By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's often missed here is that the verse isn't just about God's power to stir up storms; it also highlights His profound control in calming them, "stilling" the sea's "pride." This shows God's mastery isn't just in causing chaos, but in bringing peace.
By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is in the middle of a passionate defense, arguing that God's might is far beyond human comprehension. This verse highlights God's incredible power over the chaotic forces of nature, specifically the sea, which was often seen as a symbol of untamed, destructive power. The argument moves from God's control over the physical world to His dominion over the spiritual realm, setting the stage for his grander points about divine justice.
The sea, a symbol of untamed chaos, roars and rages. How does God interact with this wildness?
This verse speaks to God's ultimate control over the sea, a force that often represents chaos and overwhelming power. The Hebrew word used here can be translated as 'stills' or 'agitates,' highlighting God's dual capacity to bring calm or stir up storms.
Divine Control
Both actions reveal that the sea, in all its might, is subject to the Creator's will.
The verse mentions 'Rahab.' Who, or what, is this powerful entity God shatters?
The term 'Rahab' in this context is a powerful symbol. While it can refer to a mythological sea monster representing chaos, it is also frequently used in Scripture as a poetic name for Egypt.
Rahab as Egypt
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God's 'understanding' (wisdom) is what allows Him to strategically defeat these proud, rebellious forces, whether they are natural chaotic powers or human empires.
Understand the original words
yam · Hebrew Noun
In the Bible, the sea often represents chaos, rebellion, or the untamed forces of nature that oppose God's order. Stilling the sea is an act of divine mastery and peaceful rule.
Rahab · Hebrew Proper Noun
A mythological figure often used in the Old Testament as a poetic name for the chaotic forces of the deep or a representative of primordial evil that God defeats and suppresses.
This verse likely alludes to God's powerful intervention at the Red Sea during the Exodus, where He 'divided' the sea and 'shattered' the pride of Egypt (named 'Rahab'). Even if Job predates this event, the imagery evokes God's ultimate mastery over chaotic forces and rebellious powers.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites' departure from Egypt, marked by God parting the Red Sea for them to cross and then drowning the pursuing Egyptian army.
c. 10th Century BC
Prophetic References to Egypt
Prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 51:9) refer to Egypt by the name 'Rahab' in the context of God's past judgments, specifically referencing the Exodus event.
Unknown, likely post-Exodus
Composition of the Book of Job
Scholarly debate places the composition of Job either before or after the Exodus. If after, this verse could be a direct allusion to that event.
This passage directly describes God dividing the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross, a powerful Old Testament example of God's 'power' over the sea, which is likely alluded to in Job 26:12.
Psalm 74:13-14This psalm recounts God's mighty acts, including 'breaking the heads of the sea monster' and 'crushing the heads of Rahab,' directly paralleling Job's mention of God shattering 'Rahab' with His power.
Isaiah 51:9-10This prophetic passage also alludes to God's past acts of power, mentioning how He 'cut Rahab in pieces' and 'pierced the dragon,' echoing the imagery in Job of God subduing powerful, rebellious forces represented by Rahab.
Matthew 8:27This New Testament account shows Jesus calming a violent storm, demonstrating His divine authority over the sea. It highlights that the same power Job describes God wielding is also inherent in Jesus, affirming His divine nature.
bensonJob 26:12: "He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud."
Job 26:12 . He divideth the sea with his power — “By his power he raises tempests, which make great furrows in the sea, and divideth, as it were, one part of it from another;” and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud — “And, such is his wisdom, he knows how to appease it again, and repress its proud waves into the deadest calm.” — Bishop Patrick. Waterland and Schultens render רג…
ellicottJob 26:12: "He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud."
(12) He divideth the sea. —The word is taken in the two opposite senses of stirring up and calming; perhaps the latter is more appropriate to the context, which seems to speak of God’s mastery over nature. By his understanding he smiteth through the proud.—Literally, Rahab, which certainly is at times a name for Egypt (see Isaiah 51:9, e.g.), and which, if used in that sense here, can only re…
What's often missed here is that the verse isn't just about God's power to stir up storms; it also highlights His profound control in calming them, "stilling" the sea's "pride." This shows God's mastery isn't just in causing chaos, but in bringing peace.
Job is in the middle of a passionate defense, arguing that God's might is far beyond human comprehension. This verse highlights God's incredible power over the chaotic forces of nature, specifically the sea, which was often seen as a symbol of untamed, destructive power. The argument moves from God's control over the physical world to His dominion over the spiritual realm, setting the stage for his grander points about divine justice.
Job is in the middle of a passionate defense, arguing that God's might is far beyond human comprehension. This verse highlights God's incredible power over the chaotic forces of nature, specifically the sea, which was often seen as a symbol of untamed, destructive power. The argument moves from God's control over the physical world to His dominion over the spiritual realm, setting the stage for his grander points about divine justice.
"By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab." — What's often missed here is that the verse isn't just about God's power to stir up storms; it also highlights His profound control in calming them, "stilling" the sea's "pride." This shows God's mast…
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Last reviewed October 2026