
She heard about the God of Israel and she believed. She acted on that belief by welcoming the spies with peace. Her faith was not passive; it moved her to action. As Hebrews 11:31 reminds us:
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Hebrews 11:31, KJV)
Takeaway:
Pay attention to God’s Word and the stories of His power. Hearing is the first step toward believing.
Let your faith move you to action, even in risky or uncertain circumstances.
Faith Can Come to the Outcasts
Who she was might have seemed unredeemable, a Canaanite, a harlot. Yet faith can come to those who seem like outcasts or beyond hope. Rahab was not left out in the cold. She found a home among God’s people.
“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?” (Romans 11:24, KJV)
Takeaway:
- Rahab went from outsider to included. That is the power of God’s grace.
Faith can open a place in God’s family, even for those who seem unlikely.
Grafted Into God’s Covenant
Not only did she dwell among God’s people, but she became part of the genealogy of Jesus. A Gentile became part of the covenant line, showing that God’s redemption is wide enough to include anyone who believes. Rahab’s story reminds us that faith, obedience, and God’s grace can transform anyone, no matter their past or status.
“And Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;” (Matthew 1:5, KJV)
Takeaway:
God’s covenant and plan are far-reaching and shows he can change anyone.
Our faith and obedience can leave a lasting legacy beyond ourselves.
A Story of Faith and Grace
Rahab in the Bible shows us what faith looks like and how grace responds to faith. It is no surprise that she is listed in the Hall of Faith. I see myself in her story. No, I was never a prostitute, but like every one of us I was a wretched sinner who came to faith in Jesus Christ because I heard the wonderful news of the gospel. God showed me His grace and He changed me. I am no longer what I was. Rahab was no longer identified by her past either. In the genealogy of Jesus she is remembered as an ancestor of the Messiah, a woman with a new identity and a new story. Her life reminds us that faith welcomes the word of God, responds to it, and trusts the God who saves.
Hi, I’m Dana, the voice behind Exhortations for Today. I’m a grandmother called Nonna, a home cook, and an aspiring quilter. I believe in the power of God’s Word to recharge and renew the weary soul. Here, I share devotionals, Bible study tips, and reflections on living a faith-filled life. Want to learn more about my journey? Read more about me here.
