Rachab

Rachab is the Greek New Testament form of the Hebrew name Rahab, used in Matthew 1:5 in the genealogy of Jesus: Salmon begot Boaz by Rachab. This identifies the Rahab of the genealogy with the Rahab of Joshua 2 — the Canaanite woman of Jericho who sheltered the Israelite spies and was saved when Jericho fell. Her inclusion in Matthew's genealogy is theologically significant: she is one of four women (with Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba) mentioned in Jesus's lineage, all associated with irregularity or Gentile origin, anticipating the gospel's reach to all nations. Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 also commend Rahab's faith.