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 2:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 2:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “(Long ago the people who were called Emites lived in that land. Those people were many and fierce like the people of Anak.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “(In former times the Emites lived there who, like the tall Anakites, were strong and numerous.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(In-time-past numerous and strong people who are called Emanhon lived there in Ar. They are also tall men like the descendants of Anak.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “A large group of giants called Emim formerly lived there. They were strong and numerous, and as tall as the giants who were descendants of Anak.” (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 .