teraphim

English

Etymology

From ecclesiastical Latin theraphim, from Ancient Greek θεραφίν (theraphín), from Hebrew תְּרָפִים (t'rafím, household gods), perhaps from Jewish Aramaic.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtɛɹəfɪm/

Noun

teraphim (plural teraphims)

  1. An idol or other image of reverence and divination among the ancient Hebrews; apparently especially a kind of household god.
    • 1611, And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. — Judges 18:20, King James Version
    • 1658, And [...] the Statuæ Isiacæ, Teraphims, and little Idols, found about the Mummies, do make a decussation or Jacobs Crosse with their armes — Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus (Folio Society 2007, p. 191)
      Plural use example:- Genesis 31:30 & 34
      Singular use example:- 1 Samuel 19:13 & 16

Translations

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