James 2:25 → Joshua 2

James cites Rahab the prostitute as his second example of faith demonstrated through works: "In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?" (2:25). This alludes to the narrative of Joshua 2, where Rahab hid the Israelite spies, confessed faith in YHWH (Josh 2:9-11), and was spared when Jericho fell. James pairs Rahab with Abraham as complementary examples: Abraham was the patriarch of Israel, Rahab a Gentile prostitute — yet both demonstrated genuine faith through decisive action. The analogy reinforces James's thesis that faith without works is dead (2:26). Rahab's inclusion alongside Abraham also anticipates the Gentile inclusion theme — a pagan woman's active faith placed her in the covenant community and in the messianic genealogy (Matt 1:5).