RAHAB rā’ hăb (רָחָ֨ב, meaning storm, arrogance; Gr. Ραάβ, Ραχάβ [Matt 1:5]).

1. The person. Rahab was a harlot of Jericho, at whose house two spies stayed just prior to the conquest of Pal. by Joshua (Josh 2:1-21). Terrified by the approach of the Israelites, she made an agreement with the spies to protect them if they would guarantee the safety of her family and herself. She concealed them from the agents of the king of Jericho, and helped them to escape through her window on the city wall. At the fall of Jericho Joshua spared Rahab and her relatives (Josh 6:17, 22, 25).

According to the genealogy given by Matthew (Matt 1:5) she became the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz. The author of Hebrews cited her as an example of faith (Heb 11:31), and James refers to her demonstration of faith by good works (Jas 2:25).

2. A monster. In the poetical books of the OT the name is applied to a monster or demonic power. The allusions occur in the context of God’s power in nature: He overcomes Rahab in a contest of force (Job 9:13; 26:12; Ps 89:10; Isa 51:9). Each of these passages is connected with the creative act of God in restraining the sea, and as a demonstration of His supreme power. The episode was applied to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, when God opened the waters of the sea to provide a safe passage for His people (Isa 59:10).

3. A name for Egypt. Possibly because of the aforementioned association with the Exodus, Rahab became a symbolic name for Egypt. It is included in the list of hostile nations cited in Psalm 87:4, and is definitely connected with Egypt by Isaiah (30:7).