These also are considered to be Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Giants. Hebrew Raphaim, which Grotius thinks is a word retained from the primitive language. It sometimes denotes giants, and those who groan in hell, on account of the great iniquity of the Raphaim. Job. 26:5. Og was one of their descendants, and inhabited the same country, which they had occupied in the days of Abraham. Calmet. 3:2. Calmet.—They lost much of their power in the war of Sodom. Some of them fled into the land of the Philistines, and established themselves there, 1 Kennicott. 21:15. As these gigantic nations had been overthrown, as well as the Horrhites, when God formerly gave their territories to Moad and to Esau, ( Bible.) so the Hebrews may be assured, that nothing will be able to resist their power, while He is with them. Menochius.