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Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Rephaim


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Rephaim Rephaim

The Rephaim are a tall and numerous people, related to the enigmatic Nephilim, Anakim, Emim and Zuzim. It is said that king Og of Bashan was the last of the Rephaim (Deut 3:11). There is also mention of a Valley of The Rephaim (Josh 15:8, 1 Chr 14:9, Isa 17:5).

The name Rephaim is curious to say the least. It most likely has something to do with the verb rapa (rapa 2198), sink down, let drop, be slack. This verb is very common in Scriptures and is used for a wide variety of movement generally in a downward direction or as the result of depleting strength or courage or other motivation. It may mean to drop, to abandon, or refrain. Its object may be wings, hands, people, causes, the setting sun or grass that goes down in flames. It is highly significant that in Biblical necrology the word for dead people or departed spirits is derived from this same verb, namely Rephaim (repaim 2198c): Ps 88:10, Pr 2:18, Pr 9:18, Pr 21:16, Isa 14:9, 26:14 and 26:19.

This latter word is identical to the name Rephaim. Scholars insist that the name Rephaim should be regarded as a different word than Rephaim (repaim 2198c), but we may wonder if the original audience of the Hebrew Bible was aware of that, or even cared about it. The name Nephilim, which seems to be either a synonym or else something close to one, comes from a verb that means to fall.

And while we're opposing scholarly convention, let's also point out the verb rapa (rapa 2196), which means to heal. Often this verb is used in the Bible to connote forgiveness and spiritual healing. See Isa 53:5, for instance.

The Rephaim are the Faded Ones but also the Remedies.



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