Introduction to the Interpretation of Rahab

Rahab's story begins in Joshua 2 when Joshua sends spies to the land of Jericho. These spies stay the night at a prostitute’s house who is named Rahab. The King of Jericho orders Rahab to reveal the men who entered her house. Rahab hides the spies on her roof and tells the King she does not know where the men went. After the men leave, she makes a deal with the spies. Since Rahab protected the spies, she requests that they “deal kindly with her family” (Joshua 2). The spies agree to only if she puts a crimson cord on her window on the day of the invasion to distinguish her house from the others and if she promises not to tell anyone about them. On the day of the invasion, Rahab and her family are safe while the rest of Jericho is destroyed.

Rahab's willingness to help the spies is confusing for some because she was a Canaanite and a prostitute. During this time period, these characteristics were not favorable. Her story is significant in that Rahab became one of the first converts, and explains how God can save the worst of sinners. Rahab's slate was wiped clean in God's eyes, resulting in Rahab becoming worthy of being a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

"And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse," (Matthew 1:5)

The interpretation of Rahab has remained relatively stable over the years. Earlier interpretations viewed her positively and referred to her as a "heroine" because of her action of saving the spies. Rahab took on a big risk by lying to the king and choosing to protect the spies. Around the 1850's, the views of Rahab switched. She was viewed negatively because of her role as a prostitute. Although prostitution was legal in most countries, it was looked down upon by the majority of people. Following the Industrial Revolution, women were expected to work inside the home and to serve their husband. Rahab was going against the norm during this time. After the 1950's, Rahab was viewed as someone to look up to because of her religious conversion. Her sins were wiped away after she repented to God. Today, she is looked up to by most people because of her strong faith in God. People today are more forgiving and accepting of a person's character. The views on sin have also changed. It is common for everyone to sin, and everyone knows that people sin. This view makes sinning less detrimental to the person's role in society and how they are perceived.