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Rahab: Hidden Scars
When Rahab’s face is scarred and her marriage prospects ruined, her father forces her into prostitution to recoup her lost bride price. With her new place of business near the main gate of Jericho, she is witness to the number of people who have entered the city to flee the approaching Israelites.
Despite Moses' assurance of Yahweh's mercy, Israel is a people always at war, with elders who die in the wasteland of the Sinai desert. And as the leader of the tribe of Judah, Salmon is at the fore, dispensing Yahweh’s justice.
While Salmon wishes to see Yahweh’s mercy, Rahab looks for salvation. Is either possible when the people of Israel are on a course to enact judgment and destruction across the land of Canaan? Or will the survival of a prostitute from the city of Jericho be the mercy Salmon has been searching for?
Despite Moses' assurance of Yahweh's mercy, Israel is a people always at war, with elders who die in the wasteland of the Sinai desert. And as the leader of the tribe of Judah, Salmon is at the fore, dispensing Yahweh’s justice.
While Salmon wishes to see Yahweh’s mercy, Rahab looks for salvation. Is either possible when the people of Israel are on a course to enact judgment and destruction across the land of Canaan? Or will the survival of a prostitute from the city of Jericho be the mercy Salmon has been searching for?
- GenresBiblical Fiction
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2023
2 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 13, 2023
Rebekah Gyger’s powerful epic of Rahab’s personal heartbreak and family woes will grab your heart and steal your breath. It’s a stunning debut from a well-traveled author and avid researcher. Gyger’s familiarity with the Middle East is evident in her expertly woven descriptions and cultural context.
When I read Rahab’s account in the Bible, I find many unanswered questions. Rahab begs the spies to save her family’s life, right? If she’s still in contact with family, why is she a prostitute? How did she acquire the valuable home in Jericho’s city wall? Why would Rahab betray the king’s soldiers at her door to hide enemy spies she’d likely just met that night? And why trust that Israel’s God would save HER?
Gyger explains all those queries with plausible and fascinating detail, giving names and exquisite personality to each of Rahab’s family and friends so her readers feel invested in the family Rahab wants to save. Her relationships in the Israelite camp after the conquest are equally believable, slow to develop, but true to Scripture’s victorious end.
So, why not give Hidden Scars another 1/2 star and make it an even 5? I save those 5-star reviews for absolutely exceptional works. Though this book rivals Tessa Afshar’s Pearl in the Sand as my favorite telling of Rahab’s story, Gyger’s writing will improve with future books. I can’t wait to read what comes next! I’ve definitely added Rebekah Gyger to my “must read” list of biblical novelists!
When I read Rahab’s account in the Bible, I find many unanswered questions. Rahab begs the spies to save her family’s life, right? If she’s still in contact with family, why is she a prostitute? How did she acquire the valuable home in Jericho’s city wall? Why would Rahab betray the king’s soldiers at her door to hide enemy spies she’d likely just met that night? And why trust that Israel’s God would save HER?
Gyger explains all those queries with plausible and fascinating detail, giving names and exquisite personality to each of Rahab’s family and friends so her readers feel invested in the family Rahab wants to save. Her relationships in the Israelite camp after the conquest are equally believable, slow to develop, but true to Scripture’s victorious end.
So, why not give Hidden Scars another 1/2 star and make it an even 5? I save those 5-star reviews for absolutely exceptional works. Though this book rivals Tessa Afshar’s Pearl in the Sand as my favorite telling of Rahab’s story, Gyger’s writing will improve with future books. I can’t wait to read what comes next! I’ve definitely added Rebekah Gyger to my “must read” list of biblical novelists!
May 18, 2023
This debut novel from Rebekah Gyger provides a very human, and very thought provoking, look at one of the most interesting stories of the Old Testament. Well researched and providing ample details that bring color to this unique time in history, Rahab : Hidden Scars is a compelling look at forgiveness, redemption, and our conceptions of justice versus mercy.
March 24, 2023
Watch out biblical fiction fans, there is a new author in town. Robekah Gyger has done a beautiful job writing her debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what she brings to readers in the future! Her creativity, research, and biblical knowledge shines in her debut novel. And yes, she does take liberties with things – that’s the wonderful thing about biblical fiction. It’s fiction! It’s not meant to be fact, it’s meant to imagine the rest of the story that the bible doesn’t tell us. It’s meant to have us reaching for our bibles to find out what God says about the story. And Gyger does just that.
The way Gyger tells Rahab’s story was simply fascinating. Honestly, I had never given much thought to how Rahab ended up in the position that she did, but Gyger’s take on it made sense, and was very believable. And I appreciated the look into her thoughts throughout the story. They made me stop and really think about Rahab and what couldn’t have really been the reason behind her circumstances. And I did read her story in the bible afterwards to compare. The truth is, we don’t know a lot about her – and I appreciated the way Gyger brought her to life.
I also enjoyed reading Salmon’s chapters. It provided an interesting point of view of being an Israelite back in that time. Sure, we all know the story of the Battle of Jericho, but do we ever stop and think about the individual people involved in it, and what it was like for them? I know I don’t as often as I should, and Gyger really made them come alive. I appreciated that about her writing.
