Original Word: רָפוּא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Raphuw'
Pronunciation: rah-FOO
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-foo')
KJV: Raphu
NASB: Raphu
Word Origin: [passive participle of H7495 (רָפָא רָפָה - heal)]

1. cured
2. Raphu, an Israelite

Raphu

Passive participle of rapha'; cured; Raphu, an Israelite -- Raphu.

see HEBREW rapha'

Word Origin
from rapha
Definition
"cured," a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Raphu (1).

רָפוּא proper name, masculine in Benjamin, Numbers 13:9, Ραφον[αυ].

Name and Meaning

Raphu (Hebrew רָפוּא) is a personal name that carries a nuance of restoration or healing. The single biblical bearer of the name is remembered primarily through his son, Palti.

Biblical Occurrence

Numbers 13:9: “from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu.”

This sole reference positions Raphu in the generations that departed Egypt and camped at Kadesh-barnea when the twelve spies were commissioned.

Historical Setting

1. Exodus Generation. Raphu belonged to the cohort of Israelite men who survived Egyptian bondage, witnessed the plagues, crossed the Red Sea, and received the covenant at Sinai. His lifetime overlaps the formative period when the LORD was reshaping a slave people into a priestly nation (Exodus 19:6).
2. Tribal Representation. As father to Benjamin’s spy, Raphu represents the tribe in the national census and exploration mission (Numbers 1; 13). The selection of households for that assignment underscores the tribal structure and accountability embedded in Israel’s theocracy.

The Family of Benjamin

Benjamin’s line is repeatedly showcased in Scripture for both its frailty and its surprising prominence:
• Palti son of Raphu is one of the ten spies who yield to fear (Numbers 13:31-33).
• Ehud, Saul, Jonathan, Mordecai, and the Apostle Paul later arise from the same tribe, illustrating divine grace that can bring greatness out of a historically small and often embattled clan (Genesis 49:27; Judges 3:15; 1 Samuel 9; Esther 2:5; Philippians 3:5). Raphu thus sits in the early segment of a lineage that will oscillate between faithlessness and heroism.

Theological Significance

1. Corporate Solidarity. Although Raphu’s name appears only once, the episode involving his son clarifies that leadership decisions were rooted in family identity and that covenant responsibility extended beyond the individual to the household (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
2. Faith Versus Fear. Palti’s failure to believe the LORD’s promise cast a shadow over his father’s legacy. The record warns every generation that spiritual inheritance may be compromised when faith is not actively nurtured (Psalm 78:5-8).

Lessons for Ministry

• Discipling the Next Generation. Raphu’s obscurity contrasts with the public role of his son, reminding parents, pastors, and teachers that private formation precedes public ministry (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Evaluating Success. Scripture values faith over fame. Raphu’s lasting contribution is not his achievements, but whether his household upheld covenant trust. His account invites contemporary leaders to prioritize spiritual substance above visible results (Hebrews 11:6).
• Tribal and Congregational Accountability. Just as Raphu’s family was named when Israel faced a turning point, modern congregations must recognize their collective witness at critical cultural moments (Matthew 5:14-16).

Typological and Redemptive Themes

The contrast between Raphu’s name (suggesting healing) and Palti’s unbelief points ahead to the greater Son of Benjamin, Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect faith and offers true healing to Israel and the nations (Isaiah 53:4-5; John 5:1-9). Where the first Benjaminite spy faltered, the Messiah succeeds, bringing the ultimate “good report” of God’s kingdom (Luke 4:18-19).

Application for Contemporary Believers

1. Guard the Heritage of Faith. A godly lineage is a stewardship, not an entitlement (1 Corinthians 10:12).
2. Courage in Crisis. When called to “spy out” cultural landscapes, the church must respond like Caleb and Joshua, not Palti, trusting the sufficiency of God’s promises (Romans 4:20-21).
3. Hope Beyond Failure. Even though the tribe of Benjamin produced a faithless spy, it later gave the world Paul the apostle. Personal or familial failures can be redeemed when surrendered to Christ (Romans 8:28).

Raphu’s brief appearance therefore serves as a quiet but potent reminder that every name recorded in Scripture advances the unfolding drama of redemption and summons each generation to embrace courageous, covenant-anchored faith.

רָפֽוּא׃ רפוא׃ rā·p̄ū raFu rāp̄ūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts