The Emites were a race of giants who once inhabited the land of Moab before the Moabites took possession of it. They were related to the Rephaim, a broader category of giant clans mentioned in the Old Testament, including the Anakites, Zuzites, and Zamzummites. The Emites were known for their large stature, strength, and fearsome reputation, yet, like many other ancient giant tribes, they eventually disappeared from history.
Although they are only mentioned briefly in the Bible, the Emites were part of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan and Transjordan, demonstrating that the Promised Land was once occupied by formidable adversaries. Their defeat and displacement by smaller but more strategically positioned nations like the Moabites and Ammonites show how God orchestrated the rise and fall of nations in preparation for Israel’s inheritance.
This essay explores the biblical identity of the Emites, their geographic location, cultural practices, religious beliefs, and their role in biblical history, connecting them to other ancient giant clans.
Words: 1110 / Time to read: 6 minutes
Who Were the Emites?
The Emites are mentioned in only one key biblical passage:
- Deuteronomy 2:10-11 – “The Emites used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites.”
🔹 Key Takeaways from This Passage:
- The Emites were giants – They are compared to the Anakites, another race of tall and powerful warriors.
- They were considered part of the Rephaim – This places them in the same category as other giant clans, including the Zamzummites and Anakites.
- They were later replaced by the Moabites – Despite their size and strength, they were eventually driven out or absorbed into other nations.
The name “Emites” (Hebrew: אימים, Eymim) means “the terrible ones” or “the fearful ones”, reflecting how they were perceived as intimidating warriors by neighboring tribes.
Geographic Location and Cultural Practices
The Emites lived in the land of Moab, east of the Jordan River, before the Moabites settled there.
1. The Moabite Territory (East of the Dead Sea)
- The Emites lived in the region that later became Moabite land, meaning they occupied territory east of the Dead Sea, in modern-day Jordan.
- Genesis 19:37 states that the Moabites were descendants of Lot, meaning they arrived later and replaced the Emites.
2. A Semi-Nomadic Warrior Culture
The Emites, like the Rephaim, may have lived in fortified cities but were likely:
- Nomadic or semi-settled, moving across the land and engaging in raids or warfare.
- Warlike and feared, as their name suggests, possibly serving as mercenaries or enforcers for Canaanite kings.
Since they were ultimately driven out by the Moabites, they may not have had strong centralized governance, relying instead on clan-based leadership.
Biblical References to the Emites
1. The Emites and the Rephaim Connection (Deuteronomy 2:10-11)
The Emites are explicitly identified as part of the Rephaim, alongside other giant clans like the Anakites.
- Deuteronomy 2:10-11 – “The Emites used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites.”
🔹 Key Insights from This Passage:
- The Emites were not just large in size, but also numerous.
- They shared a common heritage with other giants in Canaan, including the Rephaim and Anakites.
- Despite their strength and numbers, they were replaced by the Moabites, demonstrating that military power alone does not determine the longevity of a nation.
2. The Defeat of the Giant Clans (Deuteronomy 2:20-21)
A parallel passage describes how the Ammonites drove out the Zamzummites, another Rephaim-related people:
- Deuteronomy 2:20-21 – “That too was considered a land of the Rephaites, who used to live there; but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites. They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The Lord destroyed them before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place.”
This suggests that God allowed smaller, non-giant nations like the Moabites and Ammonites to defeat powerful giant clans, preparing the land for Israel’s eventual conquest.
Religious Beliefs and Deities of the Emites
Like other Canaanite and Transjordanian tribes, the Emites were almost certainly polytheistic, likely worshiping:
- Chemosh (God of the Moabites)
- Since the Moabites took over Emites’ land, they may have absorbed some of their deities and practices.
- Chemosh was a war god, often associated with child sacrifice and violent conquest (2 Kings 3:26-27).
- Baal and Asherah (Canaanite Fertility and War Gods)
- Like other giant clans, the Emites likely participated in rituals to Baal and Asherah, common in the region.
- Ancestral or Warrior Worship
- Given their reputation as warriors, they may have venerated fallen leaders or ancestors, seeking guidance in battle.
Their pagan practices and idolatry would have made them enemies of God’s people, justifying their eventual removal from the land.
Conclusion
The Emites were a powerful race of giants who once lived in Moabite lands, but they were ultimately displaced by the Moabites as part of God’s plan. As part of the Rephaim, they shared connections with other giant tribes like the Anakites and Zamzummites, yet they did not endure as a lasting civilization.
🔹 Key Lessons from Their History:
- Earthly power is temporary – The Emites were strong and numerous, yet they disappeared because they were not aligned with God’s plan.
- God determines who inherits the land – Even though the Emites were larger and stronger, the Moabites took over their territory because God willed it.
- Giants in the Bible represent physical and spiritual obstacles – Like the Anakites and Rephaim, the Emites serve as a metaphor for the challenges that believers must trust God to overcome.
Though they were once feared, the Emites ultimately faded from history, reinforcing the truth that God alone establishes and removes nations according to His divine will.
Deuteronomy 2:10-11
“The Emites used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites.”
This verse highlights the giant clans’ historical significance while showing that even the most powerful earthly nations are subject to God’s plans.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
