Topical Encyclopedia
The Emim were an ancient people mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the early history of the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land. The name "Emim" is believed to mean "terrors" or "fearful ones," reflecting the formidable reputation they held among neighboring peoples.
Biblical ReferencesThe primary biblical reference to the Emim is found in
Deuteronomy 2:10-11, which provides insight into their identity and the land they inhabited: "The Emim used to live there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakim. Like the Anakim, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emim."
This passage indicates that the Emim were considered part of the Rephaim, a group of ancient giants known for their size and strength. The Anakim, another group of giants, are mentioned alongside the Emim, suggesting a similarity in stature and reputation. The Moabites, who lived in the region east of the Dead Sea, referred to these people as Emim, highlighting the fear and awe they inspired.
Historical ContextThe Emim were among the various peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan and its surrounding regions before the arrival of the Israelites. Their presence is noted in the context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The land of the Emim was located in what would later become the territory of Moab, east of the Jordan River.
The biblical narrative suggests that the Emim, like other giant clans, were eventually displaced by other groups.
Deuteronomy 2:12 notes that the Horites were dispossessed by the descendants of Esau, and similarly, the Emim were displaced by the Moabites. This displacement is part of the broader theme of divine providence and judgment in the Old Testament, where God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations according to His purposes.
Theological SignificanceThe mention of the Emim in the Bible serves several theological purposes. First, it underscores the might and power of God, who is able to deliver His people from formidable foes. The Emim, despite their fearsome reputation, were not an obstacle to God's plan for the Israelites.
Second, the narrative of the Emim and other giant clans highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. The land promised to Abraham and his descendants was inhabited by powerful nations, yet God assured the Israelites of victory and possession of the land.
Finally, the account of the Emim and their displacement by the Moabites serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations. The Emim, once a great and mighty people, were ultimately subject to the divine will, as were all nations in the biblical narrative.
Cultural and Archaeological InsightsWhile the biblical text provides the primary information about the Emim, archaeological evidence and extrabiblical sources offer limited additional insights. The identification of the Emim with the Rephaim and Anakim suggests a cultural memory of ancient peoples who were perceived as giants. These groups are often associated with the Nephilim mentioned in
Genesis 6:4, although the exact nature and origin of these giants remain a topic of scholarly debate.
In summary, the Emim are depicted in the Bible as a powerful and fearsome people, part of the larger narrative of God's provision and protection for the Israelites. Their account is woven into the fabric of the biblical account of the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, illustrating the themes of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's promises.
ATS Bible Dictionary
EmimA gigantic and warlike race, who in the time of Abraham occupied the country beyond the Jordan, afterwards possessed by the Moabites,Genesis 14:5 De 2:10.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EMIMe'-mim ('emim; Ommaein, Ommein, or Ommiein):
Stated to have been the earlier inhabitants of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:10, 11), and to have been of tall stature, and hence, "accounted Rephaim (or giants) as the Anakim" or the Zamzummim of Ammon (Deuteronomy 2:20). As the name was given to them by the Moabites, it may not have been that by which they called themselves. A tall race, known to the Israelites as REPHAIM (which see), once existed in Southern Palestine as well as on the East side of the Jordan, but its exact relationship is unknown. In the time of Abraham the Emim were living in the Moabite district of Shaveh-kiriathaim, identified with the modern Kureiyat (Genesis 14:5).
A. H. Sayce
Strong's Hebrew
368a.Emim -- "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab... 368, 368a.
Emim. 368b . "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab. Transliteration:
Emim Short Definition:
Emim.
... of Moab NASB Word Usage
Emim (3). 368, 368a.
...368. Eymiym -- "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab
... Emims Plural of 'eymah; terrors;Emim, an early Canaanitish (or Maobitish) tribe --
Emims. see HEBREW 'eymah. 367, 368. Eymiym. 368a . Strong's Numbers.
Library
And ii.
... This majestic exordium has been misunderstood in various ways: First, by those who,
like Hitzig, would understand by the people, [Hebrew:emiM] in ver.2, the...
Chapter xiv
... and in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him and smote
the Rephaim at Ashteroth-Qarnayim and the Zuzim at Ham and theEmim in the...
The Prophet Micah.
... That this is not merely accidental, appears from the beginning of the first discourse,
[Hebrew: wmevemiM klM], "Hear, all ye people." These words literally...
The Nations of the South-East
... women of Israel. The older population, expelled or enslaved by the conquering
Moabites, went by the name ofEmim. It is probable...
The Prophet Joel.
... nations here is but ill adapted to the literal interpretation, appears from the
circumstance, that while Credner understands by the [Hebrew:emiM], Judah and...
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... giants"Rephalm; men of prodigious strength"Zuzim; as having a buzzing and indistinct
manner of speech"Zamzummim; as formidable monsters**"Emim or Anakim...
Thesaurus
Emim (3 Occurrences)...EMIM.
... In the time of Abraham the
Emim were living in the Moabite district of
Shaveh-kiriathaim, identified with the modern Kureiyat (Genesis 14:5). AH Sayce.
...Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... general title. They were known to the Moabites asEmim, ie, "fearful",
(Deuteronomy 2:11), and to the Ammonites as Zamzummim. Some...
Reph'aim (17 Occurrences)
... the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote
the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and theEmim in Shaveh...
Rephaites (10 Occurrences)
... the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote
the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and theEmim in Shaveh...
Emites (2 Occurrences)
... the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote
the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and theEmim in Shaveh...
Anakim (10 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:10 (TheEmim lived therein before, a people great, and many, and
tall, as the Anakim: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Shaveh-kiriathaim (1 Occurrence)
... sha'-ve-kir-ya-tha'-im (shaweh qiryathayim; en Saue te polei): Here Chedorlaomer
is said to have defeated theEmim (Genesis 14:5). the Revised Version margin...
Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... tongue prevailing in Palestine. The original inhabitants of Moab were the
Emim (Deuteronomy 2:10), "a people great.... and tall, as...
Zuzim (1 Occurrence)
... fourteenth year Chedorlaomer came, and the kings who were with him, and struck the
Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and theEmim in Shaveh...
Zuzites (1 Occurrence)
... the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, and smote
the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and theEmim in Shaveh...
Resources
Who were the Rephaim? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Chedorlaomer / Kedorlaomer? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
