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Teraphim

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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Nave Topical Bible
• Teraphim
Thompson Chain Reference
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Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
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American Tract Society
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Charles Buck Dictionary
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Easton's Bible Dictionary
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Holman Bible Dictionary
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Hitchcock Bible Names
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Hastings' BibleDictionary
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King James Dictionary
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Morrish Bible Dictionary
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Hawker's Poor Man's Dictionary
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People's Bible Dictionary
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Webster Dictionary
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Watson's Theological Dictionary
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1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia
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McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
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The Nuttall Encyclopedia
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The Jewish Encyclopedia
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Lexicons
Girdleston's OT Synonyms
• The Teraphim
• תְּרָפִים

Teraphim. This word occurs only in the plural, and denotes images connected with magical rites. The derivation of the name is obscure. In one case - 1 Samuel 19:13, 1 Samuel 19:16 - a single statue seems to be intended by the plural. The teraphim, translated, "images", in the Authorized Version, carried away from Laban, by Rachel, were regarded by Laban as gods, and it would, therefore, appear that they were used by those who added corrupt practices to the patriarchal religion.

Teraphim again are included among Micah's images. Judges 17:3-5; Judges 18:17-18; Judges 18:20. Teraphim were consulted, for oracular answers, by the Israelites, Zechariah 10:2, compare Judges 18:5-6; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; 1 Samuel 19:13; 1 Samuel 19:16, Septuagint (LXX) and 2 Kings 23:24, and by the Babylonians, in the case of Nebuchadnezzar. Ezekiel 21:19-22.