Resheph
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Resheph in the Bible?
Resheph is a personal name found in Phoenician contexts as a divine name, and also the name of a descendant of Ephraim, eponym of an Ephraimite family or clan.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Resheph as a prominent Canaanite deity of plague clarifies the cultural and religious backdrop against which biblical narratives about divine judgment and healing were composed.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Resheph. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Resheph in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Resheph 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
"Resheph." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/resheph/