Rephaim

"Lofty men; giants, (Gen. 14:5; 2 Sam. 21:16, 18, marg. A.V.," "Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deut. 3:13, R.V.; A.V., "giants")." "The aborigines of Palestine, afterwards conquered and" "dispossessed by the Canaanite tribes, are classed under this" "general title. They were known to the Moabites as Emim, i.e.," "fearful, (Deut. 2:11), and to the Ammonites as Zamzummim. Some" "of them found refuge among the Philistines, and were still" existing in the days of David. We know nothing of their origin. "They were not necessarily connected with the "giants" (R.V.," Nephilim) of Gen. 6:4. (See [529]GIANTS.)

"(Josh. 15:8; 18:16, R.V.). When David became king over all" "Israel, the Philistines, judging that he would now become their" "uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron," "compelling David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the" "hold" at Adullam (2 Sam. 5:17-22), and the Philistines took up" "their position in the valley of Rephaim, on the west and" south-west of Jerusalem. Thus all communication between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was intercepted. While David and his "army were encamped here, there occurred that incident narrated" "in 2 Sam. 23:15-17. Having obtained divine direction, David led" "his army against the Philistines, and gained a complete victory" over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called Baalperazim (q.v.). "A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces in "this valley (2 Sam. 5:22). Again warned by a divine oracle," "David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from" "the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing" them with great slaughter to Gezer (q.v.). There David kept in check these enemies of Israel. This valley is now called el-Bukei'a.

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Rephaim Valley of