The Bible In Paintings, #57: RAHAB AND THE TWO SPIES

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Forgiven_Sinner]

The Bible doesn’t identify the spies by name. But I can’t help but feel one of them was Salmon, who married Rahab.

Matthew 1:4 Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Now Nahshon was a leader of Judah:

1 Chronicles 2:10 Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, leader of the children of Judah;

Salmon would be a prominent leader as the firstborn son of the leader. He would have to be confident of his position to marry Rahab, a Gentile prostitute. This is a real rags to riches story for Rahab, although she was likely wealthy as an innkeeper and prostitute, she probably didn’t take much out of Jericho with her.

Reading commentaries about Rahab, there is some debate over whether ‘prostitute’ was the correct translation, since innkeeper has the same constenants in Hebrew.

To understand the culture of the Canaanites, we need to know prostitution was a religious occupation where the young women would serve their gods as prostitutes in the temple.

If this indeed was her role, she may well have known how powerless her gods were and so she was impressed by God delivering Israel.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Interesting and plausible suggestions and conclusions—good contribution to the discussion, broadening our knowledge. On behalf of all of us: Thanks for your time and effort.

[Red Badger]

She had a room with a view........................

[Bob434]

Surprised Rembrandt didn’t do this subject