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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 11:31 - 11:31
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The harlot Rahab (Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη)
See Joshua 2; Jos 6:17, and comp. Jam 2:25. Rahab's occupation is stated without mincing, and the lodging of the spies at her house was probably not a matter of accident. Very amusing are the efforts of some earlier expositors to evade the fact of a harlot's faith, by rendering πόρνη landlady.
Perished not with (οὐ συναπώλετο)
N.T.o. In lxx see Num 16:26; Psa 25:9; Psa 27:3.
Them that believed not (τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν)
Rend. “them that were disobedient.” Simple disbelief is expressed by ἀπιστεῖν, ἀπιστία: disbelief as it manifests itself in disobedience, by ἀπειθεῖν. Ἁπειθεῖν is ἀπιστεῖν on its active side. See on Joh 3:36, and comp. Heb 3:18; Heb 4:6, Heb 4:11; Rom 11:30, Rom 11:32, contrasting with Rom 11:20, Rom 11:23. Ἁπειθεῖν here describes the failure to be persuaded that God had given the land to the Israelites, and the consequent refusal to surrender Jericho. Rahab's faith is shown Jos 2:9-11.
When she had received the spies (δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους)
Rend. “having received.” For this sense of friendly reception as a guest see Luk 10:8, Luk 10:10. Κατάσκοπος a spy, N.T.o. lxx, Gen 42:9, Gen 42:11, Gen 42:14; 1Sa 26:4.
With peace (μετ' εἰρήνηνς)
The phrase only here and Act 15:33. Quite often in lxx, as Gen 15:15; Gen 26:29; Exo 18:23; Deu 20:20; Jdg 8:9. In N.T. ἐν εἰρήνῃ in peace (Act 16:36; Jam 2:16): εἰς εἰρήνην into peace (Mar 5:34; Luk 7:50; Luk 8:48); both these very often in lxx. Rahab received the spies without enmity, and did not allow them to suffer harm from others. An interesting parallel is furnished by Dante, Purg. ii. 99, in the case of the pilot-angel who conveys souls to the shore of Purgatory.
“He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken
Whoever wished to enter, with all peace” (without interposing any obstacle.)