Deuteronomy 2:11

11 that they were believed to be as giants, of the generation of Anakim, and they were like the sons of Anakim; forsooth Moabites call them Emim (but the Moabites call them the Emims).

Deuteronomy 2:11 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:11

Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims
Because of their bulky size and tall stature; or,

``the Rephaim were they accounted, even they as the Anakims;''

they were reckoned Rephaim, a name for giants in early times, even as the Anakims were; see ( Genesis 14:5 )

but the Moabites called them Emims;
to distinguish them from the Rephaim; so that it seems this name of Emims was not originally their name, but they are called so by a prolepsis, or anticipation, in ( Genesis 14:5 ) since they had it from the Moabites, a people of a later date.

Deuteronomy 2:11 In-Context

9 And the Lord said to me, Fight thou not against Moabites, neither begin thou battle against them; for I shall not give to thee anything of their land, for I have given Ar into possession to the sons of Lot (for I have given Ar to the sons of Lot for a possession).

10 Emim were the first dwellers thereof, a great people, and strong, and so high, (The Emims were the first inhabitants there, a great and strong people, and so tall,)

11 that they were believed to be as giants, of the generation of Anakim, and they were like the sons of Anakim; forsooth Moabites call them Emim (but the Moabites call them the Emims).

12 Soothly Horims dwelled before in Seir, and when they were put out, and were done away, the sons of Esau dwelled there, as Israel did in the land of his possession, which the Lord gave to him. (And the Horims lived there before in Seir, and when they were put out, and were done away, then the sons of Esau lived there, like the Israelites did in the land of their possession, which the Lord gave to them.)

13 Therefore we rose up, that we should pass the strand of Zered, and we came to it. (And so we rose up, and went out, and crossed over the Zered River.)