Overview
The Bible addresses rephaim across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, Joshua and Genesis. Closely related themes include Og, Bashan, Rephaim, or Giants, the and Abraham. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Og, Ham, Chedorlaomer and Moses.
Key Bible verses about rephaim
Old Testament
Genesis
Deuteronomy
Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.
Joshua
And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. giants: or, Rephaims
People in the Bible and rephaim
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying rephaim for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 14:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Deuteronomy, Joshua and Genesis each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Og, Ham and Chedorlaomer and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Og, Bashan, Rephaim, or Giants, the and Abraham.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about rephaim?
The Bible addresses rephaim across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, Joshua and Genesis. Closely related themes include Og, Bashan, Rephaim, or Giants, the and Abraham. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Og, Ham, Chedorlaomer and Moses.
How many Bible verses are about rephaim?
The Bible references rephaim in 9 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention rephaim?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 14:5: “And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, Shaveh: or, The plain of Kiriathaim”
Which people in the Bible are associated with rephaim?
Og, Ham, Chedorlaomer, Moses and Joshua.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on rephaim.
Preach a series on Rephaim →