This is a Hebrew word in the plural. It refers to domestic idols, as for instance those Rachel stole from her father; there the word, as elsewhere, is translated “images,” with “teraphim” in the margin (Gen. 31:19, 34-35). Michal the wife of David had one in her house, and laid it in the bed when David escaped (1 Sam. 19:13, 16). Micah also had them in his house, and regarded them as “gods” (Judg. 17:5; Judg. 18:14-20). They were used in some way for divination, and are included among the images and idols which Josiah cleared from the land (2 Kings 23:24; Ezek. 21:21; Zech. 10:2). In Hosea 3:4 the Jews are described as having neither king, nor prince, nor sacrifice, nor image, nor ephod, nor teraphim—as they are at this day bereft of their sacrifices, and without even the divination and false gods they once had. But the prophecy speaks also of a coming day when they will seek Jehovah their God, and David their king, and enter into blessing.