Overview
The Bible addresses rephaim, or giants, the across 18 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, Joshua and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Philistines, Armies, Goliath and Rephaim. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Goliath, Ham and Chedorlaomer.
Key Bible verses about rephaim, or giants, the
Old Testament
Joshua
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 the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
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
1 Samuel
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
2 Samuel
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. the giant: or, Rapha spear: Heb. the staff, or, the head
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. light: Heb. candle, or, lamp
And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. the giant: or, Rapha Saph: or, Sippai
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. Jaareoregim: or, Jair
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. the giant: or, Rapha
And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him. defied: or, reproached
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
People in the Bible and rephaim, or giants, the
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying rephaim, or giants, the for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 14:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Samuel, Joshua and 1 Samuel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David, Goliath and Ham and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Philistines, Armies, Goliath and Rephaim.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about rephaim, or giants, the?
The Bible addresses rephaim, or giants, the across 18 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, Joshua and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Philistines, Armies, Goliath and Rephaim. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Goliath, Ham and Chedorlaomer.
How many Bible verses are about rephaim, or giants, the?
The Bible references rephaim, or giants, the in 18 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention rephaim, or giants, the?
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, or giants, the?
David, Goliath, Ham, Chedorlaomer and Moses.
Preach & teach
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