Beth-Rapha
LocationsGeographical Setting
Beth-Rapha is a toponym mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
What is the meaning of Beth-Rapha in the Bible?
The name Beth-Rapha appears exclusively in the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 4:12, where it is associated with the descendants of Shelah. Its precise geographical identification remains uncertain due to the lack of corroborating archaeological or textual evidence linking it to a known site.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the obscurity of Beth-Rapha underscores the challenges in mapping the full extent of Judahite settlement patterns and clarifies that not all biblical names correspond to easily identifiable modern locations, thereby refining historical interpretations of tribal territories.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Beth-Rapha in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Beth-Rapha clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.