Lexical Summary rohab: Width, breadth, expanse Original Word: רֹהָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance strength From rahab; pride -- strength. see HEBREW rahab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rahab Definition pride NASB Translation pride (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רֹ֫הַב] noun [masculine] Thes and others pride, i.e. object of pride; — suffix רָהְבָּם Psalm 90:10 (compare ἠ ἀλαζονία τοῦ βίου1John 2:16); < ᵐ5 ᵑ9 their width, extent (רָחְבָּם). Topical Lexicon Entry Overview רֹהָב (Strong’s Hebrew 7296) appears once in the Old Testament, at Psalm 90:10, where it is rendered “pride” (Berean Standard Bible). Rooted in the larger semantic family that conveys boisterousness, arrogance, or swelling strength, the noun here points to the self-assured confidence that characterizes the best of human vigor—yet a confidence that is fleeting before the eternal God. Scriptural Context Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses, contrasting God’s everlasting nature with humanity’s transience. Verse 10 captures the pinnacle and decline of the human lifespan: “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10) In the psalm’s literary flow, רֹהָב identifies what humanity instinctively celebrates at its physical and mental peak. Moses does not deny that human achievements can be impressive; he simply frames them within an unrelenting divine timeframe that renders such “pride” fragile. Theological Significance 1. Human Hubris versus Divine Eternity 2. The Moral Limitation of Strength 3. Eschatological Pointer Historical Reception Jewish interpreters traditionally read Psalm 90:10 as a sober reckoning of life’s brevity. Early Christian writers echoed that view, urging believers to direct earthly strength toward eternal ends. Augustine remarks that worldly glory is a “shadow” beside the “weight of eternal glory” promised to those in Christ (compare 2 Corinthians 4:17). Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Psalm 90:10 with רֹהָב offers a compassionate framework for aging congregants, validating both the vigor of younger years and the inevitability of decline. Related Hebrew Concepts • גְּבוּרָה (“strength,” Psalm 90:10) – the capacity that enables רֹהָב. Christological Reflection Where human רֹהָב fades, Christ embodies enduring majesty (Hebrews 1:3). His humility (Philippians 2:5-8) stands in deliberate antithesis to the temporary exaltation depicted by the Psalmist. Believers, therefore, are called to exchange brittle pride for participation in His everlasting glory (Colossians 3:4). Summary רֹהָב crystallizes the finest peak of human life yet exposes its inherent vulnerability. Psalm 90 places that moment within the greater narrative of God’s eternal reign, pushing readers toward humility, wisdom, and dependence on the One whose glory never diminishes. Forms and Transliterations וְ֭רָהְבָּם ורהבם Verahebom wə·rā·hə·bām wərāhəbāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 90:10 HEB: שְׁמ֘וֹנִ֤ים שָׁנָ֗ה וְ֭רָהְבָּם עָמָ֣ל וָאָ֑וֶן NAS: years, Yet their pride is [but] labor KJV: years, yet [is] their strength labour INT: eighty years their pride is labor and sorrow 1 Occurrence |
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