Rephan
TextsWhat is the meaning of Rephan in the Bible?
Rephan is the Greek transliteration used in Acts 7:43 for the Hebrew word Chiun, which refers to the planet Saturn or its associated idolatrous worship.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Rephan clarifies the specific celestial body condemned in the New Testament account of Stephen's speech, linking the Israelites' historical idolatry to the worship of Saturn.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Rephan 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 Rephan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Rephan clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Acts 7:43
Related Topics
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
"Rephan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rephan/