Who Were the Giants in the Bible? Understanding the Anakim and God's Command to Destroy Them

When we read about the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, we encounter some challenging passages that raise difficult questions. Why did God command the complete destruction of certain peoples? Who were these mysterious giants mentioned throughout Scripture? Understanding the biblical account of the Anakim and their connection to the Nephilim provides crucial context for these troubling passages.

The Spies' Report: Giants in the Land

In Numbers 13, twelve spies were sent to scout the Promised Land. They returned with confirmation that the land was indeed "flowing with milk and honey," just as God had promised. However, they also brought disturbing news: "There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who had come from the Nephilim. And we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

This report terrified the Israelites. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and His provision in the wilderness, they refused to trust that He would help them defeat these giants. Their lack of faith resulted in forty years of wandering in the desert until that entire generation died off, with only Joshua and Caleb entering the Promised Land.

Who Were the Anakim?

The Anakim were descendants of the Nephilim, a race of giants mentioned in Genesis 6. These weren't mythological creatures from Greek legends, but real people of extraordinary size and strength who posed a genuine threat to Israel's conquest of the land.

The biblical writers deliberately connected these giant clans to the supernatural rebellion that began in Genesis 6 with the "sons of God" and continued through the Tower of Babel incident. This wasn't merely a battle for territory—it was spiritual warfare between God and the forces that opposed His plan for humanity.

The Connection to Ancient Rebellion

The presence of giant clans in Canaan represented more than a military challenge. They were living reminders of humanity's rebellion against God, tracing their lineage back to the pre-flood corruption described in Genesis 6. For the biblical writers, these peoples embodied the ongoing supernatural opposition to God's covenant people.

God's Strategic Route to Victory

When the new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land, God didn't lead them through the southern route as before. Instead, He brought them through the Transjordan region to the east. This wasn't accidental—it was a strategic approach that would demonstrate His power over the giant clans.

Clearing the Way: Edom, Moab, and Ammon

As Israel traveled north, they encountered territories where giant clans had previously lived. Remarkably, these giants had already been defeated and driven out by the descendants of Abraham's relatives—Esau and Lot. The Moabites called these giants the "Emim," while the Ammonites knew them as the "Zamzumim."

This pattern revealed God's sovereignty over the giant bloodlines. Even before Israel arrived, He had been orchestrating their defeat through other descendants of Abraham.

The Final Confrontation: Sihon and Og

Israel's journey led them to the last stronghold of Nephilim descendants in the Transjordan: the kingdoms of Sihon and Og. These weren't random military encounters—they were the culmination of God's judgment on the giant clans.

Why These Kings Had to Die

Sihon was an Amorite king, and the Amorites were specifically mentioned in God's promise to Abraham. In Genesis 15:16, God told Abraham that his descendants would return to the land "in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." By Moses' time, that iniquity had reached its full measure.

The prophet Amos later described God's destruction of the Amorites, saying their "height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks." This wasn't poetic exaggeration—it was a reference to their giant stature and supernatural strength.

Og: The Last of the Giants

King Og of Bashan represented the final remnant of the Rephaim, another name for the giant clans. The biblical account provides a fascinating detail about Og's iron bed, which measured nine cubits long and four cubits wide. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that beds of these exact dimensions were used in Babylonian religious rituals, suggesting Og's connection to pagan worship practices.

The Spiritual Significance of Bashan

Bashan, Og's kingdom, held special significance in ancient Jewish understanding. The region was associated with the "gates of hell" and was believed to be connected to Mount Hermon, where Jewish tradition placed the descent of the rebellious "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6. The very name of the mountain shares linguistic roots with the Hebrew word for "devoted to destruction."

Why Complete Destruction Was Necessary

Modern readers often struggle with God's command to completely destroy these peoples, including women and children. However, understanding the nature of these societies provides important context. These weren't merely different ethnic groups—they were cultures thoroughly corrupted by practices that included child sacrifice, sexual perversion, and occult rituals.

The Impossibility of Rehabilitation

Just as we recognize today that certain forms of abuse and corruption can create irreversible damage, especially when children are raised in such environments from infancy, God recognized that these societies were beyond redemption. The complete destruction was both judgment and protection—preventing the spread of corruption that would contaminate God's people and their mission.

The Danger of Denying Biblical Truth

Some modern interpreters attempt to explain away the existence of giants, claiming the spies' report was simply a lie meant to discourage the people. However, this interpretation requires ignoring numerous biblical passages that confirm the reality of these giant clans. When we deny clear biblical teaching because it makes us uncomfortable, we risk undermining the authority of Scripture itself.

The existence of giants, demons, and supernatural opposition to God's people is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Dismissing these realities because they don't fit our modern worldview is a dangerous precedent that can lead to questioning other fundamental biblical truths.

Life Application

The account of Israel's victory over the giant clans teaches us that no opposition to God's purposes is too great for Him to overcome. Just as the Israelites faced seemingly impossible odds against supernatural enemies, we face spiritual battles that seem overwhelming in our own strength.

The key lesson is faith in God's power and timing. The Israelites who refused to trust God spent forty years in the wilderness, while those who believed His promises entered into victory. When we encounter "giants" in our own lives—whether they're overwhelming circumstances, persistent sins, or spiritual opposition—we must remember that our God is greater than any force arrayed against us.

This week, identify the "giants" in your life that seem too big to defeat. Are you trusting in your own strength, or are you relying on God's power to give you victory? Consider these questions: What fears or obstacles are keeping you from moving forward in faith? How might God be preparing you for victory even when the opposition seems overwhelming? Are you willing to trust His timing and methods, even when they don't make sense from a human perspective?