Biblical fiction fans will enjoy this debut novel by Rebekah Gyger. I’m excited to see how her writing grows in the future and what stories she’ll bring us next. I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The way Gyger tells Rahab’s story was simply fascinating. Honestly, I had never given much thought to how Rahab ended up in the position that she did, but Gyger’s take on it made sense, and was very believable. And I appreciated the look into her thoughts throughout the story. They made me stop and really think about Rahab and what couldn’t have really been the reason behind her circumstances. And I did read her story in the bible afterwards to compare. The truth is, we don’t know a lot about her – and I appreciated the way Gyger brought her to life.
I also enjoyed reading Salmon’s chapters. It provided an interesting point of view of being an Israelite back in that time. Sure, we all know the story of the Battle of Jericho, but do we ever stop and think about the individual people involved in it, and what it was like for them? I know I don’t as often as I should, and Gyger really made them come alive. I appreciated that about her writing.
Biblical fiction fans will enjoy this debut novel by Rebekah Gyger. I’m excited to see how her writing grows in the future and what stories she’ll bring us next. I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 21, 2023
Just finished reading Rahab: Hidden Scars. I have received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review - but I can't leave any other kind!
I was lost in the story after just a few pages and read it through in seven and a half hours - beginning it at home and continuing to read through even after getting to work this evening.
I have never read anything written by Rebekah Gyger before this book, but I will be reading any future books that she releases :) The characters - most of whom are real people who actually lived - were easy to relate to and I found the book to be very "smooth" in its delivery. I could easily see the scenes described in the story. The only instance that caught me a little off-guard was when I came across the term, "face-planted," my immediate thought was, "wait - that's not in the Bible ..." But it didn't throw me off the story at all :)
Rahab: Hidden Scars is a great novel for anyone who enjoys biblical fiction and Rebekah's writing style fits in well with the likes of Mesu Andrews, Angela Hunt and Jill Eileen Smith. Highly Recommended!
I was lost in the story after just a few pages and read it through in seven and a half hours - beginning it at home and continuing to read through even after getting to work this evening.
I have never read anything written by Rebekah Gyger before this book, but I will be reading any future books that she releases :) The characters - most of whom are real people who actually lived - were easy to relate to and I found the book to be very "smooth" in its delivery. I could easily see the scenes described in the story. The only instance that caught me a little off-guard was when I came across the term, "face-planted," my immediate thought was, "wait - that's not in the Bible ..." But it didn't throw me off the story at all :)
Rahab: Hidden Scars is a great novel for anyone who enjoys biblical fiction and Rebekah's writing style fits in well with the likes of Mesu Andrews, Angela Hunt and Jill Eileen Smith. Highly Recommended!
September 21, 2023
Good read but missing a great ending
This was a good book but the ending left out the most important part of this story. Where was the Epilogue? Where did the lives of Salmon and Rahab go from here? What did God have in store for their future in the lineage of Christ? Nothing. No mention of any of this. I was left empty. A new Christian, a non- believer who may have stumbled upon this book would have missed out on the biggest blessing of knowing who was to be born in their future. Again, I love reading anything that has to do with Rahab. God’s redeeming love, His Grace and Mercy poured down on her. But if a book is to be written it cannot leave out some of the sweetest words God put in her life. The words of children being born leading up to a Savior.
This was a good book but the ending left out the most important part of this story. Where was the Epilogue? Where did the lives of Salmon and Rahab go from here? What did God have in store for their future in the lineage of Christ? Nothing. No mention of any of this. I was left empty. A new Christian, a non- believer who may have stumbled upon this book would have missed out on the biggest blessing of knowing who was to be born in their future. Again, I love reading anything that has to do with Rahab. God’s redeeming love, His Grace and Mercy poured down on her. But if a book is to be written it cannot leave out some of the sweetest words God put in her life. The words of children being born leading up to a Savior.
January 1, 2024
Very well written book on a difficult subject, both from Rahab's side of being a prostitute and the Israelites side of being the conquerors. Rahab's journey into prostitution was believable and her character handled sympathetically. Salmon's doubts about what God was telling Israel to do in destroying the people of Canaan was also realistic.
I agree with another reviewer that the story seemed to end abruptly and would have liked one more chapter or an epilogue that wrapped everything up, including the birth Boaz. Perhaps she'll write a sequel and continue on to Ruth and Boaz. I would definitely buy it!
I agree with another reviewer that the story seemed to end abruptly and would have liked one more chapter or an epilogue that wrapped everything up, including the birth Boaz. Perhaps she'll write a sequel and continue on to Ruth and Boaz. I would definitely buy it!
March 31, 2023
I'm always on the hunt for new biblical fiction authors. I'm so pleased to have found Rebekah Gryger's debut! Fans of Tessa Afshar will find a new author to cherish. Although the story is a familiar and beloved one to biblical fiction fans, Rebekah puts plenty of special twists and turns in it! I can't wait to read more from this author. A heart-rendering portrayal of one woman's redemption and finding her true home.
March 9, 2023
Very good book, gives some light to what the nation of Jericho was like before the Isrealites conquered it. I like that the author personified Rahab and her family. It is an enjoyable read.
I have received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I have received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review.
February 15, 2024
A well done fictional interpretation of the story of Rahab. The author even shows how some of the Israelites could have struggled with Gods command to kill. Her explanation into writing this story brought me to realization that the Old Testament shows God’s wrath well the New Testament shows his love.
March 9, 2023
What a powerful story of God's unfailing love and forgiveness. I was swept away right away starting with the first page. Definitely another wonderful story of Rahab. Highly recommend.
June 21, 2023
This is a new author, and this was a great start. I look forward to more books from her.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews