rephaim Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
rephaim in Easton's Bible Dictionary
lofty men; giants, (Gen. 14:5; 2 Sam. 21:16, 18, marg. A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deut. 3:13, R.V.; A.V., "giants"). The aborigines of Israel, afterwards conquered and dispossessed by the Canaanite tribes, are classed under this general title. They were known to the Moabites as Emim, i.e., "fearful", (Deut. 2:11), and to the Ammonites as Zamzummim. Some of them found refuge among the Philistines, and were still existing in the days of David. We know nothing of their origin. They were not necessarily connected with the "giants" (R.V., "Nephilim") of Gen. 6:4. (See GIANTS T0001474.)
rephaim in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
REPH'AIM (giants), the name of a race of giants who lived east of the Jordan. Chedorlaomer defeated them. Gen 14:5. Their land was promised to Abraham's seed. Gen 15:20. At some time before Israel's coming they were driven out of their possessions. Deut 2:10 (Heb.), and lived in the West of Palestine, where they had possessions. Josh 15:8. See below.