Deuteronomy 2:10

10 (Now the Emim had lived there before. They were big and numerous and tall—just like the Anakim.

Deuteronomy 2:10 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:10

The Emims dwelt there in time past
We read of them as early as the times of Chedorlaomer, ( Genesis 14:5 ) when their dwelling was in Kirjathaim, a city which Sihon king of the Amorites took from the Moabites, and which being taken from him, was with others given to the tribe of Reuben, ( Numbers 32:37 ) . These are by some thought to be the same with the Yemim which Anah found and met with in the wilderness, and defeated, which we render "mules", ( Genesis 36:24 ) . They had their name from the fear and terror they put men into because of their gigantic stature and great strength, as follows: it is probable they were the descendants of Ham:

a people great and many, and tall as the Anakims;
who were very numerous, of a very bulky size of body, and of high stature, like the giants the spies had seen at Hebron, the sons of Anak, a noted giant there, ( Numbers 13:22 Numbers 13:23 ) .

Deuteronomy 2:10 In-Context

8 So we passed through the territory of our relatives who live in Seir, Esau's descendants, leaving the desert road from Elath and from Ezion-geber. Next we turned and went along the Moab wilderness route.

9 The LORD said to me: Don't aggravate Moab. Don't fight them in battle because I won't give any part of their land to you as your own. I have given Ar to Lot's descendants as their property.

10 (Now the Emim had lived there before. They were big and numerous and tall—just like the Anakim.

11 Most people thought the Emim were Rephaim, like the Anakim were. But the Moabites called them "Emim."

12 Additionally, the Horim had lived in Seir previously, but Esau's descendants took possession of their area, eliminating them altogether and settling in their place. That is exactly what Israel did in the land it took possession of, which the LORD gave to them.)

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Frighteners