Standing in the Transjordan, Moses describes how the previous inhabitants had been the frightening, gigantic Rephaim (lit. “healers”). Elsewhere in the Bible, rephaim are powerless shades, living in the underworld, Sheol. Greek epic also preserves a memory of Meropes as a population of giants living on the island of Cos, and the term meropes also refers to “healers” who serve as priests of the god Asklepius. In both cases, these memories derive from the West Semitic Rapi’ūma, deified royal ancestors invoked in Ugaritic rituals to bless king and land.It's always fun to go back to the Rephaim again. I don't recall hearing about this proposed connection with the Meropes before. I did know that the late Prof. Astour proposed some creative West Semitic connections with Greek mythology.
I have discussed the Rephaim especially here and here (in connection with the giants). For many other posts, see the links collected here (cf. here).
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