King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:2 in the King James Version says “A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!”

Deuteronomy 9:2 · KJV

Context

1

Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

2

A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!

3

Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

4

Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Anakim were legendary giants, creating fear throughout Israel (Numbers 13:33). The rhetorical question 'Who can stand before the children of Anak?' expresses human impossibility. This verse heightens the contrast with verse 3's answer: God goes before as consuming fire. Human obstacles that appear insurmountable are trivial to God. The emphasis on the Anakim's size and reputation ('whom thou knowest... heard say') shows Israel's fear was based on credible information, not imagination. Yet faith calculates based on God's power, not enemy strength. Caleb later claimed Hebron (Anakim territory) in faith (Joshua 14:12), demonstrating that God's power overcomes what seems unconquerable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Anakim inhabited Hebron and surrounding hill country (Numbers 13:22, 28, 33). Their height and strength were proverbial—the spies' report terrified Israel ('we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,' Numbers 13:33). Archaeological evidence shows some Philistine/Sea Peoples warriors were exceptionally tall (Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:4). Whether the Anakim were genetically distinct or simply a warrior caste of large men, they represented formidable military opposition. Joshua later destroyed the Anakim from the hill country (Joshua 11:21-22), though remnants remained in Philistine cities.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'giants' (fears, obstacles, entrenched sins) loom large in your perspective that need to be viewed through the lens of God's power?
  2. How does focusing on enemy strength rather than God's sufficiency paralyze your faith and obedience?
  3. What past victories over 'impossible' obstacles should encourage you to trust God with current challenges?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
עַֽם1 of 15

“A people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

גָּד֥וֹל2 of 15

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וָרָ֖ם3 of 15

“and tall”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

בְּנֵ֥י4 of 15

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֲנָקִ֑ים5 of 15

“of the Anakims”

H6062

an anakite or descendant of anak

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתָּ֤ה7 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙8 of 15

“whom thou knowest”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְאַתָּ֣ה9 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ10 of 15

“and of whom thou hast heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מִ֣י11 of 15
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יִתְיַצֵּ֔ב12 of 15

“say Who can stand”

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

לִפְנֵ֖י13 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בְּנֵ֥י14 of 15

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֲנָֽק׃15 of 15

“of Anak”

H6061

anak, a canaanite

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 9:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 9:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 13:22Exodus 9:11Daniel 8:4Job 11:10Deuteronomy 2:11-12Numbers 13:28

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