Rahab (Hebrew: רָחָב, modern: Rakháv, Tiberian: Rāḥāḇ; Arabic: راهاب, Rāhāb) is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, known for her role in the Book of Joshua. She is identified as a zonah (זונה), a term often translated as "prostitute" in English, though its precise meaning is debated. Rahab is notable for her actions in sheltering the Israelite spies sent to Jericho by Joshua, prior to the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. In return for her protection of the spies, Rahab and her family were spared when Jericho was destroyed. This story is found in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6:22-25. Rahab's faith and actions are commended in the New Testament, particularly in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:31) and the Epistle of James (James 2:25), and she is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5), where she is identified as the mother of Boaz by Salmon. Her name is often translated in various languages, such as Spanish (Rahab), French (Rahab), German (Rahab), and Italian (Rahab).
Biblical figure
Rahab was a prostitute from Jericho during the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In the Book of Joshua of the Hebrew Bible, she is accredited with aiding the Israelites by hiding two spies who had been sent by Joshua to scout the city before the Israelite assault. Her actions led to the fall of Jericho, during which Israelite fighters killed every Canaanite inhabitant of the city.