### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word rôhâb (רֹהָב), Strong's number `{{H7296}}`, is a noun derived from the verb râhab (רָהַב, `{{H7292}}`). The root verb signifies being boisterous, tumultuous, insolent, or acting proudly. Consequently, rôhâb primarily denotes "pride" or "arrogance," often with an overtone of insolence, defiance, or unbridled confidence. Its semantic range also extends to "strength" or "might," but this strength is typically presented as a manifestation of the aforementioned pride—a robust, often overbearing, power that is self-assertive or even rebellious. Thus, rôhâb encapsulates both a negative moral quality (haughty self-exaltation) and a descriptive quality of formidable power, frequently associated with entities that defy divine authority or operate with self-sufficient might.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term rôhâb appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Psalms, highlighting specific aspects of God's sovereignty over challenging forces.
1. **[[Psalm 68:30]] (MT 68:31)**: "Rebuke the beast of the reeds, the company of bulls with the calves of the peoples, till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver; scatter the peoples who delight in war."
In this verse, rôhâb is translated variously as "company" (KJV), "proud ones" (NIV), "haughty ones" (ESV), or "pride" (NASB). The context is a plea for divine intervention against powerful, rebellious nations, symbolized by formidable animals like the "beast of the reeds" and "bulls." If rôhâb means "pride," it refers to the arrogant self-assurance of these nations. If it means "strength" or "company," it points to their collective, formidable power. The parallelism with "bulls" and "calves of the peoples" strongly suggests a collective, powerful entity that is characterized by its insolence and opposition to God. The divine command to "rebuke" and "scatter" them underscores God's ultimate authority over all earthly powers, however proud or strong.
2. **[[Psalm 89:10]] (MT 89:11)**: "You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them."
Here, rôhâb is used in parallel with "raging" or "swelling" of the sea. The ESV translates it as "raging," while others opt for "pride" (KJV, NASB) or "surging waves" (NIV). This personification of the sea as possessing "pride" or "arrogance" highlights its formidable, untamable power and chaotic nature. The verse beautifully contrasts this inherent, overwhelming power of the natural world with God's absolute control. Only the Lord can "rule" and "still" the rôhâb of the sea, demonstrating His mastery not only over human rebellion but over the very forces of creation that might seem beyond control. This imagery resonates deeply with ancient Near Eastern motifs of a divine warrior subduing primordial chaos.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of rôhâb is illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **Root râhab (רָהַב, `{{H7292}}`)**: As the verbal root, it directly informs rôhâb, emphasizing the active nature of being tumultuous, insolent, or proudly aggressive.
* **Rahab (רָהַב, `{{H7293}}`)**: This proper noun refers to a mythical sea monster, often identified with Egypt or other nations hostile to Israel (e.g., [[Psalm 87:4]], [[Isaiah 30:7]], [[Isaiah 51:9]]). This association reinforces the idea of rôhâb as a formidable, often defiant, and rebellious force that God ultimately subdues.
* **gâ'ôn (גָּאוֹן, `{{H1346}}`)**: A more common word for "pride," "majesty," or "arrogance." While gâ'ôn can describe positive majesty (e.g., God's majesty), rôhâb almost exclusively carries a negative connotation of insolent, boastful, or defiant pride.
* **zâdhôn (זָדוֹן, `{{H2087}}`)**: Another term for "pride" or "presumption," often specifically linked to acts of rebellion against God, similar in spirit to rôhâb.
* **oz (עֹז, `{{H5797}}`)**: A general term for "strength" or "might." While rôhâb can mean strength, it uniquely carries the added nuance of boastful, overbearing, or defiant strength, setting it apart from a neutral description of power.
* The broader theological concept of "chaos" or "rebellion" is strongly linked to rôhâb, especially through its association with the untamed sea and nations that oppose God's divine order.
### Theological Significance
Despite its rare occurrence, rôhâb offers profound theological insights into God's absolute sovereignty over all forms of pride, power, and chaos.
In [[Psalm 68:30]], rôhâb represents the collective arrogance and formidable strength of human nations that stand in opposition to God's purposes and His people. God's act of "rebuking" and "scattering" them is a powerful declaration that no earthly power, however mighty or self-assured, can ultimately withstand or defy the divine will. It underscores the fragility of human pride when confronted with divine omnipotence.
In [[Psalm 89:10]], the "pride" or "raging" of the sea serves as a potent metaphor for the untamed, chaotic forces within creation. God's unique ability to "rule" and "still" this rôhâb demonstrates His complete control over the cosmos. This imagery powerfully echoes the creation narrative, where God brings order out of chaos, and reinforces the truth that even the most overwhelming natural phenomena are utterly subject to His command. It highlights God's role as the ultimate bringer of order and peace, capable of subduing all that is wild and rebellious.
The specific nuance of rôhâb—a pride that is boisterous, insolent, and overtly defiant—serves to magnify God's unparalleled power. Whatever form rôhâb takes, whether it is the insolent strength of human empires or the untamed power of the natural world, it is always presented as something that only the Lord can subdue. This term thus underscores a fundamental biblical truth: God alone is sovereign, and all forms of self-assertion or rebellion, no matter how grand, ultimately bow before His majestic authority.
### Summary
The Hebrew word rôhâb (רֹהָב, `{{H7296}}`), derived from râhab (`{{H7292}}`), denotes "pride" or "strength," specifically carrying the connotation of insolent, defiant, or boastful power. Its two appearances in the Psalms powerfully illustrate God's supreme sovereignty. In [[Psalm 68:30]], rôhâb refers to the arrogant, collective strength of nations hostile to God, which He decisively subdues. In [[Psalm 89:10]], it describes the formidable, untamed "pride" or "raging" of the sea, which only God can calm. Through rôhâb, the biblical text emphasizes that all forms of human or cosmic defiance and self-assertion, regardless of their perceived "strength" or "pride," are ultimately subject to the absolute power and authority of the Lord. It serves as a profound theological statement that God alone is sovereign over all chaos, rebellion, and boastful might, bringing order and subduing all that exalts itself against Him.
TRV