Rephan

Rephan (also Remphan or Chiun) was the name of an astral deity worshipped by Israel in the wilderness, referenced in Stephen's speech: "Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship" (Acts 7:42–43), quoting Amos 5:25–27. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew Kiyyun (KJV "Chiun") of Amos as Rephan.

The identification of Rephan with a specific deity is uncertain. It is likely a reference to Saturn, venerated in ancient Near Eastern astral religion, or to a specific Mesopotamian or Egyptian star-deity. The Revised Version uses Rephan. The passage indicts Israel for secret idolatry practiced even during the wilderness period, contradicting the idealized view of that era. The divine response was the exile of Israel beyond Babylon.