Anakim / giants

The Hebrew that is either transliterated as “Anakim” or translated as “giants” in English is translated in Manya as “big, amazing people.” (Source: Don Slager)

complete verse (Deuteronomy 2:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 2:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Emites were also called Rephaites like also the Anakites were called. But the people of Moab called them Emites.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Like the Anakites, they are also called Rephaites. But the Moabites called them Emites.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They are also called Refaimnon, like the descendants of Anak, but the Moabnon call them Emhanon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They and the descendants of Anak are also called the Repha giants, but the people of Moab call them Emim.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 2:10 - 2:11

Verses 10-12 are an explanatory note that is not part of the narrative itself. For this reason Revised Standard Version has placed them between parentheses, while Good News Translation makes them a separate paragraph, also between parentheses. Contemporary English Version makes them a separate section with the heading “Tribes that Lived near Canaan.” This is also possible.

The Emim … a people great and many: it is better to follow Good News Translation, identifying these people as “A mighty race of giants” or “A powerful tribe [or, clan] of giants.” The various legendary giants, the original inhabitants of the land, went by several names. A translation must have a consistent system of transliterating proper names, taking care to avoid names that are suggestive or already have a distinct meaning in the language. Emim may also be expressed as “people of Emim.” The origin of the name Emim is unknown; perhaps it is related to the Hebrew noun “terror,” but this cannot be proved. The name Rephaim is used to mean “giants”; but its origin is uncertain. It must be transliterated like any other personal name. The Anakim or “people descended from Anak” have already been mentioned (1.28). Giants may be expressed as “very tall people.” Mighty means “powerful” or “strong.”

Contemporary English Version has a helpful model for these two verses:

• Before the LORD gave the Moabites their land, a large and powerful tribe lived there. They were the Emim, and they were as tall as the Anakim. The Moabites called them Emim, though others sometimes used the name Rephaim for both the Anakim and the Emim.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .