Rahab

Holy Rahab, an inhabitant of Jericho in the time of Joshua son of Nun, is called in Scripture Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1 and 3; 6:16; Matthew 1:5; James 2:25; Hebrews 11:31). Some have sought to soften this name, calling her the keeper of an inn. Her name means broad, wide.

Rahab had heard of the Israelites and of the mercies the Lord had shown them, of their victories over the Amorite kings, Og and Sihon, and knew that Jericho would become theirs (Joshua 2:8-11). When two spies sent by Joshua to explore the Promised Land came to Jericho and spent the night in Rahab's house, the king of Jericho learned of their coming and sent to search for them. Rahab hid them on the roof of her house, under stalks of flax, then at a suitable time lowered them by a rope through a window, over the city wall to which her house was joined. Following her directions, the spies hid three days on a mountain and then, crossing the Jordan safely, returned to their camp.

Rahab and the spies made an agreement: she was to take a scarlet cord and tie it at the window, and when the city was destroyed her house and all in it would be spared (Joshua 2:17-23). The news received from Rahab moved Joshua to begin the siege of Jericho at once; when the city was taken and burned, Rahab and her family were spared, as the spies had promised (Joshua 6:17-25).

Afterward Rahab married the prince Salmon and entered the genealogy of King David and of the Saviour Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her faith is witnessed twice in the New Testament: in the catholic epistle of James (2:25) and in the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews (11:31), where it is said that by faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the unbelievers, having received the spies in peace.

St Rahab is commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, near 27 December, in the new style.