Rephael רְפָאֵל
A gatekeeper of the temple during David's reign
Who is Rephael in the Bible?
Rephael was a gatekeeper of the temple during the reign of King David, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26:7. He was a descendant of Obed-Edom, a Levite who had been entrusted with caring for the Ark of the Covenant. As a gatekeeper, Rephael was responsible for guarding the temple entrances and controlling access to ensure only authorized individuals could enter, while also contributing to the maintenance and organization of the sacred space. His inclusion in the biblical record underscores the significance of the gatekeepers' role in preserving the sanctity and security of the temple, the center of Israelite worship.
Biography
Rephael is briefly mentioned in the book of 1 Chronicles as one of the gatekeepers of the temple during the reign of King David (1Ch.26.7). He was a descendant of Obed-Edom, who was a Levite entrusted with the care of the Ark of the Covenant (1Ch.13.13-14; 26.4-8). The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and ensuring that only authorized individuals were allowed to enter (1Ch.9.17-27). They also had duties related to the maintenance and organization of the temple. The mention of Rephael as a gatekeeper highlights the importance of this role in maintaining the sanctity and security of the temple, which was the center of worship for the Israelites.
Family
Siblings
- Othni Tribe of LeviSon of ShemaiahSon of Shemaiah, gatekeeper of the arkView full profile →
- Obed MaleDavid's warriorIshmaelite warrior in David's armyView full profile →
- Elzabad MaleDavid's warriorA Gadite warrior who joined David at Ziklag.View full profile →
- Elihu Tribe of LeviSon of ShemaiahA gatekeeper of the temple, son of Shemaiah.View full profile →
- Semachiah Tribe of LeviSon of ShemaiahSon of Shemaiah, gatekeeper of the templeView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 26:7
"Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רְפָאֵל |