Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Rapha is a term found in the Hebrew Bible, often associated with the Rephaim, a group of ancient people mentioned in various Old Testament passages. The term "Rapha" itself can refer to individuals or be used as a collective term for the descendants of Rephaim. The Rephaim are frequently depicted as giants or mighty warriors, and their presence in the biblical narrative often signifies formidable opposition to the Israelites.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 14:5 : "In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim." This passage introduces the Rephaim as one of the groups defeated by Chedorlaomer, indicating their presence in the land during the time of Abraham.
2.
Deuteronomy 2:10-11 : "The Emites used to live there, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emites." Here, the Rephaim are equated with other giant-like peoples, emphasizing their stature and strength.
3.
2 Samuel 21:16-22 : This passage recounts the exploits of David's warriors against the descendants of Rapha, including Ishbi-benob, Saph, and others. "Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, intended to kill David." The narrative highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the descendants of Rapha, underscoring their role as formidable adversaries.
4.
1 Chronicles 20:4-8 : Similar to the account in 2 Samuel, this passage details battles against the descendants of Rapha. "In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha." The chronicler records these victories as part of the broader narrative of Israel's triumph over its enemies.
Theological Significance:The Rephaim, and by extension Rapha, are often seen as symbolic of the challenges and obstacles faced by the people of God. Their depiction as giants or mighty warriors serves to highlight the power and faithfulness of God in delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable foes. The victories over the descendants of Rapha are a testament to divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.
Cultural and Historical Context:The Rephaim are part of the larger narrative of ancient Near Eastern peoples who inhabited the land prior to the Israelite conquest. Their mention in various biblical texts reflects the historical memory of these groups and their interactions with the Israelites. The term "Rapha" itself may have been used to denote a specific lineage or clan within the broader category of Rephaim.
Conclusion:While the term "Rapha" appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, its association with the Rephaim provides insight into the ancient world's perception of giants and mighty warriors. The biblical narrative uses these figures to demonstrate God's power and the fulfillment of His covenant promises, reinforcing the theme of divine victory over human opposition.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Rapha(tall).
- Son of Binea, among the descendants of Saul. (1 Chronicles 8:37)
- One of Benjamin's descendants. (1 Chronicles 8:2)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Tall.
(1.) A Benjamite, the son of Binea (1 Chronicles 8:2, 37), a descendant of Saul.
(2.) Margin of1 Chronicles 20:4, 6, where "giant" is given in the text.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAPHA, RAPHAHra'-fa (rapha'):
(1) In the Revised Version margin these names are substituted for "the giant" in1 Chronicles 20:4, 6, 8 and in2 Samuel 21:16, 18, 20, 22. The latter passage states that certain champions of the Philistines who were slain by David's warriors had been born to the raphah in Gath. The text is corrupt; Raphah is probably an eponym. Originally the name of one of the Philistines who was of the body "Rephaites" stood in the text. The plural of this word, or at least a plural of this stem, is REPHAIM (which see).
(2) Raphah (the King James Version "Rapha"), a descendant of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:37).
SeeREPHAIAH.
Horace J. Wolf
Strong's Hebrew
1051. BethRapha -- an Israelite nameBeth
Rapha. 1050, 1051. Beth
Rapha. 1052 . an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Beth
Rapha Phonetic Spelling: (bayth raw-faw') Short Definition: Bethrapha.
...7498.Rapha' -- a Benjamite
... 7497, 7498.Rapha'. 7498a . a Benjamite. Transliteration:Rapha' Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-faw') Short Definition:Rapha.Rapha Or...
7497.Rapha -- inhab. of an area East of the Jordan
... 7496, 7497.Rapha. 7498 . inhab. of an area East of the Jordan. Transliteration:
Rapha Phonetic Spelling: (raw-faw') Short Definition: Rephaim....
7498a.Rapha -- a Benjamite
...Rapha. 7498b . a Benjamite. Transliteration:Rapha Short Definition:Rapha. Word
Origin fromrapha Definition a Benjamite NASB Word UsageRapha (1)....
