Lexical Definition

‎רָפָא‎ râphâʼ (raw-faw') Rapha ^N:N-M-T
or רָפָה râphâh (raw-faw'); from ‎רָפָא‎ in the sense of invigorating

giant, Rapha, Rephaim(-s). See also ‎בֵּית רָפָא‎.

• a giant

1) giants, Rephaim
1a) old tribe of giants

See Greek: ἰατρός

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.21.16
• father of: Goliath (גׇּלְיַת), Ishbi-benob (יִשְׁבּוֹ בְּנֹב), Saph (סַף), Lahmi (לַחְמִי), huge_man (מִדָּה); also translated "giant"
• Also named: re.pha.im (‎ר‎ְ‎פ‎ָ‎א‎ִ‎ים‎ "Raphaite" רָפָא)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎רְפָאִים‎ proper name, of a people old race of giants (perhaps = I. ‎׳‎‎ר‎, as extinct and powerless; see especially WRS in Dr^{Deut 2:11}; or as shadowy, vaguely known, Schw^{ZAW xviii (1898), 127 ff.} see also Sta^l.c.); — ancient inhabitants of Canaan [west of Jordan?], Gen 15:20; Josh 17:15 (JE), compare 1Chr 20:4 (see II. ‎רָפָה‎ above); hence ‎׳‎‎עֶמֶמק ר‎, plain south of Jerusalem 2Sam 5:18; 2Sam 5:22; 2Sam 23:13; 1Chr 11:15; 1Chr 14:9; Isa 17:5; Josh 15:8; Josh 18:16 (P); ‎׳‎‎ר‎ east of Jordan Deut 2:11 (|| ‎עֲנָקִים‎; tall, compare vDeut 2:10), vDeut 2:20 (|| id.; tall; = Zamzummim); in Bashan, Gen 14:5, Og the last of them Deut 3:11 (of huge size), Josh 12:4; Josh 13:12 (D); ‎׳‎‎אֶרֶץ ר‎ Deut 2:20; Deut 3:13. ᵐ5 Ραφαειν[μ]; οἱ γίγαντες Gen 14:5 + 4 t.; τῶν Τιτάνων 2Sam 5:18; 2Sam 5:22 + (ᵐ5^L) 2Sam 23:13. ‎רִפוֺת‎ see ‎רִיפָה‎ below ‎ריף‎. p. 937.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • A gigantic man • Ancestor of Philistine giants; his descendants fought against David's warriors.

Giant living at the time of United Monarchy

Rapha was the ancestor of several Philistine giants who fought against David and his mighty warriors.

• A gigantic man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.21.16;
• referred to as Rapha רָפָא, or Raphaite (KJV, ESV= "giant") רָפָא;
• father of Goliath גׇּלְיַת, Ishbi-benob יִשְׁבּוֹ בְּנֹב, Saph סַף, Lahmi לַחְמִי, huge_man מִדָּה.

Rapha is mentioned in 2 Samuel 21 and 1 Chronicles 20 as the ancestor of several Philistine giants who fought against King David and his mighty warriors. The name "Rapha" is used to describe these giants as descendants of the Rephaim, a people known for their great stature and strength (Deuteronomy 2:11, 20-21). In 2 Samuel 21:16, Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, wielded a bronze spear and threatened to kill David, but Abishai came to David's aid and killed the giant. Another descendant of Rapha, Saph (also called Sippai in 1 Chronicles 20:4), was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite (2 Samuel 21:18). In 2 Samuel 21:20 and 1 Chronicles 20:6, another descendant of Rapha is described as a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. This giant was killed by Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David's brother (2 Samuel 21:21; 1 Chronicles 20:7). These battles against the descendants of Rapha are summarized in 2 Samuel 21:22 and 1 Chronicles 20:8, emphasizing that they were defeated by David and his servants. The mention of Rapha and his descendants highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, as well as the bravery and skill of David and his warriors in facing and defeating these formidable enemies. The victory over the giants also demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to give the Israelites victory over their enemies and to establish David's kingdom.

All entries for Rapha: רָפָא ☩ רָפָא

Related Profiles:

• Goliath (child)
• Ishbi-benob (child)
• Saph (child)
• Lahmi (child)
• huge_man (child)