Archaeological findings suggest that in ancient times, teraphim images were kept not only for religious use but also for legal purposes. Just as title deeds and written testaments determine inheritance rights today, so did teraphim images long ago.
पुरातत्वविज्ञानियों की खोजों से पता चलता है कि पुराने ज़माने में गृह - देवताओं की मूरतें न सिर्फ उपासना के लिए बल्कि कानूनी इस्तेमाल के लिए भी रखी जाती थीं ।