Rahab (term)

Rahab (Hebrew: רַהַב‎, Modern: Rahav, Tiberian: Rahaḇ, "blusterer") is used in the Hebrew Bible to indicate pride or arrogance, a mystical sea monster, as an emblematic or poetic name for Egypt,[1] and for the sea.[2]

This article is about the term Rahab. For disambiguation, see Rahab (disambiguation).

Rahab (Hebrew: רָחָב‎, Rachav, "spacious place") is also one of the Hebrew words for the Abyss.

Biblical usage

As primeval sea-monster
Further information: Leviathan

Rahab appears in Psalm 89:10, Isaiah 51:9-10, and Job 26:12. Rahab, in these passages, takes the meaning of primeval, chaotic, multi-headed sea-dragon or Leviathan.

Thou didst crush Rahab, as one that is slain; Thou didst scatter Thine enemies with the arm of Thy strength.

— Psalm 89:10[3]

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Art thou not it that hewed Rahab in pieces, that pierced the dragon?

— Isaiah 51:9-10[4]

He stirreth up the sea with His power, and by His understanding He smiteth through Rahab.

— Job 26:12[5]

The Babylonians told of a sky-god, Marduk, and a sea-goddess, Tiamat, battling for supreme power over the other gods, in the Enūma Eliš. It has been speculated these two characters in the Babylonian myth are parallel to the creation stories found in the biblical passages containing the name Rahab.[6]

As insolence or pride

In Isaiah 30:7, rahaḇ becomes a proverbial expression that gives an allusion to the Hebrew etymology insolence.[2]

For Egypt helpeth in vain, and to no purpose; therefore have I called her arrogancy that sitteth still.

— Isaiah 30:7[7]

In the Book of Job, rahaḇ occurs in the Hebrew text and is translated in the King James Version as "proud".[8]

If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

— Job, 9:13[9]

Egypt

Rahab is a poetical name for Egypt.[10] It might have Egyptian origins that were accommodated to the Hebrew language. However, there is nothing revealing in the Coptic language.[2]

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know Me; behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this one was born there.

— Psalms 87:4[11]

Jewish folklore

In medieval Jewish folklore, Rahab is a mythical sea monster, a dragon of the waters, the "demonic angel of the sea". Rahab represents the primordial abyss, the water-dragon of darkness and chaos, comparable to Leviathan and Tiamat. Rahab later became a particular demon, inhabitant of the sea, especially associated with the Red Sea.[12]

Modern culture

Rahab is the official Hebrew name for the planet Neptune in a vote organised by the Academy of the Hebrew Language in 2009.[13][14]

Several Israel Navy submarines also bear the name, including the fifth Dolphin class submarine, which officially entered service in January, 2016: The INS Rahav.[15]

In the video game Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the boss character Rahab is a vampire who has evolved into a marine fish-like creature, possibly a reference to the mythic sea monster.

See also

References
  1. "Strong's #7293 - רַהַב - Old Testament Hebrew Lexical Dictionary".
  2. Gesenius, Wilhelm; Robinson, Edward (trans.) (1844). A Hebrew and English lexicon of the Old Testament: including the Biblical Chaldee. Boston, MA: Crocker & Brewster. p. 976. LCCN 2006366085. OCLC 2805204.
  3. Psalm 89:10
  4. Isaiah 51:9–10
  5. Job 26:12
  6. Coogan, Michael D. (2014). The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 34–40. ISBN 978-0-19-994661-7.
  7. Isaiah 30:7
  8. Bible Lexicon
  9. Job 9:13
  10. "Strong's #7293 - רַהַב - Old Testament Hebrew Lexical Dictionary".
  11. Psalms 87:04
  12. Simon, Maurice (trans.); Slotik, Israel W. (trans.) (1935). "Folio 74b". In Epstein, Isidore (ed.). Baba Bathra: chapters I - VI; translated into English with notes, glossary and indices. London, England: Soncino Press. OCLC 34847398. From this it may be inferred that the name of the angel of the sea was Rahab. And had not the waters covered him no creature could have stood his [foul] odour
  13. "Uranus and Neptune get Hebrew names at last", Haaretz.com
  14. "Hebrew names to Uranus and Neptune", Hayadan.org.il
  15. "PM, president turn out to welcome Israel's newest submarine", TimesofIsrael.com
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