Deuteronomy 2:21

KJV

A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

KJV (with Strong's)

A people {H5971} great {H1419}, and many {H7227}, and tall {H7311}, as the Anakims {H6062}; but the LORD {H3068} destroyed {H8045} them before {H6440} them; and they succeeded {H3423} them, and dwelt {H3427} in their stead:

Complete Jewish Bible

They were a large, numerous people, as tall as the 'Anakim; but ADONAI destroyed them as the people of 'Amon advanced and settled in their place -

Berean Standard Bible

They were a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites. But the LORD destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place,

American Standard Version

a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Jehovah destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:21 vividly portrays God's sovereign power and faithfulness by recounting His dispossession of the formidable Emims, a people described as "great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims," to make way for the Ammonites to settle in their territory. This historical precedent, recounted by Moses, serves as a powerful encouragement to the new generation of Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, assuring them that the same omnipotent God who cleared the way for others will certainly enable them to conquer their own "giants" and inherit the land He has promised.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 2 is part of Moses' second major address to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they prepare to enter Canaan. This chapter specifically recounts Israel's journey from Kadesh Barnea, emphasizing God's guidance and provision throughout their wilderness wanderings. Moses highlights God's commands to avoid conflict with Edom, Moab, and Ammon, explaining that the LORD had already assigned these nations their territories. Verse 21, along with [Deuteronomy 2:10-11](/deuteronomy/2-10 "Deuteronomy 2:10-11 - The Emims and Their Land"), serves as a historical illustration within this narrative. It demonstrates God's consistent pattern of dispossessing powerful, indigenous inhabitants (like the Emims) to establish new peoples (like the Ammonites) in their stead. This narrative prepares the Israelites for their own imminent conquest, assuring them that just as God acted for others, He would act for them in conquering the formidable inhabitants of Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is approximately 1406 BC, with the Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. The generation that rebelled at Kadesh Barnea, fearing the inhabitants of Canaan, has passed away. The "Anakims" (עֲנָקִים, _‘Anāqîm_) were a notorious race of giant-like people, whose immense stature and strength were well-known and had previously instilled terror in the Israelite spies, leading to their faithless report in [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - The Spies' Report on the Anakim"). The Emims, described in this verse, are explicitly equated in stature to the Anakims, underscoring their terrifying presence and formidable nature. This historical backdrop emphasizes the immense challenge Israel faced, making God's prior acts of dispossession for other nations (like the Ammonites) a potent psychological and spiritual encouragement. It reinforces the idea that God's power transcends any human or natural obstacle.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy. Firstly, it underscores **God's absolute sovereignty and power** over all nations and their territories. The destruction of the "great, many, and tall" Emims by the LORD, despite their formidable nature, demonstrates that no human force can stand against His divine will or purposes for His covenant people. Secondly, it highlights **divine preparation and inheritance**, serving as a crucial precedent for Israel's impending conquest. Just as God cleared the way for the Ammonites by dispossessing the Emims, He would faithfully fulfill His covenant promises to Israel by enabling them to conquer Canaan, a land He had promised to their ancestors (see [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land")). Thirdly, the comparison to the "Anakims" directly addresses and aims to overcome Israel's past fears and doubts, fostering **faith and courage** for the challenges ahead, reminding them that God is greater than any "giant" they might face (compare [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - The Spies' Fear of the Anakim")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anakims (Hebrew, _‘Anāqîm'_):** This term refers to a race of formidable, giant-like people, consistently portrayed in the Old Testament as possessing exceptional height and strength. They were a source of great fear for the Israelites, particularly during the initial reconnaissance of Canaan. The explicit comparison of the Emims to the Anakims in this verse serves to vividly convey the immense stature and perceived invincibility of the people God destroyed, thereby magnifying the power and omnipotence of the LORD in their downfall.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _šāmad'_):** This verb denotes a complete and utter annihilation or eradication, often used in the context of divine judgment or the decisive removal of a people or entity. Its application here signifies a definitive and total defeat orchestrated by God, leaving no ambiguity about the source of the Emims' demise. It emphasizes God's active, irresistible intervention and His sovereign control over the destinies of nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;":** This initial clause describes the formidable nature of the Emims, the former inhabitants of the territory now occupied by the Ammonites. The triple description ("great, and many, and tall") emphasizes their impressive size, numerical strength, and overall might. The explicit comparison "as the Anakims" immediately evokes a sense of dread and highlights their reputation as a race of giants, making their subsequent destruction by God all the more remarkable and demonstrating the magnitude of His power.
* **"but the LORD destroyed them before them;":** This is the pivotal turning point of the verse, introduced by the strong adversative conjunction "but." It powerfully contrasts the Emims' might with God's omnipotence. It is "the LORD" (Yahweh), the covenant God of Israel, who actively and decisively "destroyed them." The phrase "before them" indicates that this destruction occurred in the presence of the Ammonites, allowing them to witness God's power firsthand and subsequently take possession of the land. This highlights divine agency as the sole cause of the Emims' downfall.
* **"and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:":** This final clause describes the direct outcome of God's intervention. The Ammonites "succeeded them" (meaning they took possession of the land) and "dwelt in their stead" (settled in the place previously occupied by the Emims). This demonstrates the tangible and immediate result of God's sovereign action: the removal of one people to make way for another, fulfilling His divine purpose for the land and its inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 2:21 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of the Emims as "great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims," exaggerating their formidable nature to underscore the magnitude of God's power in overcoming them. The **allusion** to the Anakims immediately connects to Israel's past fears and failures (as seen in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies and Their Report")), thereby setting up a powerful contrast between human fear and divine capability. The use of **contrast** ("A people great... but the LORD destroyed them") highlights the stark difference between human strength and divine omnipotence. This rhetorical strategy serves to build confidence in the new generation of Israelites, assuring them that their God is capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how daunting, and is faithful to His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 2:21 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over history and the destiny of nations. It reveals a God who actively intervenes in human affairs, dispossessing one people and establishing another according to His divine plan. This is not merely a historical anecdote but a theological principle: God is the ultimate landlord and arbiter of the earth, demonstrating His power to clear the way for His chosen people and fulfill His covenant promises. This act of dispossessing the formidable Emims for the Ammonites serves as a powerful precedent and a source of encouragement for Israel, assuring them that the same God who acted for others will certainly act for them as they prepare to conquer Canaan.

