Joshua 2:1 calls Rahab a prostitute, but the footnote says "or possibly an innkeeper." This seems like a huge difference. Is there anything in the Hebrew that clarifies this --or is the confusion the reason for the footnote?—Nestor Rivera
It is the normal word for whore. This common word (zonah in the Hebrew) appears a number of times in the Old Testament. Since many inns in ancient times were brothels, some innkeepers were in fact prostitutes. I would not be surprised if she were both. Some Christians prefer the “innkeeper” version, since they are scandalized that God would choose a prostitute to work through or to be saved. (Does this sound familiar – Jesus' ministry in the New Testament?!)
