Remphan

(Acts 7:43; R.V., “Rephan”). In Amos 5:26 the Heb. Chiun (q.v.) is rendered by the LXX. “Rephan,” and this name is adopted by Luke in his narrative of the Acts. These names represent the star-god Saturn or Moloch.

(Acts 7:43) and Chi’un, (Amos 5:26) have been supposed to be names of an idol worshipped secretly by the Israelites in the wilderness, difficulty has been occasioned by this corresponding occurrence of two names so wholly different in sound. The most reasonable opinion seems to be that Chiun was a Hebrew or Semitic name, and Remphan an Egyptian equivalent substituted by the LXX. This idol corresponded probably to Saturn or Molech. The mention of Chiun or Remphan as worshipped in the desert shows that this idolatry was, in part at least that of foreigners, and no doubt of those settled in lower Egypt.

REM'PHAN, occurring only in Acts 7:43, which is a quotation from Am 5:26, where the corresponding word in the Hebrew is "Chiun." It is probable, therefore, that they are interchangeable names for a god worshipped secretly by the Israelites in Egypt and in the wilderness, answering, probably, to Saturn or Moloch, the star-god. Some refer this worship to the time of Amos.

prepared; arrayed

REM'PHAN, occurring only in Acts 7:43, which is a quotation from Am 5:26, where the corresponding word in the Hebrew is "Chiun." It is probable, therefore, that they are interchangeable names for a god worshipped secretly by the Israelites in Egypt and in the wilderness, answering, probably, to Saturn or Moloch, the star-god. Some refer this worship to the time of Amos.