Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, giants are often depicted as formidable beings of great size and strength, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The term "giant" is used to describe individuals or groups who are physically larger than the average human, often instilling fear and awe in those who encounter them.
Old Testament References1.
Nephilim: The earliest mention of giants in the Bible is found in
Genesis 6:4, which states, "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown." The Nephilim are described as the offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men," leading to much debate and speculation about their nature and origin.
2.
Rephaim: Another group of giants mentioned in the Old Testament is the Rephaim.
Deuteronomy 2:20-21 notes, "That too was regarded as a land of the Rephaim. The Rephaim formerly lived there, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummim, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakim. But the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place." The Rephaim are often associated with other giant clans such as the Anakim and the Emim.
3.
Anakim: The Anakim are described as a race of giants inhabiting the land of Canaan.
Numbers 13:33 reports the account of the Israelite spies: "We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them." The Anakim were known for their intimidating stature and were a significant obstacle for the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan.
4.
Goliath: Perhaps the most famous giant in the Bible is Goliath, the Philistine warrior defeated by David.
1 Samuel 17:4 describes him: "Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height." Goliath's defeat by the young shepherd David is a pivotal moment, symbolizing God's power to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceGiants in the Bible often symbolize the challenges and adversaries faced by God's people. Their presence serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty and the faith required to overcome great obstacles. The accounts of giants emphasize themes of divine intervention, faith, and the triumph of God's chosen people against overwhelming odds.
Interpretations and DebatesThe nature and existence of giants have been subjects of theological and scholarly debate. Some interpretations suggest that giants were literal beings, while others propose symbolic or allegorical readings. The identity of the "sons of God" in
Genesis 6:4, for instance, has been variously interpreted as fallen angels, descendants of Seth, or other ancient rulers.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of giants, from the Nephilim to Goliath, serves as a testament to the enduring themes of faith, courage, and divine deliverance. These narratives continue to inspire and challenge believers, inviting them to trust in God's power and providence in the face of life's giants.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A man of extraordinary bulk and stature.
2. (n.) A person of extraordinary strength or powers, bodily or intellectual.
3. (n.) Any animal, plant, or thing, of extraordinary size or power.
4. (a.) Like a giant; extraordinary in size, strength, or power; as, giant brothers; a giant son.
Strong's Hebrew
7498b. rapha --giant...giant. Transliteration: rapha or raphah Short Definition:
giant. Word Origin from
raphah Definition
giant NASB Word Usage
giant (4), giants (3). 7498a, 7498b
...6062. Anaq -- "neck," agiant people around Hebron and in...
... 6061, 6062. Anaq. 6063 . "neck," agiant people around Hebron and in Philistia.
Transliteration: Anaq Phonetic Spelling: (an-aw-kee') Short Definition: Anakim...
1555. Golyath -- a Philistinegiant
... 1554, 1555. Golyath. 1556 . a Philistinegiant. Transliteration: Golyath
Phonetic Spelling: (gol-yath') Short Definition: Goliath....
7497. Rapha -- inhab. of an area East of the Jordan
...giant, Rapha, Rephaims. Or raphah {raw-faw'}; from rapha' in the sense of invigorating;
agiant --giant, Rapha, Rephaim(-s). See also Beyth Rapha'....
5303. Nephilim -- "giants," name of two peoples, one before the...
...giant. Or nphil {nef-eel'}; from naphal; properly, a feller, ie A bully or tyrant --
giant. see HEBREW naphal. 5302, 5303. Nephilim or Nephilim. 5304 ....
1368. gibbor -- strong, mighty
... warriors (17), who is mighty (1). champion, chief, excel,giant, man, mighty
man, one, strong man,. Or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore...
1051. Beth Rapha -- an Israelite name
... name NASB Word Usage Beth-rapha (1). Beth-rapha. From bayith and rapha'; house of
(the)giant; Beth-Rapha, an Israelite -- Beth-rapha. see HEBREW bayith....
