Meaning of “Rephaim”

1. Rephaim — lofty men; giants, (Gen. 14:5; 2 Sam. 21:16, 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 »T0001474.)

2. Rephaim, Valley of — (Josh. 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 Sam. 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 in 2 Sam. 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 Sam. 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.

2 results from Easton's Bible Dictionary

You may wish to look at these similar words...
Rabboni Raven Rehoboam Rephaim Rephaim, Valley of Reuben Reuben, Tribe of

Bible Search for “Rephaim”

1. Genesis Chapter 14 Verse 5 — And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emins in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

2. Genesis Chapter 15 Verse 20 — And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaim,

3. 2 Samuel Chapter 5 Verse 22 — And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

4. 2 Samuel Chapter 5 Verse 18 — The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

5. 2 Samuel Chapter 23 Verse 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.

6. 1 Chronicles Chapter 11 Verse 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.

7. 1 Chronicles Chapter 14 Verse 9 — And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

8. Isaiah Chapter 17 Verse 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.

8 results from Bible Search