Deuteronomy 2:10

KJV

The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;

KJV (with Strong's)

The Emims {H368} dwelt {H3427} therein in times past {H6440}, a people {H5971} great {H1419}, and many {H7227}, and tall {H7311}, as the Anakims {H6062};

Complete Jewish Bible

(The Emim used to live there, a great and numerous people as tall as the 'Anakim.

Berean Standard Bible

(The Emites used to live there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites.

American Standard Version

(The Emim dwelt therein aforetime, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:10 serves as a crucial historical interjection within Moses' retrospective address, illuminating God's sovereign hand in dispossessing the formidable Emims from the land of Moab in times past. This verse vividly describes the Emims as "a people great, and many, and tall," drawing a direct and impactful comparison to the well-known and feared Anakims. This detail not only provides background on the region's ancient inhabitants but also powerfully underscores God's ability to clear the way for His chosen people, setting a divine precedent for Israel's own impending conquest of Canaan against seemingly insurmountable odds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 2:10 functions as a parenthetical historical note embedded within Moses' extended address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. In the verses immediately preceding ([Deuteronomy 2:1-9](/deuteronomy/2-1-9 "Deuteronomy 2:1-9 - God's Instructions for Edom and Moab")), Moses recounts God's specific commands for Israel to bypass the territories of Edom and Moab, as these lands had already been divinely allotted to the descendants of Esau and Lot, respectively. Verse 10, along with subsequent interjections (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:11-12](/deuteronomy/2-11-12 "Further Historical Notes") and [Deuteronomy 2:20-23](/deuteronomy/2-20-23 "Dispossession of Other Inhabitants")), provides crucial background on the prior inhabitants of these lands. By highlighting that God had previously dispossessed powerful, giant-like peoples (like the Emims and Zamzumims) to make way for the current occupants, Moses reinforces the theological truth that God is sovereign over all nations and their territories. This historical precedent serves to bolster Israel's confidence for their own divinely ordained conquest of Canaan, where they would face similar formidable adversaries.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Transjordan region, encompassing areas like Moab, was known to have been inhabited by various indigenous groups often referred to as Rephaim, a term broadly denoting "giants" or "mighty ones." The Emims, specifically mentioned in this verse, were one such group, associated with the territory east of the Jordan River. The comparison of the Emims to the Anakims is highly significant within the Israelite cultural context. The Anakims were a notoriously feared group of giants dwelling in Canaan, whose formidable stature had instilled terror in the Israelite spies, leading to their faithless report in [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "The Spies' Report on the Anakim"). This cultural understanding of "giants" as symbols of overwhelming, insurmountable opposition would have immediately resonated with Moses' audience. By categorizing the Emims alongside the Anakims, the verse effectively communicates the immense scale of the challenge these early inhabitants posed and, by extension, magnifies the power of the God who dispossessed them, setting a powerful example for Israel's future conquests.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 2:10 contributes significantly to several foundational themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty over Nations and Land Allocation**. God's active role in determining the boundaries and destinies of peoples is central; He dispossessed the Emims for the Moabites, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all earthly powers. This sets a clear precedent for His intention to dispossess the Canaanites for Israel. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Overcoming Formidable Obstacles**. The vivid description of the Emims as "great, and many, and tall," coupled with their comparison to the Anakims, serves to magnify God's power. It reminds the Israelites that no adversary, however imposing, is too great for God to overcome, providing assurance for their own impending conquest of Canaan, where they would encounter similar "giants" (as referenced in [Deuteronomy 9:1-2](/deuteronomy/9-1-2 "Israel to Conquer Greater Nations")). Thirdly, this historical detail establishes a **Historical Precedent for God's Faithfulness**. By recalling how God enabled the Moabites to displace such powerful inhabitants, Moses builds a compelling case for Israel's trust in God's promise to deliver the Promised Land into their hands, reinforcing the reliability of God's covenant promises despite the formidable nations they would encounter.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Emims (Hebrew, _'Êymîym'_):** This plural noun, derived from a root meaning "terrors" or "dread," aptly describes an early Canaanitish (or Moabite) tribe known for their fearsome reputation. As a branch of the Rephaim, they were an ancient race associated with imposing stature and strength. Their historical presence in Moabite territory before the Moabites signifies a pre-Israelite history of the land and God's prior acts of dispossession, setting the stage for His future actions on behalf of Israel.
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This primitive root signifies "to sit down," but broadly implies "to dwell," "to remain," or "to inhabit." In this context, it confirms the Emims' established presence and long-term habitation in the land before their displacement. It highlights that they were not merely passing through but had settled and made the territory their home, underscoring the magnitude of their dispossession by divine decree.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective denotes greatness in various senses, including size, power, or importance. Applied to the Emims, it emphasizes their formidable nature, not only in physical stature ("tall") but also in their overall might, influence, or perhaps their large population ("many"). This descriptor contributes to the portrayal of the Emims as a significant and challenging force, further magnifying the power of God who dispossessed them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Emims dwelt therein in times past,"**: This opening clause establishes the historical setting, indicating that the Emims were the former, long-term inhabitants of the land now occupied by the Moabites. The phrase "in times past" points to a period preceding the current narrative of Israel's journey, emphasizing God's enduring sovereignty over the land and its peoples throughout history. The "therein" implicitly refers to the territory of Moab, as contextually established in [Deuteronomy 2:9](/deuteronomy/2-9 "Deuteronomy 2:9 - God's Allotment to Moab").
* **"a people great, and many, and tall,"**: This descriptive phrase provides a vivid portrayal of the Emims, emphasizing their formidable characteristics. "Great" suggests their power, influence, or overall significance. "Many" indicates a substantial population, implying a numerous and formidable force. "Tall" directly refers to their immense physical stature, explicitly marking them as giants. Collectively, these descriptors paint a picture of a truly imposing, numerous, and intimidating people.
* **"as the Anakims;"**: This concluding clause provides a direct and powerful comparison, leveraging the Israelites' existing knowledge and fear. By likening the Emims to the Anakims, Moses immediately conveys the immense stature and formidable nature of the Emims. The Anakims were a well-known race of giants whose formidable presence had previously terrified the Israelite spies (as recounted in [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "The Spies' Report on the Anakim")). This simile serves as a powerful shorthand, instantly communicating that the Emims were likewise a race of intimidating giants, reinforcing the magnitude of God's power in their dispossession.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 2:10 skillfully employs several literary devices to convey its message with impact. The most prominent is **Comparison**, specifically a **Simile**, evident in the phrase "as the Anakims." This direct comparison to a widely known and feared group of giants immediately communicates the formidable nature of the Emims to the Israelite audience, leveraging their existing understanding and apprehension. The descriptive triad "great, and many, and tall" utilizes **Amplification** to emphasize the Emims' imposing presence, aiming to impress upon the listeners the sheer magnitude of the people God dispossessed. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Historical Aside** or **Parenthetical Remark** within Moses' broader speech. It briefly interrupts the narrative flow of Israel's wilderness journey to provide crucial background information, reinforcing the theological point about God's sovereign control over the land and its inhabitants, thereby building confidence for Israel's own impending conquest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 2:10, though a brief historical note, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It fundamentally reinforces the theme of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the allocation of land and the destiny of nations. The fact that God dispossessed the "great, and many, and tall" Emims for the Moabites serves as a powerful precedent for His intention to dispossess the even mightier nations of Canaan for Israel. This demonstrates that no human power, no matter how formidable, can thwart God's divine plan. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, showing that He actively prepares the way for His people, even if it means overcoming "giants" that seem insurmountable to human eyes. This historical detail is strategically placed to instill courage and faith in the new generation of Israelites, reminding them that the God who cleared the way for Moab will surely clear the way for them into the Promised Land.

