Rahab (Egypt)
Rahab m.n. (Hebrew: רַהַב, Modern Rahav, Tiberian Rahaḇ; "blusterer" is used in the Hebrew Bible to indicate rage, fierceness, insolence, pride.[1]) Rahab is the emblematic name of Egypt and is also spoken of with the sea.[2] In medieval Jewish folklore, Rahab is a mythical sea monster.
Biblical usage
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.[2]
I mention Rahab (Egypt)[3] 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),[3] 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),[3] Piercing a dragon! (Isaiah 51:9)YLT
Creation narratives in Biblical texts
Prior to the Medieval adoption of "Rahab" to mean demon or sea beast, the name also appears in Psalms: 104, Psalms 89: 5-12, and Isaiah 51:9-10. Rahab, in these passages, takes the meaning of primeval, chaotic, multi-headed sea dragon or Leviathan. It can be assumed that long before the Jewish mythos, the ancient Jews emulated the creation fables told by their predecessors. The Babylonians, for example, told of a thunder god, Marduk, and a sea beast, Tiamat, battling for supreme power over the other gods, in the Enûma Eliš. It can be speculated these two characters in the Babylonian myth are parallel to the creation stories found in the Biblical passages containing the name Rahab.[4]
Rahab as insolence or pride
In Isaiah 30:7, rahaḇ (insolence, strength) becomes a proverbial expression that gives an allusion to the Hebrew etymology insolence.[2]
Yea, Egyptians [are] vanity, and in vain do help, Therefore I have cried concerning this: `Their strength (rahaḇ)[5] [is] to sit still. (Isaiah 30:7)YLT
In the Book of Job, rahaḇ (pride, blusterer) occurs in the Hebrew text and is translated in the King James Version as "proud".[5]
[If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud (rahaḇ) 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 (rahaḇ). (Job 26:12)KJV
Jewish folklore
In medieval Jewish folklore, Rahab (noise, tumult, arrogance) is a mythical sea monster, a dragon of the waters, the "demonic angel of the sea". Rahab is also seen as a deity in the text. 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.[6]
Influence
Astronomy
- The official Hebrew name for the planet Neptune in a vote organised by the Academy of the Hebrew Language in 2009.[7][8]
Military
- The name of several Israel Navy submarines, including the fifth Dolphin class submarine slated to enter service in late 2015. INS Rahav
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 antagonist.
See also
References
- John, Day (1985). God's Conflict with the Dragon and the Sea. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-25600-1. LCCN 83021045. OCLC 614077481.
- ↑ "Old Testament Hebrew Entry for Strong's #7293 - רַהַב". StudyLight.org. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- 1 2 3 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.
- 1 2 3 Strong, James (1980) [1890]. "Strong's Concordance: H7294". Strong's Concordance. Abingdon Press. ISBN 978-0-687-40032-4. LCCN 80019453. OCLC 59851471.
- ↑ Coogan, Michael D. (2014). The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 34–40. ISBN 978-0-19-994661-7.
- 1 2 Strong, James (1980) [1890]. "Strong's Concordance: H7293". Strong's Concordance. Abingdon Press. ISBN 978-0-687-40032-4. LCCN 80019453. OCLC 59851471.
- ↑ 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.
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
- ↑ "Uranus and Neptune get Hebrew names at last", Haaretz.com
- ↑ "Hebrew names to Uranus and Neptune", Hayadan.org.il
External links
- Singer, Isidore; Adler, Cyrus; et al., eds. (2002) [1901–1906]. "Rahab". Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. LCCN 16-014703. Retrieved 2012-02-17.