You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
"Rahab" here isn't a monster, but a powerful poetic name for Egypt, highlighting that God's victory wasn't just over a nation, but over a symbol of overwhelming, arrogant power. The phrase "as one that is slain" suggests not just death, but a complete, utterly broken defeat, akin to a fallen warrior.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is recalling God's mighty acts, specifically His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The poet uses vivid imagery of God crushing a monstrous, rebellious force ("Rahab," a symbol for Egypt) and scattering His enemies with His sheer strength, recalling the Exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. This is set in the context of the psalm's larger praise of God's faithfulness and power, which the author will later contrast with current troubles.
Ever heard of Rahab? In this psalm, it's not a person but a powerful symbol pointing to one of Israel's greatest moments of deliverance.
Rahab: More Than Just a Name
In Psalm 89:10, 'Rahab' isn't referring to the woman from Jericho in the book of Joshua. Instead, it's an ancient poetic name for Egypt, representing its immense power and pride.
The way God deals with His enemies is described in a way that might seem brutal, but it reveals the totality of His victory.
Victory Beyond Defeat
The phrase 'as one that is slain' or 'like a warrior defeated' adds a profound layer to God's victory over His enemies.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
Rahab · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Hebrew poetic term often representing primeval chaos or hostile powers, symbolizing forces that oppose God's order and sovereignty.
zeroa' uzzecha · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Metaphorical language representing God's active power, strength, and intervention in history to execute judgment or protect His people.
This psalm powerfully recalls God's decisive victory over Egypt at the Red Sea, using the name 'Rahab' as a symbol for Egypt's arrogance and might. It serves as a reminder that God's sovereign power, demonstrated in the great exodus, is the foundation for His promises and His people's hope.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, famously parting the Red Sea to allow their escape and destroying the pursuing Egyptian army.
c. 1200 BC
Settlement in Canaan
Following their exodus, the Israelites eventually entered and conquered the land of Canaan, dispossessing various peoples.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
Under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, the twelve tribes were unified into a single kingdom, expanding its influence and power.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divided
After Solomon's reign, the united kingdom split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Israel
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and ending its existence as a distinct nation.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, exiling many of its people to Babylon.
This passage describes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's pursuing army, directly illustrating God's powerful scattering of enemies that the psalm is referencing with the 'Rahab' metaphor.
Isaiah 51:9This prophetic passage echoes the language of Psalms 89:10, calling on the 'arm of the Lord' to awaken and crush 'Rahab' (understood as Egypt), showing a consistent biblical understanding of this imagery representing God's decisive victory over oppressive forces.
Job 26:12This verse speaks of God's power over the sea and its inhabitants, mentioning 'by his strength he pierced Rahab,' which parallels the imagery of crushing a monstrous enemy, reinforcing the idea of God's supreme authority and might.
Joshua 3:14-17This passage describes the crossing of the Jordan River, where God stopped the waters and allowed the Israelites to pass. It demonstrates God's power over natural forces and the scattering of the inhabitants of the land, echoing the theme of divine conquest.
clarkePsalms 89:10: "Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm."
Thou hast broken Rahab - Thou hast destroyed the power of Egypt, having overthrown the king and its people when they endeavored to prevent thy people from regaining their liberty. As one that is slain - The whole clause in the original is, אתה דכאת כחלל רהב attah dikkitha kechalal Rahab, "Thou, like a hero, hast broken down Egypt." Dr. Kennicott has largely proved that…
ellicottPsalms 89:10: "Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm."
(10) Rahab. —See Note, Psalm 87:4 . The mention of the sea has carried the poet’s thoughts to the Red Sea and the deliverance from Egypt, which is represented as some huge monster conquered and crushed.
"Rahab" here isn't a monster, but a powerful poetic name for Egypt, highlighting that God's victory wasn't just over a nation, but over a symbol of overwhelming, arrogant power. The phrase "as one that is slain" suggests not just death, but a complete, utterly broken defeat, akin to a fallen warrior.
This psalm is recalling God's mighty acts, specifically His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The poet uses vivid imagery of God crushing a monstrous, rebellious force ("Rahab," a symbol for Egypt) and scattering His enemies with His sheer strength, recalling the Exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. This is set in the context of the psalm's larger praise of God's faithfulness and power, which the author will later contrast with current troubles.
This psalm is recalling God's mighty acts, specifically His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The poet uses vivid imagery of God crushing a monstrous, rebellious force ("Rahab," a symbol for Egypt) and scattering His enemies with His sheer strength, recalling the Exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. This is set in the context of the psalm's larger praise of God's faithfulness and power, which the author will later contrast with current troubles.
"You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm." — "Rahab" here isn't a monster, but a powerful poetic name for Egypt, highlighting that God's victory wasn't just over a nation, but over a symbol of overwhelming, arrogant power. The phrase "as one th…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026