* [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "The Spies' Fear of the Anakim")
* [Deuteronomy 9:1-2](/deuteronomy/9-1-2 "Israel to Conquer Greater Nations")
* [Joshua 14:12](/joshua/14-12 "Caleb's Request for Hebron and the Anakim")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:10, while rooted in ancient history, offers a profound and enduring message for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our God is a God who overcomes "giants." Just as He sovereignly dispossessed the formidable Emims and Anakims, paving the way for His people, He is equally capable of confronting and conquering the "giants" in our own lives. These "giants" may not be physical beings, but they manifest as daunting challenges, overwhelming fears, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, deeply entrenched sins, or persistent anxieties. The verse encourages us to remember that no problem, no adversary, and no personal struggle is too "great, and many, and tall" for God's boundless power and unwavering sovereignty. It calls us to place our trust not in our own limited strength or resources, but in the God who has a proven track record of clearing the way and delivering His people. As we face our own "giants," we can draw immense courage and unwavering faith from this ancient account, knowing that the same God who acted then is actively at work now, orchestrating circumstances and empowering us to lead us into His promised blessings and victories.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" (challenges, fears, obstacles, or sinful patterns) am I currently facing in my life that seem insurmountable?**
* **How does the historical account of God dispossessing the Emims encourage me to trust in His power and sovereignty over my present difficulties?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my own strength or ingenuity rather than fully trusting in God's ability to overcome these "giants"?**

### FAQ
**Were the Emims and Anakims literally giants, or is this a metaphorical description?**

Answer: The biblical text consistently portrays the Emims, Anakims, and other related groups (such as the Rephaim) as literally being people of exceptionally great stature and strength. The descriptions "great, and many, and tall" for the Emims in [Deuteronomy 2:10](/deuteronomy/2-10 "Deuteronomy 2:10 - The Emims as Giants"), along with the Israelite spies' report of the Anakims making them feel like "grasshoppers" in [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - The Spies' Report on the Anakim"), strongly suggest literal physical gigantism. While the language can be evocative, the consistent portrayal across different biblical books (e.g., [Deuteronomy 3:11](/deuteronomy/3-11 "Deuteronomy 3:11 - Og's Iron Bedstead") describing Og's massive iron bedstead, or [1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath's Height") detailing Goliath's height as "six cubits and a span") indicates that these were indeed exceptionally large individuals or groups of people. Their formidable size was a key reason for the fear they inspired and served to magnify God's power in dispossessing them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 2:10, with its depiction of God dispossessing formidable physical "giants" like the Emims, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament narrative focuses on literal, imposing adversaries that stood in the way of Israel's inheritance, these "giants" serve as powerful types and shadows of the spiritual enemies that humanity truly faces: sin, death, and the devil. Just as God cleared the land of the "great, and many, and tall" Emims for His people Israel, Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, has decisively conquered the ultimate spiritual giants that held all humanity captive. The cross is where the true "Anakims" of our existence were defeated; Christ disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His resurrection is the definitive proof that the "giant" of death has been swallowed up in victory, and its sting removed ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Therefore, the historical account in Deuteronomy points forward to the greater reality that in Christ, believers are empowered to overcome all spiritual opposition, knowing that the decisive battle has already been won by the true [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). We are no longer to fear the "giants" of this fallen world, for "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He Who is in You")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 14:5

And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

Deuteronomy 2:11

Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.

Numbers 13:22

And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)