Rahab, that Sitteth Still
Isaiah 30:7
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.


So full were Egyptian politics of bluster and big language, that the Hebrews had a nickname for Egypt. They called her Rahab — "Stormy speech," "Blusterer," "Braggart." It was the term also for the crocodile, as being a "monster," so that there was a picturesqueness as well as moral aptness in the name. Ay, says Isaiah, catching at the old name, and putting to it another which describes Egyptian helplessness and inactivity, I call her "Rahab sit-still," "Braggart-that-sitteth-still," "Stormy-speech stay-at-home." Blustering and inactivity, blustering and sitting still, that is her character. "For Egypt helpeth in vain and to no purpose."

(Prof. G. A. Smith, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

WEB: For Egypt helps in vain, and to no purpose; therefore have I called her Rahab who sits still.




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