7496.rapha -- shades, ghosts
... 7495, 7496.rapha. 7497 . shades, ghosts. Transliteration:rapha Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-faw') Short Definition: spirits.... see HEBREWrapha'. see HEBREW raphah...
7504a.Rapha -- an Israelite in the line of Saul
...Rapha. 7504b . an Israelite in the line of Saul. Transliteration:Rapha Short
Definition: Raphah. Word Origin fromrapha Definition an Isr....Rapha. 7504b ....
7495.rapha -- to heal
... 7494, 7495.rapha. 7496 . to heal. Transliteration:rapha Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-faw') Short Definition: heal. Word Origin a prim.... 7494, 7495.rapha. 7496...
7498b.rapha -- giant
rapha or raphah. 7498a, 7498b.rapha or raphah. 7499 . giant. Transliteration:
rapha or raphah Short Definition: giant. Word Origin...
8644. teruphah -- a healing
... medicine. From ruwph in the sense of its congenerrapha'; a remedy -- medicine.
see HEBREW ruwph. see HEBREWrapha'. 8643, 8644. teruphah. 8645 ....
7501. Rephael -- "God has cured," a Levite
... Word Origin fromrapha and el Definition "God has cured," a Levite NASB Word Usage
Rephael (1). Rephael.... see HEBREWrapha'. see HEBREW 'el. 7500, 7501....
Library
Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard...
... God."[4] The great change which cleaves his public career into two well-defined
parts is impressively indicated by his friend and disciple,Rapha Harford, in...
Spiritual Reformers in the 16th and 17th Centuries
... Hagen, Carl" on Buenderlin, 34 n. Haldane, ES" on Descartes, 124 n. Hales, John,
291 Harford,Rapha" on Everard, 240, 241 Harless, von" on Boehme, 151 n...
The Doctrine of God
... Jehovah"Jireh: The Lord will provide (Gen.22:13, 14). Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord that
healeth (Exod.15:26). Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our Banner (Exod.17:8-15)....
Chapter xx
... The very fact that this disability is described as something that was healed
(rapha') suggests that it should be classed as a sickness....
Thesaurus
Rapha (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
RAPHA, RAPHAH.
... (2) Raphah (the King James Version
"
Rapha"), a descendant of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:37). See REPHAIAH.
...Beth-rapha (1 Occurrence)
Beth-rapha. Bethrapha, Beth-rapha. Bethra'pha . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia BETH-RAPHA. beth-ra'-fa (bethrapha'; B...
Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Lofty men; giants, (Genesis 14:5; 2 Samuel 21:16, 18,
marg. AV,Rapha, marg. RV, Raphah; Deuteronomy 3:13, RV; AV, "giants")....
Raphah (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaRAPHA, RAPHAH.... (2) Raphah (the King James Version
"Rapha"), a descendant of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:37). See REPHAIAH....
Bethrapha (1 Occurrence)
... BETH-RAPHA. beth-ra'-fa (bethrapha'; B, ho Bathraia, Bathrepha): The name
occurs only in the genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 4:12....
Raphael
... ra'-a-el, ra'-fa-el (repha'el, fromrapha' 'el, "God has healed"; Rhaphael): The
name of the angel who, as Azarias, guides Tobias to ECBATANA and RAGES (which...
Bethra'pha (1 Occurrence)
Bethra'pha. Beth-rapha, Bethra'pha. Bethrehob .... 1 Chronicles 4:12 And Eshton
begot Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash....
Nohah (2 Occurrences)
... side of Gibeah. (BBE DBY RSV). 1 Chronicles 8:2 Nohah the fourth, andRapha
the fifth. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Giants (18 Occurrences)
... of the Hebrew words nephilim (Genesis 6:4 Numbers 13:33); repha'im (Deuteronomy
2:11, 20; Deuteronomy 3:11, 13 Joshua 12:4, etc.);rapha' (1 Chronicles 20:4, 6...
Wholesome (10 Occurrences)
... from the earlier meaning of "whole." It occurs in Proverbs 15:4, the King James
Version, the English Revised Version, "a wholesome tongue" (rapha', "heal," the...
Resources
What does it mean that God is Jehovah-Rapha? | GotQuestions.orgWas Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.orgThe Identity of God ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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