Rephael
TextsWhat is the meaning of Rephael in the Bible?
Rephael is a named angelic figure found in the Book of Tobit and the Book of Enoch, representing a later development in Jewish angelology rather than an early biblical patriarch.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Rephael as a textual construct from Second Temple literature clarifies the distinction between canonical Hebrew Bible figures and later apocryphal or pseudepigraphal traditions.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Rephael functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Rephael in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Rephael 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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Rephael." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rephael/