Deuteronomy 2 21

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:

Deuteronomy 2:21 nkjv

a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the LORD destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place,

Deuteronomy 2:21 niv

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

Deuteronomy 2:21 esv

a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; but the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, and they dispossessed them and settled in their place,

Deuteronomy 2:21 nlt

They were also as strong and numerous and tall as the Anakites. But the LORD destroyed them so the Ammonites could occupy their land.

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:21 describes the Emim as the previous inhabitants of the land later given by God to the Moabites. It highlights their formidable nature: "a people great and many and tall as the Anakim." This detail emphasizes God's sovereign power to dispossess even the most terrifying and numerous foes, clearing the way for His chosen peoples, whether it be Moab, Ammon, or Israel, to inherit the land He designates for them.

Deuteronomy 2 21 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 2 details Israel's wilderness journey and the instructions God gave regarding the various peoples they would encounter before entering Canaan. This verse (Deut 2:21) falls within the description of God allotting land to the Moabites. Prior to this, God commanded Israel not to molest the Edomites, as He had given Mount Seir to Esau's descendants (Deut 2:4-5). Likewise, Israel was commanded not to provoke the Moabites, for God had given Ar to them as a possession (Deut 2:9). The narrative then inserts these details about the Emim (and later Zamzummim for Ammon) to show that just as God cleared the land of powerful inhabitants for these other nations, He would also do so for Israel in Canaan.

Historically and culturally, the mention of the Emim and their comparison to the Anakim resonated strongly with the ancient Israelite audience. They were familiar with the terrifying reports of the Anakim from the wilderness wanderings (Num 13). By emphasizing that even these "giants" had been dispossessed by God for other nations, the text reinforces Yahweh's unparalleled power and universal sovereignty. This serves as a powerful reassurance to the Israelites, dispelling any fear that the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, like the Anakim, would be too strong for them. It counters the ancient Near Eastern polytheistic belief that local gods were stronger within their specific territories; Yahweh is presented as the supreme God who determines the boundaries and destinies of all nations. This is a subtle polemic, demonstrating that the God of Israel is not merely a tribal deity, but the ultimate disposer of lands and controller of human history, working His will even through non-Israelite nations.

Deuteronomy 2 21 Word analysis

• the Emim (אֵמִים - 'Emim): This Hebrew name means "terrors" or "dreaded ones," perfectly describing their formidable nature. They were an ancient, non-Israelite people residing east of the Jordan. They are categorized among the Rephaim, an ancient, often giant-like people (Gen 14:5), and their mention here by Moses serves to illustrate God's capacity to clear even the most imposing obstacles.

• lived there formerly (יָשְׁבוּ שָׁם לְפָנִים - yashvu sham ləfanim): Yashvu means "they dwelt" or "they settled," and ləfanim means "before," "in ancient times," or "formerly." This phrase establishes that the Emim were the original, long-standing inhabitants. It emphasizes that God's plan for land distribution was active and established long before Israel's entry, reinforcing divine foreknowledge and sovereignty over history and geography.

• a people great (עַם גָּדוֹל - ʿam gadol): ʿAm means "people" or "nation," and gadol means "great," "large," or "powerful." This indicates their prominence, influence, and potentially large physical stature beyond just being numerically significant. They were not a small, easily displaced group.

• and many (וְרַב - v'rav): Vav is "and," and rav means "numerous," "abundant," or "many." This highlights their significant population, adding to the challenge of dispossessing them. It's not just that they were physically imposing, but they also possessed numerical superiority.

• and tall (וְרָם - v'ram): Vav is "and," and ram means "high," "exalted," or "tall." This explicitly refers to their immense physical stature, a key characteristic that would inspire fear and dread in their opponents.

• as the Anakim (כָּעֲנָקִים - kaʿanakim): Ka means "as" or "like," a comparative particle. ʿAnakim refers to another specific group of giant-like people. This direct comparison is crucial because the Anakim were famously known for their great stature and formidable presence, striking fear into the Israelite spies (Num 13:28, 33). By likening the Emim to the Anakim, Moses vividly communicates the Emim's intimidating nature and underscores the magnitude of God's act in dispossessing them for the Moabites.

• "the Emim... a people great and many and tall as the Anakim": This entire phrase emphatically portrays the Emim as an overwhelmingly powerful and terrifying foe. It leverages the known reputation of the Anakim to fully impress upon the Israelite audience the challenge the Moabites faced (and overcame, by God's help). The description serves as a powerful rhetorical device, designed to instill confidence in Israel: if God could deal with giants for the Moabites, He could certainly do so for His chosen people, Israel. It underscores that no enemy, no matter how strong or numerous, is too mighty for Yahweh.

• "lived there formerly...": This preceding phrase emphasizes that the Emim were long-established, not temporary occupiers. It means God orchestrated their removal from a place they had claimed as home for ages. This further accentuates the immense power of God, who intervenes in the course of history and determines the tenure of nations. His plan is not recent but pre-dates Israel's wanderings.

Deuteronomy 2 21 Bonus section

The account of God dispossessing giants like the Emim for other nations like Moab and Ammon is part of a larger literary device within Deuteronomy chapters 2 and 3, which creates a significant parallel between God's actions for these peoples and His actions for Israel. This structure is often referred to as a "conquest pattern" where divine assistance leads to dispossession and subsequent inheritance. By highlighting God's role in clearing the land for non-Israelite nations, Moses sets a powerful precedent, reinforcing God’s universal control over human history and geopolitics. It anticipates the larger story of Israel's conquest of Canaan, implying that the same powerful God who dealt with the Emim would deal with the Anakim and other inhabitants of Canaan. The detailed description of the Emim serves to remind Israel of their past failure of faith at Kadesh Barnea, providing a strong reason to trust God this time.

Deuteronomy 2 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:21 offers a vital theological and psychological assurance to Israel. It highlights that the Emim, an aboriginal group of giants equivalent to the dreaded Anakim, were utterly dispossessed by God for the benefit of the Moabites. This served as an object lesson for Israel, still harboring fear from their previous encounter with the Anakim (Num 13). The divine principle demonstrated is clear: God's power is absolute and applies universally, determining the destinies and territories of all nations, not just Israel. He orchestrates the rise and fall of peoples, even before Israel’s direct involvement. This act of divine sovereignty should eliminate Israel's fear of the Canaanite giants. If God could clear out the "giants" for Moab and Ammon, He would certainly clear them out for His covenant people, Israel. It underscores that success in conquest stems not from military might or the absence of formidable foes, but from the power and faithfulness of God. It encourages reliance on God's strength over perceived enemy size.