The Rephaim were an ancient race of giants who first inhabited a region east of the Jordan River, a place called Ashterorth-karnain. Although historians and archeologists disagree on their size, the Bible makes clear that the Canaanites (and sometimes, the Israelites) greatly feared the Rephaim. But what happened to the Rephaim? Who were these giants? What does the Bible tell us about them?
What Does the Word Rephaim Mean?
The word Rephaim is derived from the Hebrew word rapha, which means “lofty” or “terrible one.” In other words, a literal giant. In most references, the word “Rephaim” is used as a proper noun to describe an actual race of giants who occupied Ashterorth-karnain or their close associates (Deuteronomy 2:10-11). In other passages, rapha translates more generically to those considered “giants.”
However, it is worth noting that rapha is also used in the Old Testament to describe “the dead,” “shadows,” “spirits,” or “shades of the dead.” We see this in passages like Job 26:5, Psalms 88:11; Proverbs 2:18, 9:18, and 21:16; Isaiah 14:8, 26:14, and 26:19). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains that in this context, rapha refers to that which has been rendered “powerless,” “weak,” or “extinct.”
Ironically, as the Rephaim died off, a word once describing a fearsome and imposing race of giants became synonymous with the weak and powerless. In the case of the Rephaim, the giants who once intimidated and opposed God’s people were relegated to the shadows and legends of ancient history.
Who Are the People of Rephaim?
The first mention of the Rephaim in the Bible is Genesis 14. In chronicling the war of the kings that eventually impacted Abraham and his family, Moses writes that “in the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim” (Genesis 14:5).
Ashteroth-karnaim was located on the King’s Highway, east of the Jordan River. According to historical records, Ashteroth most likely received its name as a place of worship dedicated to the pagan goddess Ashteroth. Karnaim was a fortified city located 23 miles east of the Sea of Galilee. It is believed, however, that by Abraham’s time, Karnaim was overshadowed by Ashtaroth, hence the double name we encounter in the Bible.
Both the biblical text and archeological evidence mention the Rephaim as a group of remarkably strong, tall men who inhabited this region in Abraham’s period. A small remnant of these so-called giants also existed in King David’s reign.
Were the Rephaim Really Giants?
How tall were the Rephaim and other giants? We do not know for certain.
The biblical text, archeological evidence, and even modern science suggest that the Rephaim may have been an unnaturally large race of people suffering from some genetic abnormality. This condition manifested in incredible height, abnormal skeletal and tissue growth, enlarged muscles, foreheads, hands, and feet, and, in some cases, polydactylism (extra digits). In The Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archeology, Randall Price also notes that these features were likely an inherited genetic trait, especially common “in closely interbred communities, and geneticists report it appears in association with the abnormality of gigantism and can be passed on as a hereditary trait” (25). All of this supports the biblical description of a race of giants who populated parts of ancient Canaan.
Were the Rephaim as massive as the 50-foot-tall mythological creatures in fantasy novels and movies? Probably not.
However, an entire tribe of warriors standing seven to ten feet tall would have been a formidable force, terrifying the average nomad, king, or army to witness.
That was certainly true for the children of Israel, who first encountered a remnant of giants when they left Egypt and first prepared to enter the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18-21).
In Deuteronomy 3, Moses describes Og, the king of Bashan, as a remnant of the Rephaim. Of Og, Moses writes, “his bedstead was an iron bedstead; it is in Rabbah of the sons of Ammon. Its length was nine cubits and its width four cubits.” (Deuteronomy 3:11). By any standard of measurement, the bed of the Bashan king was built fora remarkably tall and man.
After Moses and the armies of Israel dispossessed Bashan, their territory was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh as an inheritance (Deuteronomy 3:13; Joshua 13:12).
However, this was not the end of the Rephaim or the last time the Israelites encountered giants.
Are the Rephaim Related to Other Giants in the Bible?
Some theories suggest a supernatural origin of the biblical giants, linking the Rephaim to fallen angels who procreated with humans following their exile from heaven (see the Nephilim of Genesis 6:1-4 and Numbers 13:33). However, the actual origin of the ancient giants is still unknown.
