GIANTS. This word was used by the KJV to tr. four different Heb. words (1) גִּבֹּֽור (Job 16:14 KJV); (2) נְפִלִ֞ים (Gen 6:4; Num 13:33); (3) רְפָאִ֛ים (Deut 2:11, 20; 3:11, 13; Josh 12:4; 13:12; 15:8; 17:15; 18:16) and (4) רָפָ֖א or רָפָ֗ה (2 Sam 21:16; 21:22; 1 Chron 20:8). In (1) the word simply means “mighty man, hero, warrior” as it is tr. by all the modern VSS; in (2), (3), and (4), the meanings of the terms are unknown, and, although none of them mean “giants,” they may refer to giants (see below). Hence, the great majority of modern VSS simply transliterate the terms in almost all the places that they occur.

The word “giant” in Eng. may have two meanings. It may refer to a race of beings of superhuman size and strength who appear in the mythology and folklore of most ancient peoples, often at war with the gods; or it may be used to refer to human beings of abnormal and unusual size, usually due to a disease of the pituitary gland, properly referred to as “gigantism.” In modern times medical accounts record a woman 8 ft. 4 1/2 in. tall, while claims have been made in modern times of giants as tall as 9 ft. 3 in. That “giants” occur in the OT in the latter sense admits of no doubt. Goliath of Gath, whom David slew, was “six cubits and a span” in height (1 Sam 17:4). If the ordinary cubit (q.v.) is meant, this represents a height of c. 9 1/2 ft. Compare also Og, king of Bashan, whose “bed of iron” was 13 cubits long and 4 cubits wide (13 ft. x 5 ft.) (Deut 3:11), and the Egyp. whom Benaiah slew, who was 5 cubits tall (c. 7 ft. if the ordinary cubit is meant, 1 Chron 11:23). 2 Samuel 21:15-22 records the exploits of David and several of his men against Philistine giants (although only one is said to be “a man of huge stature,” 2 Sam 21:20; 1 Chron 20:6).

The Rephaim and the Anakim (q.v.), who were among the original inhabitants of Pal. (cf. Gen 15:18-21; Num 13:28, 33) prob. concern “giants” in the second sense mentioned above. Although neither one of these terms means “giants” and are unquestionably ethnic terms (both are named with lists of ethnic terms Gen 15:19-21, Num 13:28, 29) it is quite certain that they were regarded as races of people of inordinate size (see esp. Num 13:32, 33; Deut 9:2). However, that the Hebrews regarded them as giants in the first sense mentioned above (as is often held) seems highly improbable. The only passage that could suggest such is Numbers 13:33, and it is best understood as an emotional reaction of intimidated men to the power and size of the Canaanite people and fortified cities.

The only passage that may refer to giants in the first sense is Genesis 6:1-4, where the Nephilim (q.v.) are mentioned. Many hold that this passage refers to the stories of giants on earth who are descended from union between gods and humans and that it is used by the author (chs. 1-11) as a measure of the effects of human sin (see, e.g., Von Rad, Genesis, Philadelphia: Westminster [1961], pp. 109-112).