רַהַב
𐤓𐤄𐤁
Rahav
H7293 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun used as a poetic name for a mythological sea-monster or chaos creature, often representing disorder or powers opposing Yhwh; also figuratively applied to Egypt as an arrogant, boastful power. The word carries connotations of insolence, arrogance, tumult, and forceful pride. In specific contexts it denotes a person or entity characterized by excessive pride or bluster, or an embodiment of chaos subdued by divine power.
Semantic Range
(1) mythological sea-monster or chaos entity, (2) personification of arrogance or pride, (3) poetic designation for Egypt (as an arrogant, opposing power), (4) abstractly, boastfulness or bluster
Root / Etymology
From the root רהב (ע root: ר-ו-ה-ב), meaning 'to behave arrogantly, to act boisterously, to be stormy or turbulent.' The noun form רַהַב develops from this verbal root, shifting from the general sense of pride or arrogance to serve first as an abstract quality and then as a concrete name (a chaos monster or Egypt). The root meaning ('to act arrogantly, be turbulent') informs the semantic field, though the noun's usage as a proper name is more specialized.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רַהַב appears in poetic and prophetic texts (notably Job 9:13; 26:12; Psalm 87:4; 89:11; Isaiah 30:7; 51:9), sometimes as the name of a cosmic adversary subdued by Yhwh in the mythic past—a symbolic representative of primeval chaos, similar to 'Leviathan.' In later periods, רַהַב serves as a poetic synonym for Egypt, highlighting that nation's pride or insolence toward Israel and Yhwh (especially in Isaiah and Psalms). English translations vary: often rendered 'Rahab,' 'the proud one,' or simply 'Egypt,' depending on context. The nuance of mythological chaos is often lost in translation. Distinct from the personal name Rahab (רָחָב, H7343), which refers specifically to the woman of Jericho. The usage of רַהַב for Egypt is notably pejorative and figurative, contrasting it with more neutral terms like מִצְרַיִם (Egypt). Shift in use from abstract 'arrogant boaster' to personified entity aligns with broader ancient Near Eastern motifs of divine victory over chaos.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָהַב,; bluster(-er); proud, strength.
Bantu Hebrew
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רהב (r-h-b) — to behave arrogantly, to act boisterously, to be turbulent
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7292 | רָהַב | they emboldened me |
| H7294 | רַהַב | Arrogant-One |
| H7295 | רָהָב | arrogant ones |
| H7296 | רֹהָב | and their stormy arrogance |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7293-01 |
רַ֥הַב | rahav | HNp |
Rahab | Arrogant Chaos-One | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7293-01 |
Isaiah 30:7 | רַ֥הַב | rahav | HNp |
Rahab | Arrogant Chaos-One |
H7293-01 |
Job 9:13 | רָֽהַב | rahav | HNp |
Rahab | Arrogant Chaos-One |
H7293-01 |
Job 26:12 | רָֽהַב | rahav | HNp |
Rahab | Arrogant Chaos-One |