Teraphim in the Bible — Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

teraphim, ter'-a-ph`im (Heb.)-- givers of prosperity; guardians of comforts; household gods; domestic idols; nourishers; the Lares and Penates of the early Hebrews. The teraphim were household gods of the eastern peoples. They were images, supposed to have been made in the form of a man, that were used for purposes of worship in the homes of the people. They were supposed to bring prosperity and health and general domestic good. Even the Israelites used these images much of the time, though the practice was of heathen origin (Gen. 31:34, Judg. 7:5) Meta. Thoughts tending to the outer only for supply, protection, and all good (givers of prosperity, guardians of comforts, nourishers, domestic idols); centering one's trust in the many outer channels through which one's good comes to one, instead of knowing God as one's sustenance and power of development; also the many thoughts and desires that man entertains and gives expression to in outer ways, that should be first of all centered in the one Presence within him. Man should remember always that he does not live by bread alone, by outer ways and means, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God--by the inner creative, sustaining, energizing life, love, power, strength, and intelligence of Spirit.