Devarim 2:10

10 The Emim dwelt therein in times past, a people great, many, and tall, as the Anakim;

Devarim 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 ) .

Devarim 2:10 In-Context

8 And when we went on past our brethren the Bnei Esav, who dwell in Seir, through the road of the Aravah from Eilat, and from Etzyon-Gever, we turned and passed by on the road through the midbar of Moav.

9 And Hashem said unto me, Harass not the Moavim, neither provoke them to milchamah for I will not give thee of their land for a yerushah; because I have given Ar unto the Bnei Lot for a yerushah.

10 The Emim dwelt therein in times past, a people great, many, and tall, as the Anakim;

11 Which also were accounted Refa’im, as the Anakim; but the Moavim called them Emim.

12 The Chorim also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the Bnei Esav succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place; as Yisroel did unto the eretz of his yerushah Hashem gave unto them.