Chap. IX Their Teraphim
Concerning the Teraphim, two things are especially to be enquired. First, what they were? Secondly, for what use? the word תרף Taraph, signifieth in general the compleat Image of a man. Michal took an image, (a Teraphim) and laid it in the bed, 1 Sam. 19. 13. More particularly it signifieth an Idol or image made for mens private use in their own houses, so that these images seem to have been their Penates or Lares, their houshould gods; wherefore hast thou stoln my gods? my Teraphim, Gen. 31. 30. And this man Michal had an house of gods, and made an Ephod and Teraphim, Jud. 17. 5. Because of the worship exhibited to these Idols: Hence from the Hebrew Taraph, as some read it, Tharaph, cometh the Greek θεραπεύειν, To worship.497 The manner how these Images were made, is fondly conceived thus among the Rabbines;498 They killed a man that was a first-born son, and wrung off his head, and seasoned it with salt, and spices, and wrote upon a plate of gold the name of an unclean spirit, and put it under the head upon a wall, and lighted Candles before it, and worshipped it. With such Laban spake, say they. But, without controversie, the Teraphim which Michal put in the bed, was a compleat statur, or Image of a man. The use of these Images was, to consult with them as with Oracles, concerning things for the present unknown, or future to come. To this purpose they were made by Astrologers499 under certain constellations, capable of heavenly influences, whereby they were enabled to speak. The Teraphims have spoken vanity, Zach. 10. 2. And among other reasons why Rachel stole away her Fathers Images, this is thought to be one, that Laban might not by consulting with these Images discover what way Jacob took in his flight.
Notes
497 οὐδ’ ἀθανάτους θεραπεύειν ἤθελον. Hesiod. Ἔργ. καὶ ἡμέρ.
498 R. Eliezer. vid. Eliam Thisbit.
499 Aben. Ezra. Gen. 31.