Teraphim

Teraphim, a Hebrew word of uncertain derivation, denoting a certain kind of images, idols, or household gods, of a human figure, associated with divination, and commonly used in the popular worship. The gods which Rachel stole are called teraphim, and Saul's daughter Michal placed a teraph in David's bed to conceal his flight. This veneration for teraphim flourished side by side with the worship of Jehovah, though condemned by the prophets. The word in the Authorised Version is sometimes simply transcribed, sometimes variously rendered by images, idols, idolatry. See IDOLATRY.