1051. Beth Rapha
Lexical Summary
Beth Rapha: House of Rapha

Original Word: בֵּית רָפָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Beyth Rapha'
Pronunciation: bayth rah-fah'
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth raw-faw')
KJV: Beth-rapha
NASB: Beth-rapha
Word Origin: [from H1004 (בַּיִת - house) and H7497 (רָפָא רָפָה - Rephaim)]

1. house of (the) giant
2. Beth-Rapha, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Beth-rapha

From bayith and rapha'; house of (the) giant; Beth-Rapha, an Israelite -- Beth-rapha.

see HEBREW bayith

see HEBREW rapha'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from bayith and Rapha
Definition
an Isr. name
NASB Translation
Beth-rapha (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בֵּית רָפָא proper name, of a location? in Judah; as

proper name, masculine 1 Chronicles 4:12.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

Beth-rapha (“House of Rapha”) appears a single time, in 1 Chronicles 4:12: “Eshton was the father of Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These were the men of Recah”. The name is embedded in the genealogical register of the tribe of Judah.

Genealogical Context in the Tribe of Judah

1 Chronicles 4 records the expansion of Judah’s family lines following the exile, emphasizing God’s preservation of the Messianic tribe. Beth-rapha is listed as a son (or clan) of Eshton, who is himself descended from Hezron through Caleb (compare 1 Chronicles 4:1–11). In the Chronicler’s pattern, several Judahite descendants are identified both by personal names and by their associated settlements. Beth-rapha therefore represents a family group that likely founded, inhabited, or governed a village bearing the same designation.

Possible Meaning and Theological Implications

The compound name combines beth (“house”) with rapha (“healer,” “healing”). Although the Chronicler does not elaborate, the term evokes the covenant promise “I am the LORD who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). For the post-exilic readership, a Judahite clan called “House of Healing” would carry encouragement that the Lord who restored them to the land would also restore their fortunes and health. It subtly reinforces the theme that the genealogies themselves are evidence of divine healing after the nation’s judgment.

Historical and Geographic Considerations

The exact location of Beth-rapha has not been identified archaeologically. Its placement among names such as Recah and Ir-nahash suggests a cluster of Judahite settlements in the lowlands or hill country southwest of Jerusalem. The Chronicler’s focus is not on geography per se but on demonstrating the breadth of Judah’s resettlement. Beth-rapha testifies that even lesser-known clans participated in rebuilding a covenant community around the Second Temple.

Connections with the Larger Canon

1. The “house” motif often marks covenant continuity (Ruth 4:11; 2 Samuel 7:16). Beth-rapha joins that pattern as a microcosm of Yahweh’s ongoing work within Judah.
2. The healing motif reappears prophetically: “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds” (Jeremiah 30:17); “The Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). Beth-rapha can be read as an early anticipatory signpost toward these promises, culminating in the Messiah who came “to heal the broken-hearted” (Luke 4:18 quoting Isaiah 61:1).

Ministry Application

a. Encouragement for overlooked believers: Beth-rapha never re-enters the narrative, yet it is permanently recorded in Scripture. Hidden faithfulness still matters to God.

b. Corporate identity: Local churches today are called to function as “houses of healing,” extending Christ’s restoration to communities.

c. Hope after discipline: Just as Judah’s exiles returned and resettled, modern believers can trust the Lord to rebuild lives marred by sin or suffering.

Summary

Beth-rapha stands as a brief yet meaningful witness within Judah’s genealogy. Though obscure in human history, its name encapsulates the divine character—Healer of His people—and affirms that every family within God’s covenant account contributes to the unfolding plan of redemption.

Forms and Transliterations
רָפָא֙ רפא rā·p̄ā raFa rāp̄ā
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 4:12
HEB: אֶת־ בֵּ֤ית רָפָא֙ וְאֶת־ פָּסֵ֔חַ
NAS: became the father of Beth-rapha and Paseah,
KJV: begat Bethrapha, and Paseah,
INT: Eshton became of Beth-rapha and Paseah and Tehinnah

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1051
1 Occurrence


rā·p̄ā — 1 Occ.

1050
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