Giants appear in several Bible stories, symbolizing large challenges or foes. They’re often depicted as obstacles that, with God’s help, can be overcome. Stories like David and Goliath teach us that no problem is too big for God, encouraging us to trust Him in facing life’s battles.
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What Does The Bible Say About Giants
Genesis 6:4
“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.”
This verse refers to the Nephilim, who were known as giants and were offspring of the union between the sons of God and the daughters of humans. They were renowned for their strength and power.
These giants symbolize the corruption and wickedness that prevailed during those times. The presence of giants reminds us of the consequences of allowing sin and evil to thrive, serving as a warning to stay faithful to God and His commandments.
Joshua 11:21
“At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir, and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities.”
This verse recounts how Joshua eliminated the Anakites, a race of giants, from the hill country of Judah and Israel. The conquest of the giants reflects Joshua’s obedience to God’s command to take possession of the Promised Land.
Joshua’s victory over the giants serves as a reminder of the power and faithfulness of God in enabling His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s guidance and following His commands in order to achieve victory over the giants in our lives.
Deuteronomy 3:11
“Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.”
This verse describes Og, the king of Bashan, who was the last of the Rephaites, a race of giants. Og’s enormous bed serves as a testament to his size and strength, highlighting the extraordinary nature of these giants.
The mention of Og and his oversized bed emphasizes the extent of the giants’ dominance in the land. It also showcases the power of God, who enabled the Israelites, including Moses and Joshua, to defeat the Rephaites and claim victory over the giants inhabiting the Promised Land.
Numbers 13:33
“We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
This verse describes the report of the spies who were sent to survey the land of Canaan. They encountered the descendants of Anak, who were giants, and felt small and insignificant in comparison.
This passage highlights the fear and intimidation that giants can instill in us when we focus on our own limitations instead of trusting in God’s strength. It serves as a reminder to rely on God’s power and promises, even when facing daunting challenges that appear like giants in our lives.
1 Samuel 17:4-7
“A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.”
This verse introduces Goliath, a renowned giant and champion of the Philistines. Goliath’s immense size, strength, and intimidating armor are vividly portrayed.
Goliath’s presence represents the external challenges and opposition that can threaten our faith and confidence in God. It teaches us the significance of relying on God’s power rather than our own strength when facing formidable giants in our lives.
1 Samuel 17:49-50
“Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
This verse illustrates the remarkable victory of David, a young shepherd boy, over the giant Goliath. Armed only with a sling and a stone, David demonstrated great courage and faith in God.
This account emphasizes the power of God to bring down even the mightiest giants through unexpected means. It serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God’s strength and His ability to equip us to overcome the giants in our lives.
2 Samuel 21:16
“And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said that he would kill David.”
This verse mentions Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of the giants, who desired to kill David, the anointed king of Israel. Ishbi-Benob’s formidable weaponry and intention to defeat David represent the ongoing threat of giants.
David’s encounter with Ishbi-Benob exemplifies the continuous need to remain vigilant and rely on God’s strength in confronting both physical and spiritual giants that arise throughout our lives. It serves as a reminder that God is our ultimate protector and defender against all adversaries.
Amos 2:9
“Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.”
This verse refers to the Amorites who, although not explicitly identified as giants, were described as tall and strong like the cedars and oaks. Despite their imposing nature, God intervened and brought about their destruction.
This passage underscores God’s sovereignty and power over all beings, regardless of their size or strength. It demonstrates that even the mightiest giants are no match for the Almighty, and serves as a source of encouragement for us to trust in God’s ability to conquer the giants we face.
Deuteronomy 2:10
“The Emites used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites.”
This verse mentions the Emites, a people who were as tall as the Anakites, another race of giants. Their stature and strength made them a formidable presence in the land.
The existence of multiple races of giants emphasizes the pervasive nature of opposition and challenges that can appear overwhelmingly immense. It reminds us of the necessity to rely on God’s power and guidance in confronting the giants in our lives, no matter how numerous or strong they may seem.
