Lexical Summary Rephach: Refreshment, relief Original Word: רֶפַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rephah From an unused root apparently meaning to sustain; support; Rephach, an Israelite -- Rephah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Ephraimite NASB Translation Rephah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רֶ֫פַח proper name, masculine in Ehpraimitic source, 1 Chronicles 7:25, Ραφη[α]. Topical Lexicon Name and MeaningRephah bears a name that conveys the idea of relief or healing. Within Israel’s tribal memory, such names often served as testimonies of God’s mercy in the midst of hardship. The word itself evokes rest from affliction and anticipates divine restoration—an undercurrent that quietly threads its way through the line of Ephraim to its most famous descendant, Joshua. Biblical Occurrence Rephah appears only once, in 1 Chronicles 7:25, as part of the genealogy of Ephraim: “Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son”. This single reference situates Rephah in a family tree that stretches from the patriarch Joseph through Ephraim to Joshua, the servant of Moses and conqueror of Canaan (Joshua 24:29–31). Genealogical Significance 1. Link to Joseph and Ephraim Joseph’s second son, Ephraim, received a special blessing from Jacob (Genesis 48:19–20). By naming Rephah among Ephraim’s descendants, Scripture underlines the ongoing fruitfulness of that blessing despite earlier sorrows (1 Chronicles 7:20–24). 2. Bridge to Joshua The lineage in 1 Chronicles 7 progresses from Rephah through several generations to Nun and ultimately to Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses. Thus Rephah occupies a quiet but essential place in preserving the line through which God raised up the man who would lead Israel into the Promised Land. 3. Testament to Historical Reliability Chronicles was written after the Exile to remind the returned community of its heritage. Including lesser-known figures like Rephah signals a deliberate concern for accuracy and continuity, affirming that every generation—prominent or obscure—matters in God’s unfolding purpose. Historical Context The genealogy falls in the chronicler’s broader record of tribal lines (1 Chronicles 1–9). Ephraim’s clan had endured tragedy when raiders killed his sons (7:21). Yet the birth of subsequent sons—including Rephah—demonstrates God’s ability to bring consolation after loss. The chronicler highlights this restoration immediately before naming Rephah, reinforcing the meaning of “relief” embedded in the name. Theological Themes 1. Divine Compassion in Suffering Ephraim “mourned many days” (1 Chronicles 7:22), but the Lord granted new life through Rephah and his brothers. The pattern anticipates later revelations of God’s comfort to the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4). 2. Continuity of Covenant Promise From Joseph’s dreams in Egypt to Joshua’s conquests in Canaan, God’s covenant faithfulness threads through each generation. Rephah’s inclusion underscores that the promise did not skip any link in the chain. 3. Quiet Faithfulness Rephah never performs heroic deeds in the narrative, yet his place is indispensable. Scripture thereby affirms that seemingly ordinary lives participate in extraordinary divine plans (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:5–6). Ministry Applications • Valuing Every Member Just as Rephah’s brief mention contributes to redemptive history, every believer—regardless of public recognition—has a role in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:22–24). • Hope After Loss Congregations walking through grief can look to Ephraim’s account and the birth of Rephah as evidence that God brings relief and healing, encouraging steadfast trust amid sorrow. • Genealogies as Spiritual Formation Teaching on minor biblical names cultivates appreciation for Scripture’s precision and reinforces confidence that God oversees each generation, inspiring families to steward their own spiritual legacies. Conclusion Though Rephah steps onto the biblical stage for only a moment, his name, position, and context together testify to the Lord who heals, restores, and weaves every life—well known or obscure—into His sovereign design. Forms and Transliterations וְרֶ֣פַח ורפח veRefach wə·re·p̄aḥ wərep̄aḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 7:25 HEB: וְרֶ֣פַח בְּנ֗וֹ וְרֶ֧שֶׁף NAS: Rephah was his son KJV: And Rephah [was] his son, INT: Rephah was his son Resheph 1 Occurrence |
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