1. The word Rahab<\/em> (not to be confused with the prostitute in Jericho at the beginning of the book of Joshua; the spelling in Hebrew is different) occurs twice in the book of Job:<\/p>\n If he snatches away, who can stop him? By his power he churned up the sea; Those two passages in Job can be profitably compared with some other biblical passages:<\/p>\n to Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. I will record Rahab and Babylon You rule over the surging sea; Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, From these references, it seems clear that the word Rahab<\/em> is a reference to Egypt; furthermore, it appears that it is used in Job to refer to the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt. Therefore, the book of Job had to have been written sometime after that event. <\/p>\n Psalm 87 was written by the sons of Korah, dating the Psalm to the time of David or Solomon, according to 1 Chronicles 6:22, 31-46. Psalm 89 was written by Ethen the Ezrahite, who lived close to the time of Solomon, too, since Solomon is favorably compared to him in 1 Kings 4:31. Isaiah lived many years after Solomon. Therefore, an educated date for the time of authorship of the book of Job would seem to place it sometime between the time of David and Isaiah. <\/p>\n But what about the time frame of Job himself? Since the words about Egypt and the exodus are put in his mouth, a time during the patriarchs is completely ruled out. However, if we compare Job’s behavior, in serving as priest to his house, with the time of the Judges, we find definite parallels, because then, too, sacrifice was not exclusively the work of priests in a central tabernacle or temple (see for instance Judges 2:5, 6:25- 27, 11:31, and 13:19-21; see also 1 Samuel 6:14 and 11:15).<\/p>\n Another reason for rejecting the idea that Job dates to the time of the patriarchs or is the earliest book of the Bible is the simple fact that God’s name Yahweh <\/em> appears in it (see Job 1:6, 1:12, 2:2 etc.). According to Exodus 6:2-3, that name was not used before the time of Moses:<\/p>\n God also said to Moses, \u201cI am the Yahweh. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Yahweh I did not make myself known to them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Traditionally, Job has been dated to the time of the patriarchs, with some commentators arguing that it is the earliest book of the Bible. Those who argue this way offer the following reasons for their position: 1. Job’s sacrifices were … Continue reading
\nWho can say to him, “What are you doing?”
\nGod does not restrain his anger;
\neven the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet. (Job 9:12-13)<\/p>\n
\nby his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
\nBy his breath the skies became fair;
\nhis hand pierced the gliding serpent. (Job 26:12-13)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nTherefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing. (Isaiah 30:7)<\/p>\n
\namong those who acknowledge me —
\nPhilistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush —
\nand will say, “This one was born in Zion.” (Psalm 87:4)<\/p>\n
\nwhen its waves mount up, you still them.
\nYou crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
\nwith your strong arm you scattered your enemies. (Psalm 89:9-10)<\/p>\n
\nO arm of the Lord;
\nawake, as in days gone by,
\nas in generations of old.
\nWas it not you who cut Rahab to pieces,
\nwho pierced that monster through?
\nwas it not you who dried up the sea,
\nthe waters of the great deep,
\nwho made a road in the depths of the sea
\nso that the redeemed might cross over? (Isaiah 51:9-10)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n![](\"https:\/\/nettelhorst.com\/blog1\/wp-content\/plugins\/send-to-kindle\/media\/white-15.png\")
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