(See IDOL.) Sometimes left untranslated; elsewhere "images ... idolatry" (Genesis 31:19; Genesis 31:30; Genesis 31:34; Genesis 35:2, "strange gods".) Worshipped by Abram's kindred in Mesopotamia (Joshua 24:14). Images in human form; Maurer thinks busts, cut off at the waist, from taaraph "to cut off," tutelary household gods; small enough to be hidden beneath the camel's furniture or palanquin on which Rachel sat. Michal put them in David's bed to look like him (1 Samuel 19:13; Judges 17:5; Judges 18:14; Judges 18:17-18; Judges 18:20). Condemned as idolatrous (1 Samuel 15:23; 2 Kings 23:24).
Used for divination (Ezekiel 21:21; Zechariah 10:2), and to secure good fortune to a house, as the penates. From Arabic tarafa , "to enjoy the good things of life," according to Gesenius. The Syriac teraph means "to inquire" of an oracle, Hebrew toreph "an inquirer" (Hosea 3:4-5). The Israelites used the teraphim for magic purposes and divination, side by side with the worship of Jehovah. Related perhaps to seraphim , the recognized symbol attending Jehovah; so perverted into a private idol meant to represent Him, a talisman whereby to obtain responses, instead of by the lawful priesthood through the Urim and Thummim. (See GATE.)
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
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