* [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - The Spies' Fear of the Anakim")
* [Joshua 11:21-22](/joshua/11-21 "Joshua 11:21-22 - Joshua Destroys the Anakim")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:21 offers enduring encouragement and a profound lesson in faith for believers today. Just as God dispossessed the "great, and many, and tall" Emims to make way for the Ammonites, and subsequently for Israel, He remains sovereign over every "giant" in our lives. Whether these are overwhelming personal struggles, seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our calling, or formidable spiritual adversaries, this verse reminds us that no challenge is too great for the LORD. It calls us to shift our gaze from the size of our problems to the infinite power of our God, fostering a deep trust in His ability to clear the path and enable us to succeed in His purposes. This historical account serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively at work, preparing the way for His people to inherit what He has promised, empowering us to face our fears with courage rooted in His omnipotence and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you currently facing in your life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual?**
* **How does the account of God destroying the Emims for the Ammonites encourage your faith concerning your own challenges?**
* **In what specific ways might you be tempted to rely on your own strength or resources rather than trusting in God's sovereign power to clear the way for you?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Emims, and why are they compared to the Anakims?**

Answer: The Emims were an ancient, formidable people who inhabited the territory east of the Jordan, specifically in the land later occupied by the Ammonites. [Deuteronomy 2:10-11](/deuteronomy/2-10 "Deuteronomy 2:10-11 - The Emims and Their Land") describes them as "a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims." They are compared to the Anakims because the Anakims were a well-known race of giants, whose immense stature and strength were legendary and often evoked fear (e.g., [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - The Spies' Report on the Anakim")). This comparison emphasizes the extraordinary physical size and intimidating presence of the Emims, making God's act of destroying them all the more impressive and highlighting His absolute power over even the most formidable human forces.

**What is the significance of "the LORD destroyed them before them"?**

Answer: This phrase is crucial as it attributes the destruction of the Emims directly to Yahweh, "the LORD." It emphasizes divine agency and omnipotence. The phrase "before them" indicates that the Ammonites were witnesses to this powerful act of God, allowing them to take possession of the land. For the Israelites, hearing this account from Moses, it served as a powerful precedent and reassurance. If God could dispossess such a mighty people as the Emims for the Ammonites, He could certainly do the same for Israel as they prepared to conquer Canaan, despite the formidable inhabitants they would face (e.g., [Joshua 11:21-22](/joshua/11-21 "Joshua 11:21-22 - Joshua's Conquest of the Anakim")). It underscores God's faithfulness to His plans and His ability to clear the way for His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 2:21, though set in the context of ancient Israel's conquest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "giants" that Israel faced—the Anakims and Emims—were physical manifestations of obstacles to their inheritance, but Christ conquered the ultimate "giants" of sin, death, and the devil that stood in the way of humanity's eternal inheritance. Just as the LORD "destroyed them before them" to clear the way for His people, so too did Christ, through His death and resurrection, "destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). This victory ensures that believers, the spiritual Israel, can "succeed them, and dwell in their stead," inheriting eternal life and the heavenly kingdom promised by God ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Christ is the true Joshua, leading His people into a greater promised land, not through physical conquest, but through spiritual victory, making a way where there was no way, and enabling us to overcome every spiritual obstacle by His power ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

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.