Overview:
Remphan is a term mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament book of Acts. It is associated with idolatry and the worship of false gods by the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. The name Remphan is believed to be linked to an ancient deity, possibly connected to the planet Saturn, and is indicative of the syncretistic practices that the Israelites fell into, contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Remphan is found in Acts 7:43, where Stephen, the first Christian martyr, addresses the Sanhedrin. In his speech, Stephen recounts the history of Israel and their repeated disobedience to God. He quotes the prophet Amos, highlighting the idolatrous practices of the Israelites:

"You took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon." (Acts 7:43)

This passage is a direct citation from the Old Testament, specifically Amos 5:26, although there is a variation in the name used. In Amos, the name appears as "Chiun," which is thought to be a reference to the same or a similar deity.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The mention of Remphan in Acts is part of Stephen's broader critique of Israel's history of idolatry. The Israelites, despite witnessing God's mighty acts and receiving His law, often turned to the worship of foreign gods. This idolatry was a recurring issue, leading to divine judgment and exile.

The name Remphan is believed to be of Egyptian or Semitic origin, and it is often associated with the worship of celestial bodies, particularly the planet Saturn. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the worship of stars and planets was common, and such practices infiltrated Israelite worship at various times.

Theological Significance:
The reference to Remphan serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God. It underscores the biblical theme of the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people. The Israelites' adoption of foreign deities like Remphan was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of other gods.

Stephen's use of this historical example in his speech to the Sanhedrin was intended to convict his audience of their own spiritual infidelity and resistance to God's messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus Christ. It highlights the continuity of Israel's disobedience and the need for repentance and true worship.

Conclusion:
While the specific identity and nature of Remphan remain somewhat obscure, its mention in Scripture serves as a powerful illustration of the persistent struggle against idolatry faced by God's people. It calls believers to examine their own lives for any form of idolatry and to remain steadfast in their devotion to the one true God.Remphan

prepared; arrayed

Remphan

(Acts 7:43) and Chiun, (Amos 5:26) have been supposed to be names of an idol worshipped secretly by the Israelites in the wilderness, difficulty has been occasioned by this corresponding occurrence of two names so wholly different in sound. The most reasonable opinion seems to be that Chiun was a Hebrew or Semitic name, and Remphan an Egyptian equivalent substituted by the LXX. This idol corresponded probably to Saturn or Molech. The mention of Chiun or Remphan as worshipped in the desert shows that this idolatry was, in part at least that of foreigners, and no doubt of those settled in lower Egypt.

Remphan

An idol, the same as Chiun. Compare Am 5:26 Acts 7:43. See CHIUN.

(Acts 7:43; R.V., "Rephan"). In Amos 5:26 the Hebrews Chiun (q.v.) is rendered by the LXX. "Rephan," and this name is adopted by Luke in his narrative of the Acts. These names represent the star-god Saturn or Moloch. REMPHAN

rem'-fan.

See REPHAN.

4481. Rhemphan -- Remphan.
... Rhemphan. 4482 . Remphan. ... Remphan. By incorrect transliteration for a word of Hebrew
origin (Kiyuwn); Remphan (ie Kijun), an Egyptian idol -- Remphan. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4481.htm - 6k

At First God Deemed it Sufficient to Inscribe the Natural Law, or ...
... And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Remphan, [3973]
figures which ye made to worship them;" [3974] pointing out plainly, that the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv at first god deemed.htm

As we Allege, However, that He Has Fallen into Confusion in ...
... Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures
which you made to worship them." [4091] And in the writings of Paul, who ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter viii as we allege.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... Besides these, there was the planet Saturn, or as they called him, Moloch or Remphan,
of whom they had a huge brazen statue with the hands held a little apart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Acts vii. 35
... Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures
which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." (v ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii acts vii 35.htm

The Birthnight of Freedom
... and mixed them up with the worship of God, bearing about in the wilderness the
tabernacle of Moloch and the image of their god Remphan, and making the calf in ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xii the birthnight of.htm

Acts VII
... (43) You have even taken up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan,
figures which you made, to worship them; and I will carry you away ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... Was there no idolatry before Pagan Rome? Whence then came the worship of "Moloch"
and "Remphan," and "Chium," in the wilderness (Acts 7:43. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Remphan (1 Occurrence)
... Moloch. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REMPHAN. rem'-fan. See REPHAN.
Multi-Version Concordance Remphan (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/r/remphan.htm - 7k

Removing (24 Occurrences)

/r/removing.htm - 14k

Rend (35 Occurrences)

/r/rend.htm - 18k

Homage (51 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan,
the forms which ye made to do homage to them; and I will transport you beyond ...
/h/homage.htm - 21k

Forms (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan,
the forms which ye made to do homage to them; and I will transport you beyond ...
/f/forms.htm - 13k

Transport (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan,
the forms which ye made to do homage to them; and I will transport you beyond ...
/t/transport.htm - 12k

Dwelling (340 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 and ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan --
the figures that ye made to bow before them, and I will remove your ...
/d/dwelling.htm - 36k

Chiun (1 Occurrence)
... The LXX. translated the word by Rhephan, which became corrupted into Remphan,
as used by Stephen (Acts 7:43; but RV, "Rephan"). ...
/c/chiun.htm - 8k

Bow (248 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 and ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan --
the figures that ye made to bow before them, and I will remove your ...
/b/bow.htm - 42k

Yea (867 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan,
figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond ...
/y/yea.htm - 37k

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