Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 2:11
Like the Anakites, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emites.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, cataloging the conquered territories east of the Jordan to establish the historical boundaries of the promised inheritance.
The words — רְפָאִים (re.fa.'Im) literally means "Rephaites," and יֵחָשְׁב֥וּ (ye.cha.she.Vu) translates as "they were regarded."
The thread — The Rephaites and Anakites appear as formidable pre-Israelite inhabitants in Genesis 14:5 and Numbers 13:22, establishing a consistent pattern of giant clans in the eastern Transjordan.
Why it lands — The text first identifies the displaced peoples and their varying ethnic labels before any theological claim is made, requiring the reader to separate historical geography from covenant status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
Cross-references
- Genesis 14:5 In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
- Numbers 13:22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
- Numbers 13:28 Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.
- Numbers 13:33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”
- Deuteronomy 1:28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”
- Deuteronomy 9:2 The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them, and you have heard it said, “Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?”