Rahab (demon)

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In the Book of Isaiah and Jewish folklore, Rahab is the name of a legendary sea monster, a dragon of the waters, the "[demonic] angel of the sea".^[1]

[edit] Etymology and traditional usage of "Rahab"

Rahab is mentioned in the Talmud and the Old Testament, and its etymology is given as 'noise,' tumult' or 'arrogance.'^{[citation needed]}

This name originally designated the primordial abyss, the water-dragon of darkness and chaos, and so comparable to Leviathan and Tiamat. Rahab later became a particular demon, inhabitant of the sea, especially associated with the Red Sea, in this case sometimes associated with Leviathan.^{[citation needed]}

This name was also applied to Egypt, and the destruction of the Pharaoh after the Exodus of the Israelites from that country, was compared with the slaying of Rahab, perhaps a late corruption of Rahab slaying the Pharaoh (the Red Sea drowning his troops) (Isaiah 51:9-10).

[edit] In Hebrew tradition

Rahab is or was the angel of insolence and pride, responsible for shaking the waters and producing big waves; he is also responsible for the roaring of the sea.^{[citation needed]} According to some sources, he was the guardian angel of Egypt, a position often designated to other angels such as Belial, Mastema, Samael, and Uzza.^{[citation needed]} Rahab represents Chaos in ancient texts such as the Bible.

In Psalm 89:9-10 God's triumph over Rahab is made clear. The Psalmist praises God saying, "You rule the raging of the sea and still the surging of its waves. You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound."

The difference between Rahab and Tannin is unclear in Jewish literature.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb

Through a land of trouble and anguish,

from where come the lioness and the lion,

the adder and the flying fiery serpent,

they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys,

and their treasures on the humps of camels,

to a people that cannot profit them.

Egypt's help is worthless and empty;

therefore I have called her

"Rahab who sits still".

~Isaiah 30:6-7 (ESV)

[edit] Video game references

There have been several video game characters that have been named "Rahab" and have had characteristics of an underwater monster. In 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. Rahab is also the final boss and main villain of the arcade shooter, The Ocean Hunter.

[edit] See also

• Leviathan
• Lotan
• Tannin (demon)

[edit] References

• Day, John. 1985. God's Conflict with the Dragon and the Sea. Cambridge, Mass.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521256003.

[edit] External links

• Jewish Encyclopedia: Rahab

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