2:15], by merit of which You saved many souls for her, as it is said[Josh. They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. She married Salmon of the Tribe of Judah and was the mother of Boaz. Your labor of love for us is definitely not in vain. I see that it is really difficulty to understand God s mind. ?I am really happy this afternoon because your message has been blessed me thanks. Paul is actually referring to those in the church that are unrepentant and misbehaving. James 2:17 Weymouth New Testament. Before Boaz and RuthSalmon and Rahab? - ArmstrongInstitute.org In this case the consonants that are claimed znh are english letters that are probably not even in the original Hebrew making this claim even more dubious (the Zhn being from the Hebrew translation). All that was hers ( ) ostensibly a synonym for her family and a phrase Rahab used about her familys family in 2:13. So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. The Rabbis deduced from the story of Rahab the superiority of repentance over prayer, for Moses prayed exceedingly, but God did not accept his entreaty to enterThe Land of IsraelErez Israel, while the repentance of Rahab the harlot was accepted, and seven kings and eight prophets issued forth from her (Lit. But it is not so. [2] In the New Testament, she is lauded both as an example of a saint who lived by faith,[3] and as someone "considered righteous" for her works. She is also the last person mentioned in any detail. Sometimes the older English translations are foreign to us. So by her faith in Messiah, Rahab was redeemed from the curse of the Canaanites and the curse of sin. There would be nothing else left, and He was adamant about it. He is WITH you and in the end, isnt that all that really matters? Rahab's name is presumably the shortened form of a sentence name rb-N, "the god N has opened/widened (the womb?)". "Rahab: Midrash and Aggadah." What we cant question, though, is that the Rahab in the book of Joshua is definitely the same mentioned in the gallery of faith in Hebrews 11, therefore, I think this article adds positively to the understanding of Gods love and how He operates. You can read about Rahab in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6 .. She said to them, Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. The Eastern Church (Christian) Ethiopian tradition (Book of Adam and Eve 13:3) also argues against this, listing Salmon's wife as Saphila, the daughter of Aminadab - i.e. "scroll." Most modern versions render it as Rahab ignoring the distinction. The conversion of Rahab is regarded by the Rabbis as more complete than that of Jethro and Naaman; for while the latter two did not free themselves entirely from a belief in other gods, Rahab acknowledged that Yhwh was the only God both in heaven and on earth (Mek., l.c. Every single client who ever lay with her was killed in one day, in essence Rahabs body count was wiped clean. Among her articles are Three Oppressors and Four Saviors The Three-Four Pattern and the List of Saviors in I Sam 12,9-11, ZAW 127 (2015), 294-303, and Swords that are Ploughshares: Another Case of (Bilingual) Wordplay in Biblical Prophecy?, Biblica 98.3 (2017), 425-434. Possibly we do not know. Rahab: The Biblical Prostitute in the 'Faith Hall of Fame' - People | HowStuffWorks - SoundOfTexk, Rahab: Hure und Held des Alten Testaments - TUNLOG, http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200274756, http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003623, http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Rahab&p=par, Lavish New Kingdom Tomb Uncovered at Saqqara. Think about that. You wouldn't think she would have much chance of making the list, but there she is. l5a; Ta'an . Mother of Boaz . Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: and that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Matthew calls her Rahab, mother of Boaz. The Rabbis apply to Jeremiah, who was descended from Rahab, the proverb: "The son of the corrupted one who mended her ways will come and reproach the son of the fit one who had gone astray"the son of Rahab, who was a prostitute who had mended her ways, shall rebuke the Israelites, of proper lineage, who had degenerated ( Pesikta de-Rav Kahana, An additional midrashic teaching lists a number of converts who became part of the families of Israelite leaders, for example: Joseph marriedAsenath, Joshua married Rahab, Boaz marriedRuth, and Moses took the daughter of Hobab (= Jethro)(Eccl. And for the Jewish nation, Rahab came to serve as a successful gentile conversion to Judaism. Required fields are marked *. Rahab is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and her story is an example of God's grace and redemption. [18] As the first non-Israelite person, and in particular the first Canaanite woman, to ally with Israel, Rahab's convictions led her to protect the men sent by Joshua despite her background. At the conquest of that city by the Israelites, Rahab became a sincere proselyte to the cult of Yhwh. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. The theme in this article aligns with the parable of the Prodigal Son used by Jesus himself. He has used many different people of different back grounds . It is written of Rahab(Josh. "The Choice to Serve God and Assist His People: Rahab and Yael". 