Throughout the Bible, there are many fascinating accounts of giants, people of great stature who once roamed the earth. These stories, often filled with details of immense strength and size, leave us wondering… How tall were the giants in the Bible? Were they literal giants, or do these tales serve a deeper symbolic meaning? In this Devotional, we’ll explore the Biblical accounts of giants, examine the historical context, and explore some modern perspectives on this colossal topic.
List of Giants in the Bible
The Hebrew Bible contains numerous stories of well-known giants who played significant roles in the history of the human race. From the towering figures of the Nephilim to warriors like Goliath of Gath, these giants are depicted as men of great size and strength. Their presence often symbolized the overwhelming challenges faced by the people of Israel. Despite their immense stature, the Bible emphasizes that no giant, no matter how fearsome, could stand against the power of God. Through faith in God, and ultimately through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, these giants were defeated, underscoring the Bible’s message that true strength doesn’t come from physical might, but from trusting in the Lord. Let’s take a look at the list of giants in the Bible starting with the one you probably already know.
The Most Famous Giant: The Height of Goliath
When we think of giants in the Bible, Goliath is the first to come to mind. He’s undoubtedly the most renowned giant, standing as a towering warrior who opposed the young King David. According to the original Hebrew text of the Bible, Goliath’s height was “six cubits and a span,” which translates to approximately nine and a half feet. However, some early versions of the Bible, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint, suggest Goliath may have been closer to four cubits and a span, which would make him about six and a half feet tall, a tall man, but perhaps not a true giant by modern standards.
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
1 Samuel 17:4 ESV
Whether Goliath was nearly ten feet tall or simply a very tall man, this ancient Philistine warrior’s presence on the battlefield was undeniably intimidating. The story of David’s victory over Goliath remains a testament to the power of faith over physical might that still inspires our faith today.
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.
1 Samuel 17:48-51 New King James Version
In ancient times, especially in the context of the Israelite spies who scouted the land of Canaan, people of unusual height were regarded with awe and fear. Let’s read about them next.
The Sons of Anak: Giants in the Promised Land
Another group of giants mentioned in the Old Testament are the Sons of Anak, also known as the descendants of Anak. When the Israelite spies explored the Promised Land, they reported seeing people of great stature, describing them as a “race of giants.” They claimed these giants made them feel like “grasshoppers”. This vivid comparison paints a picture of the immense size of these ancient people.
And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Numbers 13:32-33 NKJV
Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”
Deuteronomy 1:28 NKJV
The Anakim, as they are called, were believed to be descended from the Nephilim, a mysterious group mentioned in Genesis 6:4. These Biblical giants are described as the offspring of the sons of God (often interpreted as fallen angels) and the daughters of men (human women). This union supposedly produced a race of giants, also called “men of renown.” The story of the Nephilim plays a key role in explaining the existence of giants before the Great Flood. Here’s their story.
The Nephilim: Sons of God and Daughters of Men
The origin of the giants in the Bible is often traced back to Genesis 6, where the Nephilim are introduced. The Hebrew word Nephilim means “the fallen ones”. According to the Hebrew text, the sons of God (fallen angels) saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and took them as wives. Their offspring were the Nephilim, described as “the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”
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.
Genesis 6:4 NIV
King Og of Bashan: The Tallest Giant in the Bible
Another significant giant in the Bible is King Og of Bashan, who ruled during the time of Moses. Og was said to be one of the last of the Rephaim, a group of giants mentioned throughout Biblical references. Deuteronomy 3:11 gives a specific height measurement of Og’s bed, stating that it was “nine cubits long and four cubits wide.” If we use the common cubit of around 18 inches, King Og’s bed would be about 13.5 feet long and 6 feet wide—truly enormous!
(For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit.)
Deuteronomy 3:11 ESV
While this doesn’t directly tell us Og’s exact height or specific measurements, it implies that he was an extraordinarily large man, probably the tallest man of his time and possibly the tallest giant in the Bible. His bed, likely made of iron to support his great size, was kept as a relic in Rabbath of the children of Ammon, further solidifying the legend of this great king of Bashan.
