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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Deuteronomy 2  › Deuteronomy 2:21

Deuteronomy 2:21

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Deuteronomy 2:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

They were a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites. But the LORD destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place,

King James Version KJV

A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

American Standard Version ASV

a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Jehovah destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead;

Bible in Basic English BBE

They were a great people, tall as the Anakim, and equal to them in number; but the Lord sent destruction on them and the children of Ammon took their place, living in their land;

Free Bible Version FBV

They were a strong and numerous people, as tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them when the Ammonites invaded and drove them out and settled there,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

A people that was great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims: but the Lord destroyed them before them, and they succeeded them in their inheritance, and dwelt in their stead:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

a people great, and numerous, and tall, as the Anakim, and Jehovah destroyeth them before them, and they dispossess them, and dwell in their stead,

World English Bible WEB

a great people, many, and tall, as the Anakim; but the LORD destroyed them from before Israel, and they succeeded them, and lived in their place,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

A people great, and many, and tall as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

A people great and many, and of tall stature, like the Enacims whom the Lord destroyed before their face: and he made them to dwell in their stead,

Translation for Translators T4T

They were a large and powerful group, who were as tall as the descendants of Anak. But Yahweh got rid of them, and the Ammon people-group expelled them and took their land away from them and started to live there.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 2:21

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 2:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB עַ֣ם גָּד֥וֹל וְ/רַ֛ב וָ/רָ֖ם כָּ/עֲנָקִ֑ים וַ/יַּשְׁמִידֵ֤/ם יְהוָה֙ מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם וַ/יִּירָשֻׁ֖/ם וַ/יֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּֽ/ם
עַ֣ם ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms
גָּד֥וֹל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Adj
וְ/רַ֛ב rab H7227 many Conj | Adj
וָ/רָ֖ם rûwm H7311 to exalt Conj | V-Qal
כָּ/עֲנָקִ֑ים ʻĂnâqîy H6062 Anakite Prep | N-mp
וַ/יַּשְׁמִידֵ֤/ם shâmad H8045 to destroy Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַ/יִּירָשֻׁ֖/ם yârash H3423 to possess Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
וַ/יֵּשְׁב֥וּ yâshab H3427 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
תַחְתָּֽ/ם tachath H8478 underneath Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 2:21

עַ֣ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
גָּד֥וֹל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וְ/רַ֛ב rab H7227 "many" Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
וָ/רָ֖ם rûwm H7311 "to exalt" Conj | V-Qal
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
כָּ/עֲנָקִ֑ים ʻĂnâqîy H6062 "Anakite" Prep | N-mp
An Anakite or descendant of Anak, referring to a tribe of giant people in southern Canaan, as seen in Deuteronomy 1 and 2. This word describes the family or tribe of Anak.
Definition: Someone descended from Anak who was a man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.13.22; father of: Ahiman (H0289), Sheshai (H8344) and Talmai (H8526); also called Anakim at Deu.1.28; 2.10,11,21; 9.2; 1x,22; 14.12,15; Group of a.naq (עֲנָק "Anak" H6061) § Anakims = "long-necked" a tribe of giants, descendants of Anak, which dwelled in southern Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Anakim. See also: Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:2; Joshua 14:15.
וַ/יַּשְׁמִידֵ֤/ם shâmad H8045 "to destroy" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/יִּירָשֻׁ֖/ם yârash H3423 "to possess" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.
וַ/יֵּשְׁב֥וּ yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
תַחְתָּֽ/ם tachath H8478 "underneath" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 2:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 27:7–8 All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him. As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation by sword and famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I have destroyed it by his hand.
2 Deuteronomy 1:28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”
3 Deuteronomy 2:22 just as He had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They drove them out and have lived in their place to this day.
4 Judges 11:24 Do you not possess whatever your god Chemosh grants you? So also, we possess whatever the LORD our God has granted us.
5 Habakkuk 1:10–11 They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it. Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”
6 Deuteronomy 2:10–11 (The Emites used to live there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emites.
7 Deuteronomy 3:11 (For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)

Deuteronomy 2:21 Summary

[Deuteronomy 2:21 tells us about a group of people called the Zamzummites, who were tall and powerful, just like the Anakites. However, the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, who then took their place (as also seen in Deuteronomy 9:2). This shows us that God is in control of everything and that He has the power to give and take away, as stated in Jeremiah 27:5. We can trust in His sovereignty and plan for our lives, just as the Israelites did when they followed God's commands in Exodus 19:5-6.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the Anakites and why are they mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:21?

