Deuteronomy 2:10
“(The Emim lived therein before, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim.”
What does Deuteronomy 2:10 mean?
The ancient people called the Emim once lived in the region Moses is describing to the Israelites, and they were known for being numerous and exceptionally tall, similar to another giant people group called the Anakim. Moses mentions this detail as he recounts Israel's journey through lands already inhabited by other nations, reminding his listeners that they weren't moving into empty territory. It's a way of acknowledging that other powerful peoples existed before Israel arrived, which makes the Israelites' own future victories feel even more remarkable when God provides them. Understanding these comparisons helps us see how the original audience would have grasped just how formidable some of these obstacles seemed.