teraphim

American  

[ter-uh-fim] / ˈtɛr ə fɪm /

plural noun

singular

teraph

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

But Michal, the daughter of Saul, David's wife, let him down from a window, and in his place she put the teraphim, i. e. the image of the deity, into the bed, covered it with a coverlet, laid the net of goat's hair on the face, and gave out that David was sick.

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to the teraphim which Rachel took with her when Jacob fled from her father, there is not much that can be said.

From Project Gutenberg

The size of these teraphim must have differed greatly; that which was placed in David's bed by Michal, his wife, to deceive Saul's messengers, must necessarily have been of considerable height—probably not much under that of a man.

From Project Gutenberg

Teraphim, ter′a-fim, n.pl. a Hebrew word of uncertain derivation, denoting a certain kind of images, idols, or household gods, of a human figure, associated with divination, and commonly used in the popular worship:—sing.

From Project Gutenberg

And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair at the head thereof, and covered it with the clothes.

From Project Gutenberg