Psalms 89:10
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
Original Language Analysis
דִכִּ֣אתָ
Thou hast broken
H1792
דִכִּ֣אתָ
Thou hast broken
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
2 of 8
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
כֶחָלָ֣ל
as one that is slain
H2491
כֶחָלָ֣ל
as one that is slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
3 of 8
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
בִּזְר֥וֹעַ
arm
H2220
בִּזְר֥וֹעַ
arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
5 of 8
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
עֻ֝זְּךָ֗
with thy strong
H5797
עֻ֝זְּךָ֗
with thy strong
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
6 of 8
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Historical Context
The Exodus was Israel's defining salvation event, repeatedly referenced as proof of God's power to save. Just as God 'broke Rahab' (Egypt) to deliver Israel physically, He would break all powers opposing His Messianic kingdom, culminating in Christ's resurrection victory over death and Satan.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'Rahabs' (systemic evils, cultural idols, personal strongholds) need to be broken by God's strong arm?
- How does remembering God's past victories (like the Exodus) strengthen faith for present battles?
- In what ways does Christ's cross represent the ultimate 'breaking of Rahab' (Satan and sin's power)?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain (אַתָּה דִכִּאתָ כֶחָלָל רָהַב)—Rahab here is not the Jericho prostitute but a poetic name for Egypt (Isaiah 30:7) or a mythological sea monster representing chaos and evil. Dika'ta (crushed, broken) with chalal (slain, pierced) depicts utter destruction. Thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm (בִּזְרֹועַ עֻזְּךָ פִּזַּרְתָּ אוֹיְבֶיךָ)—God's zeroa (arm) symbolizes His might, scattering (pizar—dispersing) enemies like chaff.
This recalls the Exodus—God's 'strong arm' crushing Egypt (Rahab) at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:6-7). The prophets later used Rahab as shorthand for any enemy of God's people (Isaiah 51:9-10). Theologically, this anticipates Christ's crushing of Satan (Genesis 3:15, Romans 16:20), the cosmic 'Rahab' behind all earthly opposition to God's kingdom. Colossians 2:15 describes Christ publicly disgracing principalities and powers at the cross.