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רָפָא

𐤓𐤐𐤀

Rafa

H7497 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רפא to heal, restore (root, but distinct usage in רָפָא as proper noun/common noun)

Definition

A proper noun and common noun denoting either (1) a member of the ancient population groups referred to as Rephaim—described in biblical texts as large or formidable peoples inhabiting the land before and during the early Israelite period—or (2) a personal name (Rapha), or (3) in some instances, a generic term for giant(s). The word carries nuances of an ancient, possibly legendary class of people thought to possess great stature or strength, and at times stands as a toponym or patronym within certain genealogies.

Semantic Range

Rephaim (mythical or legendary people of great size); individual named Rapha; giants; ancestral spirits (later poetic sense); name used as a patronymic or toponym.

Root / Etymology

The term רָפָא is associated with the root ר-פ-א, which elsewhere means 'to heal,' but in this context the connection is uncertain or perhaps based on a different root. The sense of 'giant' or 'Rephaim' is not clearly etymologically derived from the healing sense, and the derivation is ultimately unclear. The form may also connect to a related root meaning 'to be weak' in some contexts, possibly suggesting the fading or diminished status of the Rephaim as 'shades' or spirits in later periods, though this is debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Rephaim (רְפָאִים) are referenced as pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan, often associated with great physical stature and strength (see Deuteronomy 2:11; Joshua 12:4). In genealogical lists, Rapha is either an individual's name or an eponymous ancestor associated with the Rephaim (e.g. 2 Samuel 21:16-22). Over time, particularly in exilic and post-exilic literature, the term developed a secondary sense: as a poetic or metaphorical designation for the dead or ancestral spirits (Isaiah 14:9; compare Ugaritic rpʼm). English translations frequently render רָפָא or its plural as 'giant(s)' or leave it transliterated as 'Rephaim.' This may obscure the distinct ancient Near Eastern conceptual background of the term, which links the Rephaim with primordial figures or ancestral dead in broader West Semitic mythology.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or רָפָה; from רָפָא in the sense of invigorating; a giant; giant, Rapha, Rephaim(-s). See also בֵּית רָפָא.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רפא (r-p-ʾ) — heal, restore; (as noun) Rephaim, giant-people, Rapha

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3416 יִרְפְּאֵל El Heals
H4832 מַרְפֵּא healing remedy
H7495 רָפָא with the healers
H7496 רָפָא Rephaim giants
H7498 רָפָא Rapha

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7497-05 רְפָאִים֙ refaim HNgmsa Rephaim Rephaim-giants 13
H7497-02 הָ/רְפָאִֽים harefaim HTd/Ngmpa of the Rephaim the Rephaim 5
H7497-04 לְ/הָ/רָפָֽה leharafah HR/Td/Ngmsa to the Rapha to the Rephaite 2
H7497-03 לְ/הָ/רָפָֽא leharafa HR/Td/Ngmsa to the Rapha to the Rephaite 2
H7497-01 הָ/רָפָ֗ה harafah HTd/Ngmsa the Rapha the Rephaite 2
H7497-06 וְ/הָֽ/רְפָאִ֑ים veharefaim HC/Td/Np and the Rephaim and the Rephaim 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7497-05 Genesis 14:5 רְפָאִים֙ refaim HNgmsa the Rephaim Rephaim-giants
H7497-02 Genesis 15:20 הָ/רְפָאִֽים harefaim HTd/Ngmpa Rephaim the Rephaim
H7497-05 Deuteronomy 2:11 רְפָאִ֛ים refaim HNp Rephaim Rephaim-giants
H7497-05 Deuteronomy 2:20 רְפָאִ֥ים refaim HNp Rephaim Rephaim-giants
H7497-05 Deuteronomy 2:20 רְפָאִ֤ים refaim-2 HNp Rephaim Rephaim-giants
H7497-02 Deuteronomy 3:11 הָ/רְפָאִים֒ harefaim HTd/Np of the Rephaim the Rephaim
H7497-05 Deuteronomy 3:13 רְפָאִֽים refaim HNp of Rephaim Rephaim-giants
H7497-02 Joshua 12:4 הָ/רְפָאִ֑ים harefaim HTd/Np of the Rephaim the Rephaim
H7497-02 Joshua 13:12 הָ/רְפָאִ֔ים harefaim HTd/Np of the Rephaim the Rephaim
H7497-05 Joshua 15:8 רְפָאִ֖ים refaim HNp Rephaim Rephaim-giants
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