Bible Dictionary
Rephael
Rephael means “God has healed.” He was a son of Shemaiah and a leader among the temple gatekeepers.
Definition
Rephael means “God has healed.” He was a son of Shemaiah and a member of the family of Obed-edom. His family served among the temple gatekeepers.
Biblical Usage
Rephael and his brothers were assigned to the temple-porters because of their strength for service. He is presented as the firstborn of Obed-edom’s family in the supplied material.
Historical Background
The name also appears in Tobit and Enoch. The supplied material regards it as probably belonging to a group of later name formations.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Healed of God, one of Shemaiah’s sons. He and his brethren, on account of their “strength for service,” formed one of the divisions of the temple porters (1 Chr. 26:7, 8).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(healed of God), son of Shemaiah, the first-born of Obed-edom. (1 Chronicles 26:7) (B.C. about 1015.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re'-fa-el, ref'-a-el (repha'el, "God has healed"; Rhaphael): The eponym of a family of gatekeepers (1Ch 26:7). The name occurs in Tobit and Enoch ("Raphael"); it probably belongs to a group of late formations. See Gray, HPN, 225, 311.</p>