Rephaim

The Rephaim, also referred to as Zamzummin by the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:20), were a race of giants who inhabited parts of Canaan before the Israelite conquest. They are first mentioned inGenesis 14:5, where they were defeated by Chedorlaomer and his allies in Ashteroth-karnaim. The Rephaim were one of the groups that inhabited the land promised to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:20). They were known for their great stature and strength, and their land was characterized by large, fortified cities (Deuteronomy 3:11, 13). The Rephaim were gradually dispossessed of their land by the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. The Ammonites drove them out of the territory east of the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 2:20-21), while the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, defeated Og, the king of Bashan, who was described as the last of the Rephaim (Jos.12.4; 13.12). Despite their formidable reputation, the Israelites were able to overcome the Rephaim with God's help and claim their inheritance in the Promised Land (Joshua 17:15).