- REPHAEL healed of God, one of Shemaiah’s sons. He and his brethren,
on account of their “strength for service,” formed one of the divisions of
the temple porters (1 Chronicles 26:7, 8). - REPHAIM lofty men; giants, (Genesis 14:5; 2 Samuel 21:16, 18, marg.
A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deuteronomy 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”, (Deuteronomy
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 Genesis 6:4. (See GIANTS.) - REPHAIM, VALLEY OF (Joshua 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 Samuel 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 Samuel 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
Samuel 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.
- REPHIDIM supports, one of the stations of the Israelites, situated in the
Wady Feiran, near its junction with the Wady esh-Sheikh. Here no water
could be found for the people to drink, and in their impatience they were
ready to stone Moses, as if he were the cause of their distress. At the
command of God Moses smote “the rock in Horeb,” and a copious stream
flowed forth, enough for all the people. After this the Amalekites attacked
the Israelites while they were here encamped, but they were utterly