6:25) that she dwelt among the Israelitesup to this day. Although Rahab was from the peoples of the land and the families of the earth, she saved the spies out of love of Israel and its God, and God rewarded her out of love (and protected her and her family from death) (Sifrei Zuta, Behaalotekha10:29). Also, there is a human factor of adding and deleting and changing words, phrases and stories. Could she have been the madam of the whorehouse? Who was Rahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Ruth's son, Boaz, was the father of Ruth's children. I promise thee, therefore, that one of thy descendants [referring to Ezekiel] shall see what no prophet before him shall have seen" (comp. He is an awesome God. The Scarlet Cord: Rahab's Bible Story & Our Story. God redefined Rahab from a fallen woman to a chosen woman, from a bad girl to a bride, from a mess to a mother and from prostitute to progenitor of the Messiah. The Rabbis apply to Jeremiah, who was descended from Rahab, the proverb: The son of the corrupted one who mended her ways will come and reproach the son of the fit one who had gone astraythe son of Rahab, who was a prostitute who had mended her ways, shall rebuke the Israelites, of proper lineage, who had degenerated (Pesikta de-Rav Kahana, op cit., 13:4). Ultimately, Rahab married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. Besides, among the Canaanites harlotry was not a business of ill repute. News of their earlier victories spread quickly, and people from all around would have sought protection within Jerichos mighty walls. I read the Bible for the stories. Believe in the gospel. Another midrash has Rahab acting as advocate for all the nations of the world. Rahab undoubtedly stands for Egypt, but the exact origin of the term and of its connection with Egypt is much disputed. 10). The letter read: 2 "You are in charge of the king's descendants, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, weapons, and fortified cities. Thank You Wendy. But is there > any trace of this tradition . After reading the first five books of the Bible, the last thing you would have expected was for God to go out of His way to save a pagan prostitute in a city that was about to be utterly destroyed because of sin. Yeah I agree with you. The ancient rabbis regarded Rahab as one of the most beautiful women in Jewish history. It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. 22-23, 25). So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Spiritually, Physically, and Materially! The fourth negative item refers to her as a resident of Jericho, whose people were fated to extinction, as it was said of them: You must proscribe them(Deut. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Rahab lied to the king and told him that they had left earlier before the gates closed for the night. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Something went wrong while submitting the form. She had heard enough to make her put her trust in the living God, and she made a life changing profession of faith when she said, the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. She then makes the spies swear to spare her and her whole family because of her protection and kindness. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. Great read..I sought out intel on Rahab for a reason, curious about a prostitute being allowed to be in the genealogy of Christ.and renowned and well spoken of. According to Him, having faith without corresponding actions is not pleasing. Rahab (noise, tumult, arrogance), is a mythical sea monster, a dragon of the deep waters. The only thing God allowed to leave was the gold, silver, bronze, iron (for Him), and, Rahab and her family. 2:16): Make for the hills, so that the pursuers may not come upon you. I meant Well done, Evelyn, not When done ! Noth, Martin, "Israelitischer Personennamen im Rahmen der gemeinsemitischen Namengebung", Beitrage zur Wissenschaft vom Alten und Neuen Testaments III,10, 193. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). [6] However, there was a separate word, qd, that could be used to designate prostitutes of the cultic variety. Phinehas told her: I am a priest, and priests are like the angels. 2:13): that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, and of Israel(Ezek. But the meaning of the Hebrew word zanah is to commit fornication to be or play the harlot but the NT writer of Hebrews describes her as porne which means a woman who sells her body for sex. That pretty much seals it. In Psalm 87:4 Rahab is the name of a city; also in Psalm 89:10 and in Isaiah 51:9. God continues to increase me through each and every teaching and lesson you provide. Who was Rahab in the Bible? More grace in Jesus name. Some may discount this interpretation, but the fact that you had such a question points to the reality of my answerGod made women to be wives and mothers. Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, Go into the harlots house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her. So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel. Joshua sent the spies in, and they ended up at Rahabs place. So, I would not be surprised if in all those references it was the same Rahab. Our responsibility as Believers is to Restore people not reject them, or put our hands against them in any way unless they are folded in prayers for them . Let that sink in. I personally eat with them but I try not to enter too deeply into a common bond or camaraderie with them. E. G. H. M. Sel. Even worse news for the men they have been with if she is chosen to have a clean start . Dr. Shira Golani teaches at the Department of Biblical Studies at Gordon Academic College (Haifa) and is a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University Bible Project (Jerusalem). So they are actions that correspond with what you say you believe for. In the Book of Joshua, Rahab (a heroine nonetheless known as "Rahab the Harlot") assisted two Israelite spies in escaping out a window and down the city wall of Jericho. It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 22:7): Fathers and mothers have been humiliated within you; it is written of Rahab(Josh. God is full of mercy and full of justice as well. It has been long since I last came here But I am glad I did. [12] I wish to thank the editors for their outstanding contribution and assistance. There was not a prince nor a ruler that had not had relations with her; and she was therefore well informed of what was going on outside Jericho (Mek., Yitro, 'Amalek, 1; Zeb. It is claimed that there was not a single idolatry in all the world that Jethro did not worship, and therefore when he converted, he spoke from experience when he said(Ex. What we think has no bearing on what God Knows. This acknowledgment of Rahab called forth the admiration of God Himself, who said: "On earth thou couldest see with thine eyes that there is no other God besides Me; but to acknowledge also that I am the only God in heaven needs special faith. [6] In rabbinic texts, however, she is explained as being an "innkeeper," based on the Aramaic Targum: . // Javascript URL redirection Did you know that Rahab is one of the most celebrated women in the Bible? Rahab the Harlot? - Biblical Archaeology Society For a discussion of the Rabbinic tradition as a possible anti-Christian polemic, see Zev I. Farber,Images of Joshua in the Bible and their Reception(BZAW 457; Berlin: De Gruyter, 2016), 436-438. Indeed, GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!!!!! As her reward, her daughters marriedkohanim, the sons born to them served at the altar, and they entered the Temple and blessed Israel with the Tetragrammaton. Also, what I always had problems with understanding is that Jesus was suppose to have the human experiences in life. Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz. So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it so long as it stands alone. (Babylonian Talmud, Zevahim 116ab). Thats it Maam. The men said to her, We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your fathers household. You will lack what you wasted. God hates sin, but he loves people. 18:11): Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods. Naaman made an even greater admission when he proclaimed(II Kings 5:15): Now I know that there is no God in the whole world except in Israel!; and Rahab exceeded him, when she declared(Josh. Here is one other reason: when she asked the two Israelite spys to promess her that her family would not be hurt in any case. Rahab (or Rachab) the wife of Salmon, is mentioned in the genealogy in Matthew 1:5. According to this outlook, the Israelites acted improperly when they saved Rahab and her family; they rather should have proscribed them, along with the other inhabitants of Jericho. An angel can be visible to people, or unseen by them, as he wishes, therefore I do not need you to conceal me. The mention of Rahab in Jas. The Woman at the well The Rabbis describe how Rahab was ten years old at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. In our daily dealing with human beings, we must not right off anybody, because the very person that is tagged dirty or alien can turn out to be the medium by which our future can be secured. Christian Standard Bible, This faith is the divinely inspired sanction of God for a specific purpose or thing, but it must be acted upon for it to come alive. The spies make it back to camp and relate the whole adventure to Joshua. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. When Rahab heard of the miracles that God had performed for Israel when He parted the Red Sea for them, she wanted to cleave to Israel, as portrayed inJer. The Spies Agree to Save Rahab's Family In preparation for the conquest of Jericho, the first city to be taken after the Israelites cross the Jordan River, Joshua sends two spies, who arrive at the house of Rahab, a harlot, in Jericho. I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. Amongst such people, the life of Rahab shines forth to teach us many lessons and predominantly on faith and . But the spies were safe, for she had hid them on the roof under wet and smelly piles of rotting flax. EightPriests; descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses, who were given the right and obligation to perform the Temple services.kohanim who were also prophets were descended from her: Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Seraiah, Mahseiah, Baruch, Neriah, Hanamel and Shalom. Having arrived at Jericho, the two spies remained at Rahab's house, situated in the wall of the city and having a window on the outside (Josh. especially in family relations. 