Deuteronomy 2:21

21 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 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:21

A people great and many, and tall as the Anakims
As the Emims were, ( Deuteronomy 2:10 ) but the Lord destroyed them before them; destroyed the Zamzummims before the children of Amman; or otherwise they would have been an too much for them, being so numerous, and of such a gigantic stature:

and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead;
and in this way, and by these means, he gave them their land for a possession, ( Deuteronomy 2:19 ) .

Deuteronomy 2:21 In-Context

19 and enter the land of the Ammonites, the descendants of Lot. But do not bother them or start a war with them. I have given the land of Ammon to them as their property, and I will not give you any of their land.’”

20 (That area was once considered the land of the Rephaites, who had lived there, though the Ammonites call them Zamzummites.

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

22 He had done the same for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, for he destroyed the Horites so they could settle there in their place. The descendants of Esau live there to this day.

23 A similar thing happened when the Caphtorites from Crete invaded and destroyed the Avvites, who had lived in villages in the area of Gaza.)