H7294 H7294
Rahab, mythical chaos monster symbolizing divine conquest over primordial forces
This instance of Rahab (identical in meaning to H7293) appears in Psalms and Isaiah as the defeated chaos monster of ancient mythology. Psalm 89 celebrates God cutting Rahab in pieces as one crushes the slain, demonstrating sovereignty over chaotic forces. Psalm 87 uses it symbolically for Egypt. Isaiah 51 parallels Rahab with 'the dragon' (tannin), calling on God's arm that 'pierced Rahab' in primeval times to act again in exodus redemption.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The term functions as the proper name of a mythic sea creature embodying chaos and opposition to divine order. Psalm 89:10 uses violent imagery: 'You crushed Rahab like one of the slain,' celebrating God's victory. Psalm 87:4 lists Rahab (Egypt) alongside Babylon as nations that will acknowledge Zion. Isaiah 51:9 makes the most explicit connection: 'Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?'—linking creation victory over chaos with historical deliverance from Egypt. The name bridges mythology and history, portraying Egypt as the embodiment of the defeated chaos monster. 3×
AR["رَهَبَ"]·ben["রহব", "রহবকে"]·DE["Rahav", "[רהב]"]·EN["Rahav"]·FR["[רהב]", "orgueilleux"]·heb["רהב"]·HI["रहब-को", "राहब"]·ID["Rahab"]·IT["[רהב]", "stese"]·jav["Rahab"]·KO["라하브를", "라합-과", "라합-을"]·PT["Raabe", "Rahav", "a-Raabe"]·RU["Раав", "Рахав"]·ES["a-Rahab"]·SW["Rahabu"]·TR["Rahab'i", "Rahab'ı", "Rahav'ı"]·urd["رہب", "رہب-کو"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† רַ֫הַב n.[m.] lit. storm, arrogance, but only as names, v. infr.;—abs. ר׳ Is 30:7, רָ֑הַב Jb 9:13 +;— 1. mythical sea monster (cf. Barton JAOS xv. 1 (1891), 22 f.): עֹזְרֵי ר׳ Jb 9:13; ‖ יָם 26:12; ‖ תַּנִּין Is 51:9; ψ 89:11 2. emblemat. name of Egypt, רַהַב וּבָבֶל ψ 87:4; ‖ מצרים Is 30:7.