Bible Dictionary
Chiun
Chiun was an idol mentioned by Amos in condemning Israel’s wilderness worship. The name is associated in the biblical tradition with Rephan and possibly with the worship of Saturn.
Definition
Chiun was an idol named in Amos. The name may mean a statue and is probably associated with the planet Saturn.
Biblical Usage
Amos mentions Chiun in condemning Israel’s wilderness worship. The Septuagint rendered the name Rhephan, and Stephen used the form Rephan.
Historical Background
The supplied material says that astrologers regarded Saturn as baleful and that Phoenicians offered human sacrifices, especially children, to it.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in Amos 5:26 (R.V. marg., “shrine”). The LXX. translated the word by Rhephan, which became corrupted into Remphan, as used by Stephen (Acts 7:43; but R.V., “Rephan”). Probably the planet Saturn is intended by the name. Astrologers represented this planet as baleful in its influences, and hence the Phoenicians offered to it human sacrifices, especially children.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a statue, perhaps of Saturn), an idol made by the Israelites in the wilderness. [Remphan]