The Anakites were a group of tall and powerful people mentioned in the Bible, known for their large stature, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:21 and also in Deuteronomy 9:2, where they are described as being a formidable obstacle for the Israelites to overcome.

Why did the LORD destroy the Zamzummites before the Ammonites?

The Bible does not provide a direct answer to this question, but it can be inferred that the LORD's actions were part of His sovereign plan, much like His dealings with other nations, such as the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 19:5-6, where He chose them to be His special people.

What can we learn from the fact that the Ammonites drove out the Zamzummites and settled in their place?

This event illustrates the concept of God's sovereignty over nations and their territories, as stated in Jeremiah 27:5, where He gives and takes away kingdoms as He sees fit.

How does Deuteronomy 2:21 relate to the rest of the chapter?

Deuteronomy 2:21 is part of a larger narrative where Moses is recounting the history of the Israelites and the surrounding nations, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:1-25, and serves as a reminder of God's power and control over the world, as stated in Psalm 135:6.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse reveal about God's character and His dealings with different nations?
  2. How does the destruction of the Zamzummites before the Ammonites relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
  3. What can we learn from the fact that the Ammonites were able to drive out the Zamzummites and settle in their place, and how does this apply to our own lives?
  4. In what ways can we see God's power and control over the world, as illustrated in Deuteronomy 2:21, in our own lives and in the world around us?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 2:21

A people great and many, and tall as the Anakims,.... As the Emims were, Deuteronomy 2:10 but the Lord destroyed them before them; destroyed the Zamzummims before the children of Amman; or otherwise

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 2:21

A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: But the Lord destroyed them.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:21

The Lord therefore will certainly do as much for his own people.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:21

(21) The Lord destroyed them before them.—It is noticeable that the conquest of Canaan is here brought into the domain of common history, by comparison with the conquests of gigantic races accomplished by Edom, Moab, and Ammon. The value of this analogy to Moses and Israel is plain. If the children of Lot, Ishmael, and Esau—who were but Gentiles, although they were Abraham’s seed—were able to dispossess these gigantic races, how much more would Israel be able to dispossess the Canaanites under the personal guidance of Jehovah?

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 2:21

16–25. Approach to the ‘Ammonites and Amorites The adult generation having died out (Deuteronomy 2:16), Jehovah charged Moses that, being about to pass the border or cross the territory of Mo’ab (Deuteronomy 2:17 f.) and to approach ‘Ammôn, Israel (Sg. address) must not fight the latter, for Jehovah gave that land to the sons of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). Follows an archaeological note on the predecessors of ‘Ammôn (Deuteronomy 2:20-23); and then the command, in the Pl. address, to cross the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:24 a); then, in the Sg., an assurance that Sîḥ ?ôn should be given into Israel’s hands, they must fight him (Deuteronomy 2:24 b); for the dread of Israel would Jehovah put on all peoples at the mere report of Israel’s approach (Deuteronomy 2:25). This section is perplexing, because of the apparently proleptic mention of ‘Ammôn, the use of the Pl. address only in Deuteronomy 2:24 a, and the discrepancy between Deuteronomy 2:24 b, Deuteronomy 2:25 and the next section, especially Deuteronomy 2:27-30. On these grounds, combined with the fact that there are no parallels in JE, on which document the rest of this discourse is based, there is a strong case for the opinion that this section is for the most part from another hand than the rest of the discourse. Steuern. indeed takes only Deuteronomy 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 2:24 a as original. For details see notes.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 2:21

SermonDescription
Walter Wilson The Letter O by Walter Wilson In this sermon, the speaker discusses the different types of belief in relation to faith in God. The first type is the belief of faith, which brings us closer to God. The second ty
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