20:17]: You must proscribe them, but you did not do so. The period of the judges was the interval between the and it lasted about 400 years. Obed was the father of Jesse Matthew 1:5. Further information that might be interesting. Designation of the five scrolls of the Bible (Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther). She was ten years old when the Israelites came out of Egypt, and she pursued her immoral calling during the forty years that the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. It would be obvious that a family , if its well grown, wouldnt have a harlot among its members. In the Babylonian Talmud, Rahab was so beautiful that the very mention of her name could cause arousal (Megillah 15a). It is not always easy to find the exact translations for certain words or phrases. Anything else is secondary. You might think from her profession that she was destined to die an early death, to fade away into shame, the disgraced woman . She wisely tells them to go out and stay toward the west of the city, in the opposite direction of their camp so they can hide in the hill country. 116b). Would I be able to purchase a copy of this article ? **Jesus was betrothedto the church, with a wedding supper promised at the end after He comes to claim His bride. I have sinned with three things [with my eye, my thigh, and my stomach]. It describes their strengths and weaknesses, their triumphs and disasters. Who are the descendants of Rahab? Jacobs Descendants Who Go to Egypt: MT Versus LXX, Judaisms First Converts: A Pagan Priest and a Prostitute,. According to one opinion, the prophetHuldahwas also among her offspring (Sifreion Numbers, chap. Rahab - Her Life & Story in the Bible - Crosswalk.com "scroll." [6] Shmuel Aituv,Joshua(Mikra LeYisrael; Tel Aviv: Am Oved and Jerusalem: Magnes, 1995), 116 [Hebrew]. The third thing to her discredit was her living in the land of Canaan, whose inhabitants were known to be harsh and evil. The attached is my finding:http://gracefullyaged.com/2018/12/10/rahab-the-harlot-is-not-in-the-generation-of-jesus-christ/, I love this. The kings men believed Rahab, and they went off searching for them. Its so amazing and quite interesting that the the two great grandmothers of Jesus Christ ( Rehab and Ruth) came from a condemned nations. The what do I do then or shall I say now is a new experience every time. God bless you, The genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ brings out soul searching questions about the mind of Jehovah God. Rahab was also a Canaanite-who were the hated enemies of Israel. 38:1113). The spies stayed in Rahab's house, which was built into the city wall. Being part of the . 15-21). Thank You again. Because Rahab was not afraid of the Israelites when they came to raze Jericho, the Rabbis applied to herProv. When scripture mentions Rahab, she's almost always called Rahab the harlot except in Matthew's genealogy. Rahab lowers the spies from her house in Jericho's walls (Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860 woodcut). Consequently,Josh. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. Learn how your comment data is processed. Cudi I just read your comment on the Rahab article by Rex Rouis. 15a). Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. A different spelling of the name, Rachab (as transliterated in the King James translation of the Greek ) is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as one of the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Faith is the basis for all we receive from God, The Birth of Jesus The Full Nativity Story, http://gracefullyaged.com/2018/12/10/rahab-the-harlot-is-not-in-the-generation-of-jesus-christ/. Peter wrote: > For according to the tradition preserved in the New Testament in > Matthew 1:5, Rahab was the wife of Salmon and mother of Boaz who > married Ruth (compare Ruth 4:21, 1 Chronicles 2:11). Despite all this, it was stated(Josh. 11:31, shows that her fame had risen at the time when St. Matthew wrote. The Scroll of Esther is read on Purim from a parchment scroll.Megillah 15a). He also knows how to hold immoral people for punishment on the day of judgment. Consider Dinah, her brothers essentially saved her purity by whacking the kid that raped her. In James, she is shown as an example of someone justified by God and declared righteous for putting their faith into action. A Canaanite woman living in Jericho, Rahab is a prostitute who is also a biblical heroine. Rahab: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive 2:15): She let them down by a rope through the window, and you, too, shall be saved by a rope(Jer. Great reminder. Stay there in hiding three days. The midrash adds that the Divine Presence rested upon her until the Israelites entered Jericho, for she knew that they would return after three days(Ruth Rabbah2:1). Executive Committee of the Editorial Board. [11] Thomas Dozeman also suggests that the singularketivmay simply be a textual corruption. Most probably it is a term (possibly Coptic) for some large sea or river monster symbolic of Egypt. It was a month after Moses ' death, and the Jews prepared themselves for the invasion of Canaan. This negative attitude toward converts was apparently prevalent among the people, too, a prejudice that was opposed by the following midrash. A Canaanite woman living in Jericho, Rahab is a prostitute who is also a biblical heroine. It does make sense that Rahab wasnt a harlot,, but a inn-keeper. 