teraphim

teraphim , in the Bible, a plural term of uncertain origin referring either to household idols or to idols set up in a local sanctuary, or consulted for purposes of divination. Little is known regarding their form, except that they could be of a person's size, or small enough to be carried by hand.

Teraphim. Household gods mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures. The teraphim appear in the story of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 31. 34) and of Michal and David (1 Samuel 19. 13). They were condemned and removed by Josiah in his reform of the cult (2 Kings 23. 24).

teraphim Statues of household gods; legal as well as religious importance was attached to possessing them, hence the fury of Laban when he discovered that his daughter Rachel had stolen his gods (Gen. 31: 19). They were part of the equipment of the personal shrine of Micaiah, who was much put out when certain Danites persuaded his Levite chaplain to transfer to their shrine at Laish, bringing Micaiah's teraphim with him (Judg. 18: 24). The statues were man-size and, put inside a bed, they effectively deceived Saul's servants who were pursuing David (1 Sam. 19: 13–16). In the reforms of Josiah, teraphim were among the cultic objects banned.