Rahab (Egypt)
Rahab m.n. (Hebrew: רַהַב, Modern Raẖav ( rah'·hav ) Tiberian Rāḥāḇ ; "breadth" is used in the Hebrew Bible to indicate rage, fierceness, insolence, pride. Rahab is the emblematic name of Egypt and is also spoken of with the sea.[1] In Jewish folklore, Rahab is a mythical sea monster.
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[edit] Biblical usage
[edit] Egypt
Rahab is a poetical name for Egypt. It might have Egyptian origins that were accommodated to the Hebrew language. However, there is nothing revealing in the Coptic language.[1]
I mention Rahab (Egypt)[2] and Babel to those knowing Me, Lo, Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush! This [one] was born there. (Psalm 87:4)YLT
Thou [Jehovah] art ruler over the pride of the sea, In the lifting up of its billows Thou dost restrain them. Thou hast bruised Rahab (Egypt),[2] as one wounded. With the arm of Thy strength Thou hast scattered Thine enemies. (Psalm 89:8–10)YLT
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah, Awake, as [in] days of old, generations of the ages, Art not Thou it that is hewing down Rahab (Egypt),[2] Piercing a dragon! (Isaiah 51:9)YLT
[edit] Insolence
In Isaiah 30:7, rāḥāḇ (insolence, strength) becomes a proverbial expression that gives an allusion to the Hebrew etymology insolence.[1]
Yea, Egyptians [are] vanity, and in vain do help, Therefore I have cried concerning this: `Their strength (rāḥāḇ)[3] [is] to sit still. (Isaiah 30:7)YLT
[edit] Pride
In the Book of Job, rāḥāḇ (pride, blusterer) occurs in the Hebrew text and is translated as "proud".[3]
[If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud (rāḥāḇ) helpers do stoop under him. (Job 9:13)KJV
He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud (rāḥāḇ). (Job 26:12)KJV
[edit] Jewish folklore and Psalms
In Jewish folklore, Rahab (noise, tumult, arrogance) 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.[4]
This tradition is reflected in Psalm 89:10.
[edit] Influence
- Video-games
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for the PlayStation, Rahab is one of Kain's vampire generals that evolved over millennia into a large swimming monster.
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for the Nintendo DS, features an underwater boss named Rahab.
- In Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, a weapon called Rahab's Frost (Rahab's Sword in Aria of Sorrow), which is "a dagger made from the fang of the water dragon Rahab" is found.
- In the arcade shooter, The Ocean Hunter, Rahab is also the final boss and main villain.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- John, Day (1985). God's Conflict with the Dragon and the Sea. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521256001. LCCN 83021045. OCLC 614077481.
- ^ a b c 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. http://books.google.de/?id=dxCBQLh9-9kC&pg=PA976.
- ^ a b c Strong, James (1980) [1890]. "Strong's Concordance: H7294". Strong's Concordance. Abingdon Press. ISBN 9780687400324. LCCN 80019453. OCLC 59851471. http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/CONHEB729.htm#S7294.
- ^ a b Strong, James (1980) [1890]. "Strong's Concordance: H7293". Strong's Concordance. Abingdon Press. ISBN 9780687400324. LCCN 80019453. OCLC 59851471. http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/CONHEB729.htm#S7293.
- ^ Simon, Maurice (trans.); Slotik, Israel W. (trans.) (1935). "Folio 74b". In Epstein, Isidore. Baba Bathra: chapters I - VI; translated into English with notes, glossary and indices. London, England: Soncino Press. OCLC 34847398. http://www.come-and-hear.com/bababathra/bababathra_74.html. "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"
[edit] External links
- Singer, Isidore; Adler, Cyrus; et al., ed. (2002) [1901–1906]. "Rahab". Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. LCCN 16-014703. http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=70&letter=R&search=Rahab. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
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