teraphim

American  

[ter-uh-fim] / ˈtɛr ə fɪm /

plural noun

• teraph
  singular

1. idols or images reverenced by the ancient Hebrews and kindred peoples, apparently as household gods.

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Etymology

Origin of teraphim

1350–1400; < Hebrew tərāphīm; replacing Middle English theraphym < Late Latin theraphim (Vulgate) < Greek theraphín (Septuagint) < Hebrew, as above

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

teraphim teraph

And forgive too,' she breathed, 'that I stole the teraphim.'

From Time Magazine Archive

In one document, e.g., teraphim are found in the house of a devout worshipper of Jehovah, 1 Sam. xix.

From Introduction to the Old Testament by John Edgar McFadyen

And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats' hair at the head thereof.

From Heroes of Israel Text of the Hero Stories with Notes and Questions for Young Students by Theodore Gerald Soares

In cases where a temple stood before the altar it contained an ephod and teraphim, a kind of images before which the lot was cast by the priest.

From Prolegomena by Julius Wellhausen

The home of the average Israelite had its teraphim and other domestic divinities.

From The Right and Wrong Uses of the Bible by R. Heber Newton

The teraph told me last night that you would be here....'

From Hypatia — or New Foes with an Old Face by Charles Kingsley

After all, I liked you from the first moment I saw you, and asked the teraph about you, and I got an answer—such an answer!

From Hypatia — or New Foes with an Old Face by Charles Kingsley

Stay—I will go and consult the teraph; it may know where he is....'

From Hypatia — or New Foes with an Old Face by Charles Kingsley