Rahab in the Bible — the Hebrew name and what it means
רָחָב
The innkeeper of Jericho whose faith and scarlet line brought her into the lineage of Messiah.
Also called
Rachav רָחָב — “broad, spacious” — the Targum renders her an innkeeper (pundekita), whose house on the wall received travellers
The moments that made Rahab
Josh 2:6She hides the spies among the flax
Josh 2:11“The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above”
Josh 2:21The scarlet line bound in the window
Josh 6:25Spared alive with all her father's household
Matt 1:5Named in the genealogy of Messiah
Heb 11:31By faith Rahab perished not with them that believed not
Jas 2:25Justified by works — she received the messengers
How often the name appears
Rahab is named 5 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and 3 times in the New Testament.
Every mention — Hebrew Scriptures
Josh 2:1Josh 2:3Josh 6:17Josh 6:23Josh 6:25
Every mention — New Testament
Matt 1:5Heb 11:31Jas 2:25