But we do know about the Canaanite woman who protected them, Rahav. She lived in the wall of יְרִיחוֹ (Yeriho, Jericho), and the two meraglim were at her house when the king heard there were spies in the city. The king’s soldiers questioned Rahav, and she lied to protect the spies. She hid them in the straw on her roof, and she told the soldiers that the meraglim had already left, sending the soldiers on a wild goose chase out of the city!

Rahav later explains that she believes in the God of Israel and the destiny of Benei Yisrael to enter the land. In return for saving the meraglim, she asks that they make sure she and her family are kept safe when Benei Yisrael eventually destroy Yeriho. They agree that she will hang a red rope outside her window when Benei Yisrael come, so Benei Yisrael will know which house to protect. Then she lets them down the wall through her window so they could escape.

Rahav survives the destruction of Yeriho, and afterwards joins Benei Yisrael. (According to the Gemara, Megillah 14b, she marries Yehoshua!) Yehoshua and his meraglim learned that, even among the enemy, there are still good people who follow God.

-------------------

-------------------