רָהַב
𐤓𐤄𐤁
râhab
H7292 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To act boisterously, arrogantly, or fiercely; to display insolence or proud confidence, sometimes with an aspect of storminess or tumult. The verb can also carry the ideas of acting boldly or forcefully, often in a negative sense such as presumption or defiance. In poetic contexts, it may be used to depict a tumultuous or proud force (as in references to mythic chaos or power).
Semantic Range
to act boisterously, to behave arrogantly or insolently, to display proud confidence, to storm (like turbulent waters), to act boldly or defiantly, to behave tumultuously
Root / Etymology
Root: רהב. The root conveys ideas of arrogance, pride, storminess, or boisterousness. From this root, רָהַב developed as a verb meaning to act in a manner characterized by overboldness or pride, frequently with an implication of stormy or tumultuous behavior. The noun form (רַהַב) is connected with concepts of pride and chaotic power (sometimes mythologized as a sea monster), but the verb itself is not limited to such mythic usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָהַב as a verb is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, found in poetic or wisdom literature. Its use encompasses both individual and collective actions that are characterized by arrogance or proud assertiveness. In some passages, it conveys the sense of defiance against authority, while in others it alludes to the overwhelming or surging qualities of stormy forces. English translations have struggled to capture the nuanced meaning, oscillating between terms like 'act arrogantly,' 'storm,' or 'behave defiantly.' The underlying idea often combines elements of insolence, bluster, and a kind of force that is hard to restrain. רָהַב is distinct from other roots expressing pride (e.g., גָּאָה, to be exalted) in that it often contains a harsh or tumultuous undertone, not merely elevation or greatness. Later usage and rabbinic literature often interpret רהב as symbolic of chaos or prideful opposition to the divine.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to urge severely, i.e. (figuratively) importune, embolden, capture, act insolently; overcome, behave self proudly, make sure, strengthen.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רהב (r-h-b) — arrogance, boisterousness, proud boldness, stormy force
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7293 | רַהַב | Arrogant Chaos-One |
| H7294 | רַהַב | Arrogant-One |
| H7295 | רָהָב | arrogant ones |
| H7296 | רֹהָב | and their stormy arrogance |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7292-04 |
יִרְהֲב֗וּ | yirehavu | HVqi3mp |
they-shall-behave-proudly | they will act arrogantly | 1 |
H7292-01 |
הִרְהִיבֻ֑/נִי | hirehivuni | HVhp3cp/Sp1cs |
have overcome me | they emboldened me | 1 |
H7292-03 |
וּ/רְהַ֥ב | urehav | HC/Vqv2ms |
and plead | and act arrogantly | 1 |
H7292-02 |
תַּרְהִבֵ֖/נִי | tarehiveni | HVhi2ms/Sp1cs |
you emboldened me | you make me act boldly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7292-04 |
Isaiah 3:5 | יִרְהֲב֗וּ | yirehavu | HVqi3mp |
they-shall-behave-proudly | they will act arrogantly |
H7292-02 |
Psalms 138:3 | תַּרְהִבֵ֖/נִי | tarehiveni | HVhi2ms/Sp1cs |
you emboldened me | you make me act boldly |
H7292-03 |
Proverbs 6:3 | וּ/רְהַ֥ב | urehav | HC/Vqv2ms |
and plead | and act arrogantly |
H7292-01 |
Song of Songs 6:5 | הִרְהִיבֻ֑/נִי | hirehivuni | HVhp3cp/Sp1cs |
have overcome me | they emboldened me |