Lexical Summary Rhemphan: Rhemphan Original Word: Ῥεμφάν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Remphan. By incorrect transliteration for a word of Hebrew origin (Kiyuwn); Remphan (i.e. Kijun), an Egyptian idol -- Remphan. see HEBREW Kiyuwn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for Rhompha, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4481: ῬεμφάνῬεμφάν (R G), or Ρ᾽εφαν (L Tr), or Ρ᾽ομφαν (T) (or Ρ᾽ομφα WH, see their Appendix on Acts as below), Remphan (so A. V.), or Rephan (so R. V.), Romphan (or Rompha), a Coptic pr. name of Saturn: Acts 7:43, from Amos 5:26 where the Sept. render by Ραιφαν (or Ρ᾽εφαν) the Hebrew כִּיוּן, thought by many to be equivalent to the Syriac nw)K [ STRONGS NT 4481: Ρ᾽ομφα [ Ρ᾽ομφα, Ρ᾽ομφαν, see Ῥεμφάν.] Topical Lexicon Historical Background During the later wilderness period and the monarchic era, some Israelites adopted astral cults from surrounding nations. Prophets such as Amos denounced this syncretism, naming the “star of your god” that Israel carried in procession. In the Septuagint the name appears as Ῥαιφάν (Rephan), which ancient writers associated with the planet Saturn and with the Mesopotamian deity Kaiwan. By the first century the term had become a byword for Israel’s lapse into idolatry and the consequent exile. Biblical Usage The word occurs once in the Greek New Testament, in Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin: “You took along the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images you made to worship. Therefore I will exile you beyond Babylon.” (Acts 7:43) Role in Stephen’s Speech Stephen cites Amos 5:26 to demonstrate that Israel’s resistance to God did not begin with Jesus but had marked the nation from Moses onward. By invoking Rephan, he exposes the idolatry that lay under the façade of temple worship and underscores the justice of God’s historical judgments. The charge prepares the audience to recognize their greater culpability in rejecting the Righteous One (Acts 7:52). Idolatry and Divine Judgment Rephan symbolizes any substitute for the living God. The prophets warned that covert idolatry, even while outwardly maintaining covenant rituals, provokes exile (2 Kings 17:16-18; Jeremiah 25:4-9). Stephen applies the same principle: continued rebellion will end in loss of covenant privilege—fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Theological Significance 1. Exclusivity of Worship: Rephan illustrates that syncretism cannot coexist with covenant fidelity (Exodus 20:3-5). Relevance for Ministry Today • Discernment: Modern “star-gods” include consumerism, celebrity, and self-promotion. Leaders must name and confront them with biblical clarity. Missional Implications The gospel addresses cultures enamored with astrology and spirituality without truth. Paul’s engagement in Acts 17 and Stephen’s citation of Rephan both show the need to expose false worship while heralding the risen Lord who “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Key Cross-References Amos 5:26; 2 Kings 17:16-23; Jeremiah 7:22-25; Hosea 14:3-4; 1 John 5:21. Summary Strong’s Greek 4481 (Rephan) serves as a potent reminder that substituting anything—for Israel, a star-god; for us, any rival affection—for the Lord invites judgment. Stephen’s single use of the term amplifies the prophetic witness against idolatry and calls every generation to exclusive devotion to the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations Ῥαιφάν Ρομφα Ῥομφά raiphan Rhaiphan RhaiphánLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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