Teraphim
in Jewish antiquities, household gods, like the Roman penates.
The "images" which Rachel stole from her father Laban are called in Hebrew teraphim (Gen. xxxi: 19, 34, 35). Perhaps they were the "strange gods" given up by Jacob's household, and by him hid under the "oak" at Shechem (xxxv: 2,4).
Again, the "image" which Michael put in David's bed, and which was intended to be mistaken for him, is called in Hebrew teraphim, a plural form, though apparently only with wit a singular meaning. It was probably of the human form and size (I Sam. xix: 13). Samuel denounced them (I Sam. xv: 23), and Josiah put them away, with wizards, idols, etc. (II Kings xxiii: 24). The English reader must have recourse to the Revised Version to find where the word teraphim occurs in the Old Testament, as in all but one passage (Hosea iii: 4) the Authorized Version translates it by other words.