Deuteronomy 9:2
“The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: ‘Who can stand up against the Anakites?’”
This verse portrays the reputation of the Anakites as a people who are strong and tall, leading to the perception that they are unbeatable. It reflects the fear and intimidation that these giants evoked in others.
Despite the perception of invincibility, this verse serves as a reminder that no giant is too powerful for God. It encourages us to trust in God’s strength and to stand firm, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges or adversaries.
Deuteronomy 3:13
“The rest of Gilead and also all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (The whole region of Argob in Bashan used to be known as a land of the Rephaites.)”
This verse refers to the region of Bashan, which was inhabited by the Rephaites, a race of giants. The entire area was known for its association with these formidable beings.
The mention of Bashan and the Rephaites serves as a reminder of the constant presence of giants and challenges in our lives. It reinforces the need to trust in God’s guidance and provision as we navigate through obstacles, just as He provided for the tribe of Manasseh in claiming their territory.
1 Chronicles 20:6-8
“In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”
This passage recounts an encounter between Israel and a giant from Gath, known for his extra digits. Despite this peculiar physical characteristic, he was still a descendant of Rapha, symbolizing the ongoing presence of giants.
The defeat of this giant by Jonathan, David’s brother, demonstrates the unwavering resolve and faith of God’s people in facing and conquering formidable adversaries. It serves as a testament to the power of God, who equips His chosen ones to triumph over the giants they encounter.
2 Samuel 21:18-22
“In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.”
These verses describe additional battles fought against the Philistines and descendants of Rapha, who were giants. The triumphs of Sibbekai and Elhanan over these adversaries illustrate the ongoing struggle against giants.
These accounts emphasize the ongoing nature of our battles with giants in various forms throughout our lives. They remind us of the necessity to rely on God’s strength and to sharpen our spiritual weapons in order to overcome the giants we face.
Joshua 11:21-22
“At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir, and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive.”
This verse recounts Joshua’s successful campaign against the Anakites, a race of giants inhabiting the hill country of Judah and Israel. Joshua’s determination led to their destruction, leaving only a few remaining in Philistine cities.
This account emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in overcoming the giants that stand in our way. It encourages us to trust in God’s strength and to press forward in our pursuit of victory, knowing that the triumph over giants is achievable through His guidance.
Genesis 14:5
“In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim”
This verse describes the defeat of the Rephaites, a race of giants, by Kedorlaomer and his allied kings. The Rephaites were located in Ashteroth Karnaim.
This passage illustrates that even giants are not exempt from being overpowered. It reminds us that no matter how imposing or powerful our giants may seem, God has the ability to bring them down and grant us victory.
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 from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place.”
This verse mentions the Zamzummites, who were also known as the Rephaites, and describes them as a strong and numerous people, similar in stature to the Anakites. The Ammonites eventually settled in the land previously inhabited by the Zamzummites.
This passage underscores the continual removal and replacement of giants by God throughout history. It serves as a reminder of His authority over all beings, regardless of their size or strength, and offers encouragement that He can also overcome the giants we encounter in our lives.
Deuteronomy 3:13
“The rest of Gilead and also all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (The whole region of Argob in Bashan used to be known as a land of the Rephaites.)”
This verse refers to the region of Bashan, which was once known as the land of the Rephaites. The area was subsequently given to the half tribe of Manasseh.
The mention of the Rephaites in relation to the territory allocated to Manasseh serves as a reminder of the presence of giants, even in the territories and blessings God assigns to us. It cautions against complacency and emphasizes the need to remain vigilant and reliant on God’s power in conquering the giants we face.
Numbers 13:28-29
“But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”
This verse recounts the report of the spies who explored the land of Canaan. They acknowledged the presence of powerful people, including the descendants of Anak, who were giants.
The spies’ observation serves as a reminder that giants can be found in various forms and locations. It emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s strength and guidance when facing formidable challenges, whether they are physical, spiritual, or related to our surroundings.