Rapha
“He healed; or giant”
Summary
Rapha is the name of two Benjamites in Scripture and also appears as an ancestor of certain Philistine giants slain by David's warriors.
☩Benjamites Named Rapha
The first Rapha mentioned in Scripture is listed as one of the sons of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8:2. His name does not appear in the original register of Benjamin's family in Genesis 46:21, and he may be a variation of the name Rosh. The second Rapha was a descendant of King Saul through Jonathan, being the son of Binea and father of Eleasah in the eighth generation from David's friend Jonathan. He is called Rephaiah in 1 Chronicles 9:43.
☩Ancestor of Philistine Giants
The name Rapha (or Raphah) also appears in the margins of several passages where the text reads "the giant." In 2 Samuel 21:16-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8, certain Philistine champions who were slain by David's warriors are described as having been "born to the Rapha" in Gath. This usage suggests Rapha was either an eponymous ancestor of a race of giants or a term equivalent to Rephaim, referring to the ancient race of tall people. These Philistine warriors were notably large and formidable opponents whom David's mighty men defeated.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rapha or Raphah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rapha, Raphah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rapha," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Rapha," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rapha," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).