🔼The name Rephidim: Summary
- Meaning
- Supports, Studs
- Etymology
- From the verb רפד (rapad), to spread or support.
🔼The name Rephidim in the Bible
Rephidim is a place where Israel camped and defeated the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8). At Rephidim Moses strikes a rock so that it gives water (Exodus 17:6), and names the place Massah and Meribah. He does the same thing again at another place called Meribah, but this time in anger (Numbers 20:12). Hence he only gets to view the Promised Land from Mount Abarim, but he is not allowed to enter.
Our name is spelled רפידים in Exodus 17:1 and 19:2, and רפידם in Exodus 17:8, Numbers 33:14 and 33:15.
🔼Etymology of the name Rephidim
The name Rephidim is a plural noun taken from the verb רפד (rapad) meaning to spread or support:
רפד
The verb רפד (rapad) means to spread or support. The noun רפידה (repida) describes an element of an elaborate royal chair.
🔼Rephidim meaning
For a meaning of the name Rephidim, Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Props or Supports. NOBSE Study Bible Name List proposes Rests.