2:25, Heb. God knows our hearts. Rahab (/rehb/;[1] Hebrew: .mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey Frank CLM","Frank Ruehl CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans}, Modern:Raav, Tiberian:R, "broad", "large", Arabic: , a vast space of a land) was, according to the Book of Joshua, a Gentile woman who lived in Jericho in the Promised Land and assisted the Israelites in capturing the city by hiding two men who had been sent to scout the city prior to their attack. Dont waste because, otherwise you will be in want. Thanks again. Who Was Rahab in the Bible? - Megan Allen Ministries The discussion above offers an explanation as to how such a corruption could have occurred. It also goes to show that we can not go on condemning people for their evil acts but to pray for them. It was the time of the barley harvest, and flax and barley are ripe at the same time in the Jordan valley, so that "the bundles of flax stalks might have been expected to be drying just then". 10 There were seventy descendants of King Ahab living in the city of Samaria. Yes. He still brought me through those tough consequences and I often see the blessings that were still able to come out of those situations. God had plans for Rahab from before the beginning of time. But if we get to decide which rules we like, that makes us the rule-makers, or in other words, puts us in the place of God. I remember I heard Pastor Webb say it like this, those works are more like -corresponding actions. The Rabbis sing paeans of praise ofRahabfor her beauty and wisdom. [9] This etiological meaning of Rahabs story, that is, its referencing the origin of individuals considered to go back to Rahab in Israelite society, was noticed already by Abravanel (his commentary of Joshua 6:23). Psalm 87:4 "I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me I love studying individuals in the Bible, especially those that are included in the genealogy of Christ. I agree with all of them. What is the lineage of Rahab in the Bible? - Wise-Answer Rahab: "Good girls, bad girls: the enduring lessons of twelve women of the Old Testament"By T. J. Wray Go to Page 43 to read about Rahab, "The Heroic Prostitute with a Heart of Gold". By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Hooker with a heart of gold Rahab (term) References [ edit] The Shepard led the sheep to the proper places to graze and safe places to drink from, (because running waters would drown the sheep). Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, Biblical Women in World and Hebrew Literature, Hebrew Women in Egypt: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. 6:25]: Only Rahab the harlot and her fathers family were spared by Joshua, along with all that belonged to her. Even if there were two hundred people in her family, and they went and adhered to two hundred additional families, they were saved by her merit. Kadari, Tamar. Joshua 6:22 25. It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. What He does is always right and can not be questioned. In this case the > line of Rahab's descendants, which may be referred to in Joshua 6:25, > is none other than the royal line of the house of David. The Story of Rahab in the Bible - Kingdom Bloggers For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. >>In James, she is an example of someone justified by God and declared righteous for putting their faith into action. The soldiers sent to capture the spies asked Rahab to bring out the spies. Taking consonants from a word to change the meaning of a word is not recommended. In some situations God went beyond my expectations. What it means to me is I shall not want anything in other words you have now if you believe everything you need now. 2:4reports: The woman, however, had taken the two men and hidden him [va-tizpenoin the singular], since she concealed only Caleb (Num. ' John 8:31-32. David - King David probably one of the best-known kings of Israel is a descendent of Rahab in the Bible. I surely appreciate you being a part of my life on a daily blessings. Continue with Recommended Cookies. As for me, I think I have reacted in every you listed with what do I do then. Anyone who mentioned her name, saying, Rahab, Rahab, immediately lusted after her. That is quite a large part of an adults life. 1:5): And those who bow down on the roofs to the host of heaven (Pesikta de-Rav Kahanaloc. God bless you. Lit. 2:11): for the Lord your God is the only God in heaven above and on earth below (Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmaelloc. Nahmanides (Ramban) points out that when the angels tell Lot to gather everyone else he has, they mention sons-in-law, sons, and daughters (Gen 19:12), but Lot had no sons. What is the source for Rahab's husband in Matthew 1?