We know that several groups of giants (or, at the very least, incredibly tall men) populated various regions in and around Canaan throughout the Old Testament.
In the book of Deuteronomy, we read that the Ammonites referred to the giants of the region as “Zamzummin,” while the Moabites referred to the Rephaim as the “Emim” or “fearful” (Deuteronomy 2:10, 20). In both cases, these giant men were said to be “a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim” (Deuteronomy 2:10, 21).
The Anakim (or “long-necked”), first mentioned in Numbers 13:22, were descended from Anak. Anak is widely regarded as the father of the Anakim and also possibly the Rephaim, Emin, and Zamazummin.
When the 12 Israelite spies returned from scouting the Promised Land, they reported that “a people great and tall” were already living there. Seized with fear, they believed these giants to be the sons of the Anakim (Deuteronomy 9:2). The Israelites’ fear of these giants caused them to cower, costing them the Promised Land for 40 years.
Only Joshua and Caleb, who had put their faith in God, lived to see the Israelites drive the Anakim from the Promised Land. However, a small remnant of giants reportedly took refuge in the cities of Gaza, Ashdod, and Gath, the later home of the Philistine champion Goliath (Joshua 11:22).
So, were the Rephaim, Emin, Zamazummin, and Anakim all related?
There probably was some genetic connection between these groups. It is also possible that different people had different names for the same giants. Furthermore, we know that a remnant of the Rephaim eventually migrated west of the Jordan River to the Judean countryside. We encounter these people during the time of Israel’s judges and kings.
What Is the Valley of Rephaim?
In the Old Testament, the Bible mentions the Valley (or Vale) of Rephaim on several occasions, especially in the early days of David’s reign as king. This valley was located just southwest of Jerusalem in the Judean countryside.
When David became king over all of Israel, he quickly became embroiled in conflict with the Philistines, a seafaring people who had migrated from somewhere in the Aegean Sea (Jeremiah 47:4) to Canaan around the twelfth century B.C. With their advanced iron weapons, innovative technology, and aggressive military tactics, the Philistines had invaded and harassed the Israelites for generations.
Around the thirteenth century B.C., the Philistines began moving inland, expanding into the Judean countryside by claiming Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath (Joshua 13:3). When they did, the Philistines likely conscripted the inhabitants of those cities into their army, including a remnant of giants from the Rephaim who had settled there. Goliath, the champion from Gath, was likely descended from these ancient giants. Given his impressive stature and physique, he and the other giants would have been ideal mercenaries for the Philistine army.
According to The Holman Bible Atlas, “early in his reign he [David] had moved to neutralize the Philistines, who threatened Jerusalem by moving up the Sorek to the Valley of Rephaim” (105).
This fertile vale, located to the southwest of Jerusalem, served as an ideal highway for Philistine incursions into Jerusalem and Judea from their strongholds in Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Gath. When successful, the Philistines would rally their forces to occupy the Valley of Rephaim, referred to as the “valley of the giants” in the King James translation (Joshua 15:8; 18:16). In doing so, they would effectively cut off Jerusalem from Bethlehem and other parts of Judea.
On two occasions, however, David and the armies of Israel repelled the Philistine advance through the Valley of Rephaim, pushing them back to the coastal plains (2 Samuel 5:16-25; 23:9-19; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17). When that happened, David regained control of the Shephelah, a twelve-to-fifteen-mile region of foothills and lowlands in the Judean countryside. The Valley of Elah, where David had originally slain Goliath, was part of the Shephelah.
The Bible also mentions several of David’s mighty men defeating additional giants and descendants of Goliath and the Rephaim (2 Samuel 21:18-22; 1 Chronicles 20:6-8).
In any case, David’s victories over the Philistines and whatever giants they had in their army halted their expansion into Israel. From then on, the Philistines ceased to be a major threat to Israel. The Rephaim, once a feared race of giants, were also soon extinct and relegated to stories and legends in Israel’s history. As the Bible proves, God again contended for His people, defeating literal giants to give Israel the land He promised Abraham and his descendants.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fcscafeine
Joel Ryan is an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. When he’s not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world.
This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul.
4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible
20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible
Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible?
Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus?
Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important?