Was Rahab Really a Harlot?
Rahab was the heroine who assisted two Israelite spies to escape out the window and down the wall of Jericho, according to the Book of Joshua. But was she a prostitute or an innkeeper? And did she live on the city wall or in it? Archaeology may provide the answer at least to the latter question.
At Shiloh, we think we know.
In Joshua 2, we read:
15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
What does that mean? That Rahab actually lived in the wall or nearby?
Well, this picture I took at Tel Shiloh seems to provide an answer:
The wall, here 5 meters broad, was at some time emptied out of its fill and rooms were built into it. The same was probably done at Jericho.
Quite simple, actually.
^
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment