Rephaim

Rephaim

Ref´ay-im

A noun appearing in three contexts in the Bible. The relationship between these three uses is obscure. 1 Those who are dead and inhabit Sheol, also called “shades” (Ps 88:10) or “the dead” (Prov 9:18). 2 Pre-Israelite inhabitants of the Transjordan (Gen 14:5; Deut 2:10-11). 3 “Giants” from Philistia (1Chr 20:4; 1Chr 20:6; 1Chr 20:8; 2Sam 21:16; 2Sam 21:18; 2Sam 21:20).