Who Were the Rephaim?
A Biblical and Theological Analysis of the Post-Flood Giant Clans
I. Introduction: The Mystery of the Rephaim
Among the many ancient peoples referenced in the Old Testament, few provoke more curiosity than the Rephaim. Though often overshadowed by the better-known Nephilim, the Rephaim are mentioned frequently in Scripture—especially in connection with Canaanite geography, Israelite conquest, and the giant clans that opposed God’s people.
The Rephaim are most often described as a people of great stature, connected with other giant clans such as the Anakim, Zamzummim, Zuzim, and Emim. Their origin, nature, and destruction form a significant backdrop to the conquest narratives of Joshua and the early monarchy.
II. Etymology and Dual Meaning of “Rephaim”
The Hebrew word רְפָאִים (Rephaim) has two distinct uses in the Old Testament:
1. Departed Spirits / Shades (Poetic Usage)
In poetic and prophetic texts, Rephaim refers to the dead or departed spirits residing in Sheol, the realm of the dead:
“Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah.
Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?”
— Psalm 88:10–12, New King James Version
“Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming;
It stirs up the dead (Rephaim) for you…”
— Isaiah 14:9, New King James Version
This usage is metaphorical, referring to disembodied spirits or ghostly beings.
2. A Race of Giants (Historical Usage)
In the historical narrative portions of the Old Testament, Rephaim clearly refers to a group of unusually large and powerful people living in Canaan during and after the time of Abraham.
This is the focus of our study.
III. The Rephaim as Giants: Biblical Data
1. Genesis 14:5 – First Mention
“In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim…”
— Genesis 14:5, New King James Version
This is the earliest mention of the Rephaim in Scripture. They are presented as established inhabitants of Canaan who were strong enough to merit a military coalition from the east.
2. Deuteronomy 2:20–21 – Compared to the Anakim
“(That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim,
a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place).”
— Deuteronomy 2:20–21, New King James Version
The Rephaim are closely associated with other giant clans:
Zamzummim (Ammonite region)
Emim (Moabite region)
Anakim (southern Canaan)
These groups were likely regional designations of the same or similar people—descendants of the post-flood giant lines.
3. Og of Bashan: Last of the Rephaim
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead… nine cubits in length and four cubits in width, according to the standard cubit.”
— Deuteronomy 3:11, New King James Version
Og ruled the territory of Bashan (modern-day Golan Heights), east of the Jordan. His bed—likely symbolic of his height—was over 13 feet long and 6 feet wide, showing immense stature and physical might.
“And they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. So Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.”
— Numbers 21:33, New King James Version
God gave Israel victory over Og, signaling that no enemy—no matter how terrifying in stature—could resist the Lord's purposes.
IV. Where Did the Rephaim Come From?
This depends on how one interprets the aftermath of the Genesis 6 rebellion.
“There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward…”
— Genesis 6:4, New King James Version
This phrase—“and also afterward”—opens the possibility that:
There was a second angelic incursion after the flood (though not explicitly recorded).
The giant gene line survived the flood, likely through the wives of Noah’s sons.
Since the Nephilim were hybrids—angelic and human—it follows that the Rephaim, Anakim, Emim, etc. may be post-flood manifestations of that corrupted line.
V. Ancient Testimony and Translation Evidence
The Septuagint (LXX) translates Rephaim using words like:
Gigas – “giant”
Titanes – “titans” (in rare references)
This indicates that Second Temple-era Jews understood the Rephaim to be literal giants, not metaphorical warriors.
Additionally, Egyptian texts refer to tribes of tall, fierce warriors in Canaan, consistent with biblical records.
VI. Were the Rephaim Fully Human?
From a theological perspective:
The original Nephilim were hybrids, not fully human.
The Rephaim, Emim, and Anakim may have been genetically human but corrupted, the result of intermarrying with Nephilim-descended lines.
The distinction is important because God commanded their total destruction—men, women, and children—suggesting their bloodline was irreparably tainted (see Deuteronomy 20:16–18).
VII. Theological Significance
Rephaim opposed the people of God—a clear picture of Satanic resistance to the covenant line.
Their destruction shows God’s justice against corruption, and His power over even the most fearsome enemies.
The conquest of these giants demonstrates that true strength lies not in the flesh, but in obedience to the Lord.
“You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt…”
— Deuteronomy 7:18, New King James Version
VIII. Conclusion: What Happened to the Rephaim?
The Rephaim were a real people, known for their massive size and military power.
They were either descended from or genetically related to the Nephilim.
They were destroyed through God’s judgment, especially during the conquests of Moses, Joshua, and David.
No biblical record suggests they survived.
Today, while some may speculate about genetic remnants, there is no evidence that Rephaim bloodlines continue. Their fate serves as a sobering reminder that God will bring down every stronghold that exalts itself against Him.
“The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will destroy them and bring them down before you;
so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.”
— Deuteronomy 9:3, New King James Version
