Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Rephaim" in the Bible refers to a group of ancient people known for their great size and strength, often associated with giants. The Rephaim are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, primarily in relation to the land of Canaan and its surrounding regions.
Biblical References and Context1.
Genesis 14:5: The Rephaim are first mentioned in the context of the war of the kings. "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 indicates their presence in the region east of the Jordan River.
2.
Deuteronomy 2:10-11: The Rephaim are described as a formidable people, comparable to the Anakim. "The Emites used to live there, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim. Like the Anakim, they are also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites call them Emites" . This suggests that the Rephaim were known by different names among various cultures.
3.
Deuteronomy 3:11: Og, the king of Bashan, is described as one of the last of the Rephaim. "For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was made of iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide, by the standard cubit" . This highlights the extraordinary size attributed to the Rephaim.
4.
Joshua 12:4: The Rephaim are again associated with King Og. "And the territory of Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and Edrei" . This reinforces their presence in the northern regions of Canaan.
5.
2 Samuel 21:16-22: The Rephaim are linked to the Philistine giants defeated by David and his men. "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" . This passage connects the Rephaim with the descendants of Rapha, suggesting a lineage of giants.
Cultural and Historical SignificanceThe Rephaim are often associated with the ancient Near Eastern concept of giants, which appears in various mythologies and traditions. Their depiction as giants in the Bible serves to emphasize the formidable challenges faced by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. The presence of such mighty peoples underscores the miraculous nature of Israel's victories, attributed to divine intervention.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the Rephaim represent the obstacles and opposition that God's people must overcome through faith and reliance on divine power. Their defeat by the Israelites serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
Geographical AssociationsThe Rephaim are primarily associated with regions east of the Jordan River, including Bashan and the Transjordan area. Their presence in these areas is significant in the context of Israel's conquest and settlement of the land. The Valley of Rephaim, located near Jerusalem, is another geographical reference, indicating their widespread influence.
ConclusionThe Rephaim, as depicted in the Bible, are a symbol of the ancient giants who once inhabited the land of Canaan. Their legacy in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the power and providence of God in delivering His people and establishing them in the land He promised to their forefathers.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Rephaim[GIANTS]
ATS Bible Dictionary
RephaimThe Hebrew word is used in two distinct significations.
1.REPHAIM is used to comprehend all the gigantic races of the Canaanites, of whom there were several families. There were Rephaim beyond Jordan, at Ashtaroth Karnaim, in the time of Abraham,Genesis 14:5; also some in the time of Moses. Og king of Bashan was of the Rephaim. In the time of Joshua, some of their descendants dwelt in the land of Canaan,Joshua 12:4 17:15, and we hear of them in David's time, in the city of Gath,1 Chronicles 20:4-6. The giant Goliath and others were the remains of the Rephaim, or of the kindred family of Anakim. Their magnitude and strength are often spoken of in Scripture. They appear to have excelled in violence and crime, and hence are monuments of divine justice.
2.REPHAIM, the shades or spirits of the departed, dwelling in Sheol or Hades, generally rendered in our version, "the dead" ("dead things,"Job 26:5);Psalm 88:10;Proverbs 2:18; 21:16, etc.
THE VALLEY OF THE REPHAIM, OR GIANTS, was famous in Joshua's time,Joshua 15:8 17:15 18:16, and in the time of David, who here defeated the Philistines,2 Samuel 5:18,221 Chronicles 11:6 14:9. It was a broad and fertile valley,Isaiah 17:5, beginning near the valley of Hinnom, and extending several miles south-west from Jerusalem, when it contracted to a narrow passage leading off towards the Mediterranean. It was in Judah, but near the border of Benjamin.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Lofty men; giants, (
Genesis 14:5;
2 Samuel 21:16, 18, marg. A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah;
Deuteronomy 3:13, R.V.; A.V., "giants"). The aborigines of Palestine, afterwards conquered and dispossessed by the Canaanite tribes, are classed under this general title. They were known to the Moabites as Emim, i.e., "fearful", (
Deuteronomy 2:11), and to the Ammonites as Zamzummim. Some of them found refuge among the Philistines, and were still existing in the days of David. We know nothing of their origin. They were not necessarily connected with the "giants" (R.V., "Nephilim") of
Genesis 6:4. (see
GIANTS.)
Rephaim, Valley of
(Joshua 15:8;18:16, R.V.). When David became king over all Israel, the Philistines, judging that he would now become their uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron, compelling David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the hold" at Adullam (2 Samuel 5:17-22), and the Philistines took up their position in the valley of Rephaim, on the west and south-west of Jerusalem. Thus all communication between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was intercepted. While David and his army were encamped here, there occurred that incident narrated in2 Samuel 23:15-17. Having obtained divine direction, David led his army against the Philistines, and gained a complete victory over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called Baalperazim (q.v.).
