Kabbalah: Teraphim

Teraphim in Different Cultures

Teraphim were human-shaped miniature household idols used for worship in the home and mentioned numerous times in the OLD TESTAMENT.

They brought its owners fortune and good luck. Teraphim were called the “givers of prosperity,” “guardians of comforts,” and “nourishers” by the Roman Lares and Penates of the early Hebrews, although the practice was considered heathen.

Teraphim could be hidden away in the pack saddle of a camel, similar to the ones, described in Genesis, that Rachel stole because she was afraid they would tell Laban her direction when she fled to elope. Others were life size. Some may have represented family members. In a passage in Zechariah, teraphim “speak falsely” and would lead believers on a misguided path.

According to a passage in Samuel, Michal took a teraphim and laid in on the bed on a pillow of goat’s hair at its head and covered it with David’s clothes in an attempt to conceal his absence.

Arabs
Assyrians
Babylonians
Chinese Living Statues
Egyptians
Greece
Saharon
Sumerians
Thay Phap

Sumerians

The Sumerians buried idols under floors of houses and chambers where men lay sick, protect property and from devil. They protect property and provide portection from devil. Some archeologists compare them to the teraphim of Laba; and the Penate of the Romans.

Egyptians

One of the largest class of Egyptian amulets similar to kind Seldonos in "De Diis Syriis" alludes to golden TERAPHIM consecrated to a special star or planet known in Egypt. Other TERAPHIM were mummified heads each with a gold plate under its tongue on which were engraved "magic words" These Jivaro skulls were mounted on walls and talked to at certain times. (We Are Not the First, p 120) See "Shabti"

Babylonians

The Babylonian (Teraphim) ritual:

"Whether it be an evil ghost or an evil spirit or an evil spook or an evil ghoul or an evil god or an evil Croucher or a LAMSHTU or a LABASU or the Seizer or LILU, LILITH; or a Handmaid of Lilu, or the Hand-of-a-god; or the Hand-of-a-goddess;, or Epidemic,... of Plague-demon; or the Bad-luck-demon {Lit, 'he who offers the bad things of life'} or Death or Heat or Fever or the killer, ... which does harm to a man, in a man's house... (“Greatness That was Babylon,” p. 31)

In the private houses or bedrooms of ancient Babylon were protective figures were either standing at the doorway or buried under the threshold.

At Ur, for example, clay figures were found in boxes of burnt brick placed under the floor against the walls; these boxes, provided with lids, had one end open, facing the center of the room, which the figures watched and guarded.

These particular figures at Ur had been given a lime-wash and then painted either black and red, were of various kinds. There were human figures clad in a garment composed of a pointed hat and a long robe pained with scales: these were fish-men, creatures mentioned in mythology.

Others had figures of human bodies and heads and wings of birds, some were long-bearded, long-robed, some with closed hands folded across the breast as though grasping some object. Others were clay representation of the Mushrushshu; or red dragon, with body of a dog, head of a serpent and long tail.. (“Greatness Babylon,” p. 301).

These particular figures at Ur had been given a lime-wash and then painted either black and red, were of various kinds. There were human figures clad in a garment composed of a pointed hat and a long robe pained with scales: these were fish-men, creatures mentioned in mythology.

Others had figures of human bodies and heads and wings of birds, some were long-bearded, long-robed, some with closed hands folded across the breast as though grasping some object. Others were clay representation of the MUSHRUSHSHU or red dragon, with body of a dog, head of a serpent and long tail. ("Greatness Babylon," p. 301) Seem to been same character as "PAPSUKKAL" figure in Babylonian amulet.

Assyrians

The Assyrians kept images of gods in the house, which were believed to have power of warding off spirits. Arab (tarifa) = live a life of ease and plenty tho origin perhaps an idol, afterwards and almost exclusively a kind of charm of Lares and Penates, household gods of Rome. (Magic Divin. Demon, 35)

Greece

In Ancient Greece, they were the Tselem (Image in Hebrew), The TERAPHIM can be compared with the Golem. (Magic, History & Rites) p. 140

Arabs

(tarifa) = live a life of ease and plenty, although origin perhaps an idol, afterwards and almost exclusively a kind of charm of Lares and Penates, household gods of Romans (“Magic Divin. Demon”, p. 35)

"the worshippers of the Teraphim claim that as the light of the stars filled the carved statute, it was put en rapport with the intelligence of those distant stars and planets who used the statue as an instrument. It is in this manner that the Teraphim taught people many useful arts and sciences." (Maimonides, p.1135-1204)

Saharon

Acharm or amulet probably made of metal and had the form of a cresent, i.e. cresent moon. Worn by women (Is iii.18) and by kings (Judges viii,26) and tied to necks of camels (Judges 21) to protect from Evil Eye.  Favorite among people of western Asia. Represented strength and protection of the waxing, not waning moon. Himyarites and other peoples of Arabia added a star to it. Abyssinians adopted both as sacred emblems. Turks did also (Budge, "Amulet")

Thay Phap

The same way Annamese sorcerers, the "thay phap" employ a figure in human form, made of straw, wood or paper, which they animate with their "breath" and which they cover with magical formula. These dolls, real "golem", become "living" and can execute wishes of the maker. They can steal, kill, discover secrets and carry out vengences.

Chinese Living Statues

Chinese Talismans statuettes in clay, paper, wood or jade fashioned by the Tao Nio witches to "give them life" the witch places inside of them not only the reproductions of vital organs- heart, liver, lungs- but also a small living animal, a bird, insect or reptile. The soul which leaves the animal when it dies will inhabit the talisman.