RAPHAIM. — A more general descriptive term for the race that, in the Stone Age, inhabited Transjordan and certain parts of Palestine (v. GIGANTI). The Moabites called them Emim (Deut. 2:10 f.); in the land of Ammon, Zomzommim or Zuzim (ibid. 2:20 f.; already defeated by Chodorlahomor at Ham, Gen. 14:4); Anakim (“long-necked”: Jos. 21:22 f., etc.). The same term (Heb. rêphâ'im) is used for
the inhabitants of šē'ōl (Is. 14:9; 26:14, 19; Ps. 88:11; Prov. 2:18; Job 26:5). Their name evokes the idea of weakness, the lack of substance contained in the root rāphāh (Septuagint: laxpoî, Vulgate medici, from the root rāphā' [Ps. 87:11]; Is. 26:14).
There is general agreement concerning the single root rāphāh; but it has apparently not been possible to provide a plausible explanation of its semantic development. According to M.-J. Lagrange (followed by A. Clamer, F.-M. Abel, etc.), the term was first used for an important class of the dead: heroes, warriors, of imposing appearance (Is. 14:9; cf. Ezek. 32:21-24), and was therefore applied to the aforementioned pre-Semitic race; only later was it extended to all the dead. More probable is what P. Dhorme suggests (v. BIBLICA): R. was the appellation corresponding to the shadowy existence of the dead; at the same time, however, according to ancient Babylonian conceptions, they were regarded as terrifying and vengeful, capable of bringing ruin upon the living through disease and haunting. For this reason those men were called R. (cf. Gen. 6:4) to whom the Bible attributes, more than physical size and stature, obstinate rebellion against God and wickedness (cf. Bar. 3:26 f.).