The Amorites: Giants Among the Nations
In Amos 2:9-10, the Bible speaks of the Amorites, describing them as a people of great stature, “Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks.” The Amorites, who were one of the many nations occupying the land of Canaan, are often considered part of the broader group of Biblical giants due to their immense size and strength. This comparison to sky-high trees highlights their great height and the formidable nature of the challenge they posed to the children of Israel as they sought to enter the Promised Land.
The Amorites are mentioned multiple times throughout the Old Testament, often as enemies that Israel had to confront as they journeyed towards the land God had promised them. Despite their intimidating size, God’s hand was evident in these battles. In this passage from Amos, God reminds the Israelites that it was by His power, not their own strength, that the Amorites were defeated.
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them,
Whose height was like the height of the cedars,
And he was as strong as the oaks;
Yet I destroyed his fruit above
And his roots beneath.
Also it was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt,
And led you forty years through the wilderness,
To possess the land of the Amorite.
Amos 2:9-10 NKJV
These verses also reflect the broader theme of God’s deliverance throughout the Bible. The Israelite spies may have feared the giant Nephilim and other great nations like the Amorites, but God had already promised them victory. By mentioning the Amorites in Amos, God underscores the fact that no matter how insurmountable the odds seem, He’s in control and can overcome any obstacle, no matter the size.
The Amorites had a fearsome reputation in the Old Testament, but the Biblical accounts of their battles with God’s people leave no doubt about the role of God’s hand in their defeat.
The Rephaim: Giants of Ancient Times
The Rephaim are mentioned multiple times throughout the Old Testament, often associated with the mighty and towering figures who once lived in the land of Canaan and surrounding regions. The Bible describes the Rephaim as a people of great size and strength, considered giants by those who encountered them. They’re mentioned alongside other groups of Biblical giants, such as the Anakim, Emim, and Zamzummim.
In passages like Deuteronomy 3:11, the Rephaim are closely linked to figures such as King Og of Bashan, who is described as the last remnant of giants. His great height and enormous iron bed are used as examples of the size and strength attributed to the Rephaim. The Bible also indicates that these giants were considered a major obstacle to the children of Israel as they entered the Promised Land, but God’s hand ultimately delivered His people from their grasp.
The Rephaim are not just a symbol of physical might but also a reminder that, no matter how intimidating the opposition, God’s people can rely on His power to overcome any challenge, as demonstrated in the stories of King David and other Biblical heroes who faced these giants.
The Emim: Giants of Old
In Deuteronomy 2:10-11, the Emim are described as tall people, who lived in the region of Moab before the Israelites arrived.
The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim.
Deuteronomy 2:10–11 NKJV
The Emim were part of the broader group of Biblical giants, often associated with the descendants of the Nephilim or Rephaim. Their great stature and powerful strength made them intimidating, much like the Sons of Anak, who also lived in the land of Canaan. The Emim were so imposing that they were remembered by later generations for their enormous size and presence in the land.
Despite their great height and strength, like other giants in the Bible, the Emim were ultimately driven out, showing once again that no matter how intimidating the challenge, God’s hand was at work in delivering His people into the Promised Land.
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The Zuzim (Zamzummim): Giants of the Rephaim
In Deuteronomy 2:20-21, we learn about the Zuzim, also known as the Zamzummim, men of great stature who were also a part of the Rephaim, a group often associated with giants in the Bible.
That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, just as He had done for the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, even to this day.
Deuteronomy 2:20-22 NKJV
The Zuzim were considered formidable due to their size and strength, similar to other Biblical giants like the Anakim and Emim. Despite their reputation and power, the Bible tells us that God allowed the Ammonites to defeat them, driving them out of their land. This highlights a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, that no matter how mighty a people may seem, God’s sovereignty ultimately determines the course of history.
The Zuzim are another example of the mysterious and mighty giants who lived during ancient times, adding to the fascinating accounts of great giants throughout the Bible.
