Forms: α. pl. 4 theraphym, -yn, teraphyn, -fyn, 4–6 theraphim, -in, 6– teraphim (7 -in); also const. as sing., whence 7– pl. teraphims. β. 9 sing. teraph, pl. teraphs. (a. eccl. L. theraphim (Vulg.), Gr. θεραφίν (LXX.), ad. Heb. th’rāphīm, or Aram. -īn.
A Heb. word of doubtful origin and meaning, plural in form, but often (as a pl. of majesty) sing. in use. Occurs 15 times (on 8 occasions) in O.T., in all of which it is retained in the Revised Version, 1835, but only 6 times (2 occasions) in that of 1611; in other places rendered images5, image2, idols1, idolatry1. The LXX have θεραφίν6 (τὸ2, τά1), εῖδωλα3, κενοταφια2, and other renderings; Vulgate theraphim4, idola6, also statuam, simulacrum, -acra, idolatria, figuras idolarum, once each. In Genesis xxxi. 30, Laban the Aramæan calls them eth ēlōhāi ’my gods.’]
A kind of idols or images, or an idol or image; app. esp. household gods; an object of reverence and means of divination among the ancient Hebrews and kindred peoples.
a. Plural or indefinite.
1382. Wyclif, Judg. xvii. 5. Mychee … made a cocpe [1388 ephod], and theraphyn [1388 theraphym, v.r. a theraphym], gloss that is, the prestis clooth, and mawmettis [1388 ydols]. Ibid. (1382), Hos. iii. 4. The sonys or Yrael shuln sitte … with out teraphyn. Ibid. (1388). With out terafyn [gloss that is, ymagis].
1539. Bible (Great), Judg. xvii. 5. And the man Micah had a temple of goddes, and made an Ephod and Theraphin, (That is to saye, a garment for the prest, and Idolles). [1560 (Geneva) Teraphim.]
1641. Milton, Prel. Episc., ad fin. If any shall strive to set up his ephod and teraphim of antiquity against the brightness and perfection of the gospel.
1707. M. Henry, Serm., Wks. 1853, II. 596/1. Some think Laban’s teraphim were the effigies of his ancestors.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 563. The teraphim were used as instruments of divination.
1862. Stanley, Jew. Ch. (1877), I. iii. 52. Rachel stole the teraphim, the household gods of her family.
b. as sing. with a; pl. teraphims.
1388. [see a].
1624. T. Godwin, Moses & Aaron, ix. (1641), 170. Michal tooke an Image, (a Teraphim) and laid it in the bed.
a. 1631. Donne, Select. (1840), 198. Without an ephod, and without a teraphim.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., vii. (1642), 382. Commonly they had Teraphims, Altars, Groves in high places.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, II. 671/1. The silversmiths … by whom many workmen are employed in making little graven images, teraphims and lares.
1856. Stanley, Sinai & Pal. (1875), 396. A teraphim, and a graven image, and a priesthood of irregular creation.
c. sing. teraph; pl. teraphs.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, II. ix. Khawla to the Teraph turn’d, ‘Tell me where the Prophet’s hand Hides our destined enemy?’
1850. Kitto, Bible Illustr., xxxii. § 6 (1881), 240. Michal has a teraph.
1886. Farrar, Hist. Interpr., vii. 366. Scripture was declared to be a sort of oracular teraph.
d. Comb.
1848. Kingsley, Saint’s Trag., V. ii. My magic teraph-bust, full packed, and labelled.
1905. J. Orr, Probl. O. Test., v. 134. Teraphim-worship, human sacrifices and the like were prominent features of the religion.
