Strong's Lexicon teraphim: Household gods, idols, images Original Word: תְּרָפִים Word Origin: The origin of the word "teraphim" is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from an ancient Semitic root related to household gods or idols. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for "teraphim" in the Strong's Greek Dictionary, as the concept is specific to Hebrew culture and texts. However, the general term for idols in Greek is εἴδωλον (eidolon - Strong's G1497). Usage: The term "teraphim" refers to small idols or household gods that were used in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites. These objects were often associated with divination and were believed to provide protection, guidance, or blessings to the household. In the Bible, teraphim are generally viewed negatively, as they are associated with idolatry and false worship, contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near East, teraphim were common household items, often representing deceased ancestors or deities believed to influence the well-being of the family. They were typically small, portable figures made of wood, clay, or metal. Despite the clear prohibition against idolatry in the Mosaic Law, some Israelites retained these objects, reflecting the syncretism and religious practices of surrounding cultures. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol NASB Translation household idol (2), household idols (10), idolatry (1), teraphim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תְּרָפִים noun masculineZechariah 10:2 plural (= plural of majesty NöZMG xlii (1888), 476) a kind of idol, object of reverence, and means of divination (√ and etymology-meaning dubious, compare GFMHast. DB TERAPHIM SayZA ii. 195 (citing Neubauer, and Assyrian tarpû, spectre), al. √ רפא, compare רְפָאִים); — always ׳ת: — portable and sometimes small Genesis 31:19,34: Genesis 31:35 (called אֱלֹהִים Genesis 31:30, all E), but in size and shape like a man 1 Samuel 19:13,16; in household shrine (see also l.c.) Judges 17:5 (+ אֵפוֺד, compare GFMJu), Judges 18:14,17 (both + אֵפוֺד, מֶּסֶל, מַסֵּכָה), compare Judges 18:20 (omitted מַסֵּכָה), Hosea 3:4 (+ ׳א, מַצֵּבָה, וֶבַךְ); condemned 1 Samuel 15:23; 2 Kings 23:24 (+ גִּלֻּלִים); used in divining (by king of Babylonian ), ׳שָׁאַל בַּתּ Ezekiel 21:26 (+ קִלְקַל בַּתִצִּים, רָאָח בַּכָּבֵד); as giving empty oracles Zechariah 10:2 ("" הַקּוֺסְמִים). — See GFMl.c. NowArchaeology ii. 23 StaBlb. Theol. d. A. T. under the word. תִּרְצָה see רצה. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance idolatry, images, teraphim Plural from rapha'; a healer; Teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol -- idols(-atry), images, teraphim. see HEBREW rapha' Forms and Transliterations בַּתְּרָפִ֔ים בתרפים הַתְּרָפִ֖ים הַתְּרָפִ֗ים הַתְּרָפִ֣ים הַתְּרָפִ֨ים הַתְּרָפִֽים׃ התרפים התרפים׃ וּתְרָפִ֔ים וּתְרָפִ֖ים וּתְרָפִֽים׃ ותרפים ותרפים׃ bat·tə·rā·p̄îm batteraFim battərāp̄îm hat·tə·rā·p̄îm hatteraFim hattərāp̄îm ū·ṯə·rā·p̄îm uteraFim ūṯərāp̄îmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 31:19 HEB: רָחֵ֔ל אֶת־ הַתְּרָפִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְאָבִֽיהָ׃ NAS: stole the household idols that were her father's. KJV: had stolen the images that [were] her father's. INT: stole Rachel the household were father's Genesis 31:34 Genesis 31:35 Judges 17:5 Judges 18:14 Judges 18:17 Judges 18:18 Judges 18:20 1 Samuel 15:23 1 Samuel 19:13 1 Samuel 19:16 2 Kings 23:24 Ezekiel 21:21 Hosea 3:4 Zechariah 10:2 15 Occurrences |
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