דברים, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״א

The history of conquering the land is filled with encounters against ancient, powerful nations. Recording these events captures not only the identity of these people but also the deep psychological impact they left on those around them. The chain of inheriting different territories highlights how terrifying nations were ultimately defeated through Divine providence.

A central group in this history is the Rephaim. The primary approach among commentators is that their name reflects the paralyzing effect they had on their enemies; anyone who looked at them felt their hands go weak with fear. Some connect this dread to the world of the dead, suggesting they frightened people much like ghosts terrify the living [שד״ל]. Others view them as the last remnants of an ancient, prehistoric race of giants that eventually went extinct [רש ר הירש]. From a social and military perspective, it is suggested that they were a wild, untamed society living without any formal government or rule of law. Every person simply did whatever they pleased, which actually made them much harder to defeat than an organized army [העמק דבר].

These people were held in high regard and shared the same elite status as the well-known giants of the era [הטור הארוך, ביאור יש״ר]. However, others argue that this was a popular misconception. The people of that time mistakenly thought they were giants because of their immense bravery, but their true and primary name was actually the Emim [חזקוני]. There is a distinct difference between these titles. While being called a giant describes a tall physical stature, the name Emim captures the psychological terror they inflicted upon anyone who saw them [רש ר הירש]. The Moabites, who spoke a language very close to Hebrew [ביאור שטיינזלץ], specifically called them Emim because of the deep anxiety and dread they inspired.

Detailing the traits of these nations serves two main purposes. First, it magnifies the miracle of their defeat. The fact that the Moabites managed to conquer a wild, terrifying nation of giants proves that this was no ordinary military victory. It was a direct inheritance granted by God, and nothing can stand in His way [העמק דבר, ברכת אשר]. Second, it connects directly to the promise of the land. The Rephaim were one of the ten nations originally promised to Abraham. This specific territory was given to the descendants of Lot, the Moabites, as an inheritance and as a reward for Lot remaining silent to protect Abraham in Egypt. When the Moabites renamed the conquered people the Emim, it was not merely a change in language. It served as a legal act of acquisition, officially marking their new ownership and control over the land [אור החיים, רבנו בחיי, שפתי כהן].