The story of Rahab the harlot takes up the bulk of chapter 2 of the Book of Joshua. In Scripture, “playing the harlot” is typically a stand-in for following after foreign gods. Her prevalence here can be understood as an invitation to biblical Israel not to commit “Scriptural harlotry.” She is the example for them to follow if they wish to ensure the Lord’s blessings in Canaan. The sinfulness of the nations is a given in Scripture, so Rahab’s harlotry is unexceptional. Israel, however, having received the grace of the Torah, prove by their behavior that they are no different from the nations.
This is what Scripture emphatically and consistently teaches. The most impressive indication of how Rahab functions as a character is found in her name, the Hebrew root of which means “width, breath, open area; wide large.” Join me in a discussion of Joshua 2:1-21.
References Judges
2:11-13
Joshua 1:8;
6:25Genesis
1:29-31;
6:15;
13:14-17; 19:2
Matthew 1:5
The Chrysostom Bible - Joshua: A Commentary by Paul Nadim Tarazi (OCABS, 2014).
“Bobbi Jo” performed by Prince.