Bible Dictionary · R
Rephaim
Lofty men; giants, (Gen 14:5; 2 Sam 21:16, 2 Sam 21:18, marg. A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deut 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”, (Deut 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 Gen 6:4. (See Giants.)
Named in the Bible
6 verses
- 2 Samuel 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
- 2 Samuel 5:22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
- 2 Samuel 23:13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
- 1 Chronicles 11:15 Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
- 1 Chronicles 14:9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
- Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
