Teraphim

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtɛɹəfɪm/

Origin

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

Noun

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 & 34Singular use example:- 1 Samuel 19:13 & 16