The English word Rahab represents two different Hebrew words:
1. Joshua 2:1-21 6:17-25 . Her faith, in doing this, is commended in Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25 . The Jews and many Christians endeavor to show that Rahab was only an honest innkeeper; but more probably the designation of "harlot" given to her in our Bible is correct. If she had at some time led a dissolute life, she had evidently repented; and she afterwards became a worshipper of Jehovah, and the wife of Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah, Ruth 4:21 Matthew 1:4 .
The penitent publican and sinner are always welcome to Christ; and many such a one, through the renovating power of grace, will shine gloriously in heaven, while the unbelieving moralist will perish in his sins.
2. Psalm 87:4 89:10 Isaiah 30:7 51:9 . In the last of these passages, Egypt is further symbolized as a ferocious sea-monster; but it is doubtful whether the word Rahab itself is ever used to denote a sea-monster.