7498. Rapha' -- a Benjamite
... Rapha Or Raphah {raw-faw'}; probably the same as rapha';giant; Rapha or Raphah,
the name of two Israelites -- Rapha. see HEBREW rapha'. 7497, 7498....
Library
In the Dungeon ofGiant Discourager
... CHAPTER NINE IN THE DUNGEON OFGIANT DISCOURAGER. IN THE DUNGEON OFGIANT
DISCOURAGER I feel very discouraged at times, and sometimes...
The Routing ofGiant Doubt
... CHAPTER ELEVEN THE ROUTING OFGIANT DOUBT. THE ROUTING OFGIANT DOUBT Doubts! doubts!...
He had a great encounter with oldGiant Doubt; so let us pay him a visit....
The Torments ofGiant Bad Feelings
... CHAPTER TEN THE TORMENTS OFGIANT BAD FEELINGS. THE TORMENTS OFGIANT BAD
FEELINGS I am just a bundle of feelings. I never imagined...
In the Hands ofGiant Accuser
... CHAPTER SEVEN IN THE HANDS OFGIANT ACCUSER. IN THE HANDS OFGIANT ACCUSER... I
recall one battle I had withGiant Accuser [Matthew 4:1-11]....
Conflicts withGiant Mistake
... CHAPTER EIGHT CONFLICTS WITHGIANT MISTAKE. CONFLICTS WITHGIANT MISTAKE... But at
first Mistake assumes all the characteristics of a truegiant....
David's victory Over theGiant
... THE OLD TESTAMENT DAVID'S VICTORY OVER THEGIANT. As long as Saul lived
there was bitter war with the Philistines. Whenever Saul...
The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... and higher, there appeared before them a marble castle with gates of brass, which
they guessed, from inquiries they had made, belonged to thegiant Blanderon....
Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... After enumerating these, Scripture returns to the first of the sons, and says,
"Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be agiant on the earth....
Table of Contents
... 7. In the Hands ofGiant Accuser. 8. Conflicts withGiant Mistake. 9. In the Dungeon
ofGiant Discourager. 10. The Torments ofGiant Bad Feelings. 11....
The Power of a Pebble.
... them. Out of the Philistine camp agiant came one day, Goliath of Gath.... And
this was the way David armed himself to meet thegiant. He...
Thesaurus
Giant (8 Occurrences)... 4. (a.) Like a
giant; extraordinary in size, strength, or power; as,
giant brothers;
a
giant son. Multi-Version Concordance
Giant (8 Occurrences).
...Giants (18 Occurrences)
... In Samuel 21:16, 18, 20, 33, "thegiant" is (AV) the rendering of the singular form
ha raphah, which may possibly be the name of the father of the four giants...
Goliath (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Great. (1.) A famousgiant of Gath, who... (2.) In 2 Samuel
21:19 there is anothergiant of the same name mentioned as slain by Elhanan....
Saph (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Extension, the son of thegiant whom Sibbechai slew
(2 Samuel 21:18); called also Sippai (1 Chronicles 20:4). Int....
Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... ref'-a-im, re-fa'-im (repha'-im, from rapha', "a terrible one "hence "giant," in
1 Chronicles 20:4, yelidhe ha-rapha', "sons of thegiant"; the King James...
Abishai (25 Occurrences)
... Samuel 18:2, 5, 12). He slew the Philistinegiant Ishbi-benob, who threatened
David's life (2 Samuel 21:15-17). He was the chief...
Sibbecai (5 Occurrences)
... He slew thegiant Saph in the battle of Gob (2 Samuel 21:18; RV, "Sibbechai").
Called also Mebunnai (23:27). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Argob (6 Occurrences)
... The land bears still the appearance of having been called the `land of giants' under
thegiant Og." "I have more than once entered a deserted city in the...
Gath (44 Occurrences)
... its people, it does not seem to have been captured until the time of David (1
Chronicles 18:1). It was rendered famous as the abode of thegiant Goliath whom...
Descended (64 Occurrences)
... there was a man of great stature, who had on every hand six fingers, and on every
foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to thegiant....
Resources
What caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? | GotQuestions.orgWas Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any evidence for the giants mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgGiant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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