A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces in this valley (2 Samuel 5:22). Again warned by a divine oracle, David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing them with great slaughter to Gezer (q.v.). There David kept in check these enemies of Israel. This valley is now called el-Bukei'a.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REPHAIMref'-a-im, re-fa'-im (repha'-im, from rapha', "a terrible one "hence "giant," in1 Chronicles 20:4, yelidhe ha-rapha', "sons of the giant"; the King James Version, Rephaims): A race of aboriginal or early inhabitants East of the Jordan in Ashterothkarnaim (Genesis 14:5) and in the valley of Rephaim Southwest of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8). They associated with other giant races, as the Emim and Anakim (Deuteronomy 2:10, 11) and the Zamzummim (Deuteronomy 2:20). It is probable that they were all of the same stock, being given different names by the different tribes who came in contact with them. The same Hebrew word is rendered "the dead," or "the shades" in various passages (Job 26:5 margin;Psalm 88:10 margin;Proverbs 2:18 margin;Proverbs 9:18 margin;Proverbs 21:16 margin;Isaiah 14:9 margin;Isaiah 26:14, 19 margin). In these instances the word is derived from rapheh, "weak," "powerless," "a shadow" or "shade."
H. Porter
REPHAIM, VALE OF
(`emeq repha'-im; koilas Rhaphaeim, koilas ton Titanon): This was a fertile vale (Isaiah 17:5), to the Southwest of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8;Joshua 18:16; the King James Version "Valley of the Giants"), on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Here David repeatedly defeated the invading Philistines (2 Samuel 5:18, 22;2 Samuel 23:131 Chronicles 11:15;1 Chronicles 14:9). It is located by Josephus between Jerusalem and Bethlehem (Ant., VII, iv, i; xii, 4). It corresponds to the modern el-Biqa`, which falls away to the Southwest from the lip of the valley of Hinnom. The name in ancient times may perhaps have covered a larger area, including practically all the land between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where the head-waters of Nahr Ruben are collected.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
2157. Zamzummim -- another name for theRephaim... 2156, 2157. Zamzummim. 2158 . another name for the
Rephaim. Transliteration:
Zamzummim Phonetic Spelling: (zam-zome') Short Definition: Zamzummin.
...7497. Rapha -- inhab. of an area East of the Jordan
... inhab. of an area East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Rapha Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-faw') Short Definition:Rephaim. Word Origin from raphah Definition inhab....
Library
A Shepherd Boy who was Called to Lead a Nation
... thirty warriors went down to him to the top of the rock, to the fortress of Adullam,
while a force of the Philistines was camped in the Valley ofRephaim....
Chapter xiv
... and in the thirteenth year they revolted; and in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer
and the kings allied with him and smote theRephaim at Ashteroth...
The Reign of David.
... But finally in the valley ofRephaim he was enabled to strike such a crushing blow
to the Philistines as to compel a lasting peace and leave him free to...
Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly...
... audience. [2100] The Anakim, or "sons of Anak." Cf. Deuteronomy 9:2; Joshua
11:21-22. [2101] The Valley ofRephaim. 2 Sam. v. 18....
Canaan
... The Amorite kings of Bashan are described asRephaim, a word which the Authorised
Version translates "giants." It was only on the northern frontier of...
The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... in Genesis 6.must have led to abnormal forms, which would account for the half-human,
or super-human beings, which became the Nephilim, theRephaim, and Anakim...
Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <....
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Kudur-lagamar defeated them one after another"theRephaim near to Ashtaroth-Karnaim,
the Zuzim near Ham,**** the Amim at Shaveh-Kiriathaim, and the Horim on...
Thesaurus
Rephaim (32 Occurrences)... They were not necessarily connected with the "giants" (RV, "Nephilim") of Genesis
6:4. (see GIANTS.).
Rephaim, Valley of.
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
REPHAIM.
...Reph'aim (17 Occurrences)
Reph'aim.Rephaim, Reph'aim. Rephaims . Multi-Version Concordance... Genesis
15:20 and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and theRephaim, (See RSV)....
Rephaites (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were
with him, and smote theRephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham...
Giants (18 Occurrences)
... Nephilim.". (2.) Hebrewsrephaim, a race of giants (Deuteronomy 3:11) who
lived on the east of Jordan, from whom Og was descended....
Zamzummim (1 Occurrence)
... They are identified with theRephaim (Deuteronomy 2:20). They may be the
same as the Zuzim mentioned in connection with theRephaim...
Emim (3 Occurrences)
... Ommiein): Stated to have been the earlier inhabitants of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:10,
11), and to have been of tall stature, and hence, "accountedRephaim (or giants...
Og (22 Occurrences)
... cities (Numbers 21:33 Joshua 12:4), and Og and his people were "utterly destroyed"
(Deuteronomy 3:6). Og is described as the last of theREPHAIM (which see...
Baalperazim (2 Occurrences)
... Called Mount Perazim (Isaiah 28:21). It was near the valley ofRephaim, west
of Jerusalem. Identified with the modern Jebel Aly. Int....
Baal-perazim (2 Occurrences)
... Called Mount Perazim (Isaiah 28:21). It was near the valley ofRephaim, west
of Jerusalem. Identified with the modern Jebel Aly. Int....
Accounted (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV). Deuteronomy 2:11 these also are accountedRephaim, as the Anakim;
but the Moabites call them Emim. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Resources
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