The Egyptian Giant is Defeated
In 1 Chronicles 11:23, we find a fascinating account of an Egyptian giant defeated by one of David’s mighty men, Benaiah. The verse describes this Egyptian man as being “five cubits tall,” which would make him approximately seven and a half feet tall using the common cubit measurement. Benaiah, known for his bravery and skill, faced this gigantic Egyptian in combat, armed only with a staff. Despite the giant’s imposing size and spear “like a weaver’s beam,” Benaiah struck him down, seizing the giant’s spear to deliver the final blow.
And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
1 Chronicles 11:23 ESV
This encounter shows us the courage of David’s warriors, who faced giants and enemies of great size without fear. It also reflects the broader Biblical theme that is important in our lives today, that size and strength alone don’t determine the outcome of a battle. Faith and courage in God’s power are what truly matter, as demonstrated in this and other Biblical accounts of courage.
Jonathan and the Giant with Six Fingers and Toes
In 1 Chronicles 20:6-8, we encounter another well-known giant who was part of the descendants of Rapha. This giant, notable for having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, totaling twenty-four digits, was a fearsome warrior from Gath, the same city as Goliath. Like many other giants in the Bible, this warrior challenged the armies of Israel, but he was ultimately slain by Jonathan, the nephew of King David.
The defeat of this giant, along with others from the same race of giants, demonstrates that even the most formidable opponents could not stand against God’s chosen people. The repeated victories over these enormous enemies illustrates that no matter how great the physical threat is, God’s hand is always protecting and delivering His people.
And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
1 Chronicles 20:6-8 ESV
How Tall Were These Giants, Really?
While we can’t know the specific height measurements of every giant mentioned in God’s Word, Biblical references suggest they were taller than average humans of their time. Whether Goliath stood at six cubits and a span, or closer to the size of the tallest man in modern history, Robert Wadlow (who reached 8 feet 11 inches), we know that these giants were considered massive.
In ancient times, anyone over six feet tall may have been seen as extraordinary, especially when the average height of people was much shorter then. The common cubit used for measuring in Biblical times also varied, with some sources suggesting that a cubit could be as long as 21 inches. This means that specific details about the giants’ height may differ depending on the version of the ancient texts you reference.
Giants and God’s Hand
In all the questions about giants, there’s one constant, God’s hand was at work in the lives of His people, even when facing overwhelming odds like the descendants of Anak. The children of Israel may have seen themselves as small in comparison to the giants in the land of Canaan, but they knew that God’s power was greater than any physical strength.
God uses seemingly impossible situations to show us His might. David’s victory over Goliath was a profound example of faith overcoming fear, and the Israelite spies eventually conquered the Promised Land despite the giant Nephilim. These victories were a reminder that God’s hand guides His people, no matter the size of the opposition.
Even in times past, when the presence of great giants seemed insurmountable, God’s people found refuge and strength in Him. In our own lives, we may face challenges that seem as big as Biblical giants, but God’s hand is always there to protect, provide, and lead us through every obstacle.
Giants in the Modern Reader’s Perspective
For us in the modern world, these stories of giants provide more than just a little intrigue, they give us a deeper understanding of how God’s people faced their fears by relying on Him for strength. Whether we view these giants as literal as we read the scriptures, or symbolic as we take on “giants” in our own lives, their presence in the Bible reflects the human condition of confronting overwhelming challenges with faith in Jesus Christ.
The giants of the Bible remind us that, no matter how insurmountable the obstacles we face may seem, God is always bigger. His hand is at work in our lives, just as it was in the days of David and the children of Israel entering the Promised Land. As we explore their specific height measurements, giants remain a source of inspiration and awe, helping us stand firm in the faith today.
Were Giants Real?
So, how tall were the giants in the Bible? The Biblical accounts we just read leave room for interpretation. From Goliath’s height to the giants in the book of Genesis, these towering figures certainly capture our imagination. And it’s no doubt, that Biblical scholars will continue to debate the size of these tall people for the rest of time. But whether they stood at eight, ten, or even twelve feet tall, their great height is a reminder of the immense challenges God’s people faced and overcame with His help.
Giants may have roamed the earth in times past, but today, the “giants” we face take on a different form. However colossal they may be, we can trust that, just as God guided His people through the days of Noah, the wilderness, and beyond, His hand will guide us and help us conquer our giants too.
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