King James Version

What Does Psalms 89:10 Mean?

Psalms 89:10 in the King James Version says “Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. Rahab: or...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 89 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. Rahab: or, Egypt thy: Heb. the arm of thy strength”

Psalms 89:10 · KJV

Strength

Context

8

O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

9

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

10

Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. Rahab: or, Egypt thy: Heb. the arm of thy strength

11

The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. the fulness: or, all it containeth

12

The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'Rahabs' (systemic evils, cultural idols, personal strongholds) need to be broken by God's strong arm?
  2. How does remembering God's past victories (like the Exodus) strengthen faith for present battles?
  3. In what ways does Christ's cross represent the ultimate 'breaking of Rahab' (Satan and sin's power)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אַתָּ֤ה1 of 8
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

דִכִּ֣אתָ2 of 8

“Thou hast broken”

H1792

to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)

כֶחָלָ֣ל3 of 8

“as one that is slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

רָ֑הַב4 of 8

“Rahab”

H7294

rahab (i.e., boaster), an epithet of egypt

בִּזְר֥וֹעַ5 of 8

“arm”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

עֻ֝זְּךָ֗6 of 8

“with thy strong”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ7 of 8

“thou hast scattered”

H6340

to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty

אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ׃8 of 8

“thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 89:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 89:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 87:4Psalms 144:6Psalms 68:30Deuteronomy 4:34Exodus 3:19-20Psalms 59:11

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