Joshua 2:1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

Joshua 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. (Joshua 2 explains much concerning Rahab and her family. Stalks of flax on the roof of the house give us a clue into what her true profession may have been. What was one of the uses of flax? See the next paragraph).

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (Rahab was another example of belief and trust in God exhibited by her actions, her faith [her works, her deeds; she demonstrated her faith]. She was justified because of what she did when she hid the 2 spies and sent them on their way safely down a different road. Joshua chapter 2).

(Flax. Flax was the most important plant fiber in Bible times because it was used to make linen. ... One of the common forms of retting is allowing the cut stalks of flax to remain in the dew until the fiber containing layers separate from the stem. We don’t know for sure, it is not written, but, this is probably why Rahab had bundles of flax on her roof. I choose to believe that Rahab was supporting herself and her family by using the flax on her roof to make linen; someone was using it, it very well could have been her).

Rachab’s or Rahab’s genealogy is important:

Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Matthew 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; (The word begat is used everywhere in this lineage).

Luke 3:31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,
Luke 3:32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, (Notice there are no begats anywhere in this lineage; a definite clue in my mind).

Rachab is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Rahab. Rachab/Rahab is in Christ’s genealogy through Joseph and Mary both; Salmon was her husband.

Matthew 1:1-16 contains the genealogy of Joseph, the husband of Mary, Jesus’ stepfather. This genealogy shows that Joseph is a descendant of King David through his son Solomon. Remember, Joseph is not the biological father of Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God conceived Jesus.

Luke 3:23-38 contains the genealogy of Mary through her father Heli. This genealogy shows that Christ is a direct descendant of King David through his son Nathan. (Some choose to believe that this is not the genealogy of Mary but is the genealogy of Joseph. How can Joseph have two fathers or two different lineages by two different fathers? I want to hear whatever explanation one may have about the genealogy in Luke 3; again notice the word “begat” is not in this genealogy).

Again, I want to emphasize that Rahab/Rachab is in the genealogy of Mary and Joseph. Study the genealogies of Mary and Joseph carefully and see for yourself; write them out if need be, make it easier for yourself. It appears to me that God thought Rahab was special enough to have her in the lineages of both Mary and Joseph. What say you?

Not my words concerning the lineage of Jesus, but I agree totally with the explanation that follows:

Clearly, Matthew 1 and Luke 3 offer different genealogies for Jesus. Only
when they arrive at King David do these two genealogies merge (Matt. 1:6;
Lk. 3:31).

Matthew 1:1-17 is the lineage of Joseph, through whom the kingly descent as
the "Son of David" was validated (Matt. 1:1). Luke 3:23-38 is a different
lineage - the fleshly lineage of Jesus through his mother, Mary. It records
the physical descent of Jesus from Mary, through David's son Nathan, and
finally through Adam (Lk. 23, 31, 38).

Luke 3:23 does not say that Heli is the father of Joseph. It says that
Jesus..."being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,......"
While it was assumed (from every outward appearance) that Jesus was the
fleshly son of Joseph, “Jesus” was in fact the descendant of Heli (due to being
born of a virgin, Lk. 1:30-35). Thus, Heli can only be the father of Mary,
Jesus's mother. (Jacob was the father of Joseph, Matt. 1:16).

Food for thought: I would like to make some statements and ask a question. Rahab is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She was living in her fathers house with many other family members. Do we know for sure that the word “harlot” as used in the KJV Bible, in reference to Rahab, actually means harlot (prostitute) in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek? Remember, our English Bible was translated from those original languages; mistakes were made in translating sometimes. Definitely something to research, pray about and contemplate on.

Back to the subject of Rahab/Rachab, regardless of what you choose to believe concerning Rahab, you can’t deny that she is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In any case, continue to study the Bible as completely as possible rightly dividing the word. Please print this out if that would help.

See this website: https://amazingbibletimeline.com/images/genealogyofjesuschrist_tree.pdf