What would you do if you were standing on the edge of a vast, promised land, but standing in your way was something far greater than you ever imagined?
What if the thing that stood between you and God’s promise wasn’t a challenge you could fight with strength or wisdom, but something that felt utterly insurmountable?
In the Bible, giants weren’t just towering figures of physical power. They were symbols of fear, obstacles that seemed unbeatable, and representations of everything that tried to stop God’s people from entering the land He promised them.
From Goliath to the Nephilim, these giants weren’t just physical, they were spiritual tests, meant to show not how strong we are, but how much faith we have when facing the impossible.
As you read through their stories, consider this: What giants are you facing in your life today? And, more importantly, how can the biblical stories of these giants teach you to face your own with faith instead of fear?
In this post, we’ll uncover the stories of 10 powerful giants in the Bible, exploring not just who they were and where they appeared, but why they still matter today. These giants weren’t just obstacles in the Israelites’ path; they represent the spiritual battles we all must fight and how we can trust in God to help us overcome them.
What is a “Giant” in the Bible? Understanding the Terms
When you hear the word “giant,” what comes to mind? A towering figure? A powerful warrior? A monster standing between you and your dreams? In the Bible, giants aren’t just behemoth figures, they represent spiritual battles and obstacles that threaten to overwhelm us.
But here’s the question: Are the giants in the Bible really just about size and strength? Or are they symbols of the fears and challenges that stand in the way of God’s promises?
In the Bible, giants aren’t simply people with great height or physical power, they’re symbols of something far deeper. They are the doubts, the insecurities, the temptations, and the spiritual forces that try to intimidate, divide, and conquer.
When the Israelites faced giants, they weren’t just fighting for their lives, they were fighting to believe in God’s ability to overcome the impossible. The giants they faced were not just external enemies, but representations of internal struggles.
Let’s consider how the Bible defines these giants. It’s not just their size that matters; it’s the symbolism of what they represent. When we look at the giants, we uncover spiritual truths that still apply to our lives today.
Nephilim: The Giants of Corruption
In the early chapters of Genesis, we read about the Nephilim, a group of beings that were the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” These figures are often referred to as “giants,” but there’s more to their story than just their size.
The word Nephilim literally means “fallen ones,” and they symbolize a time when the world was spiraling into sin and corruption. They weren’t just large, they were fallen. They represented humanity’s rebellion against God.
What does this mean for us today? The Nephilim teach us that the giants we face are often born from our own disobedience. Our sinful nature, our unresolved fears, and our brokenness create giants in our hearts and minds that feel impossible to defeat. Just like the Nephilim, these giants aren’t simply external—they represent the spiritual fallout of the choices we make.
Rephaim: Giants of the Past, Forces of Evil
The term Rephaim is another word often translated as “giants.” But it’s more complex than that. The Rephaim weren’t just a particular group of giants; they were a symbol of formidable, ancient strength—almost a representation of spiritual forces that opposed God’s plan for Israel.
In Deuteronomy 2, Israel is reminded of the victories they had over the Rephaim in the land of Moab. These giants, who once struck fear into the hearts of nations, were defeated by God’s strength. The significance of the Rephaim was not just in their physical size but in what they represented: cosmic opposition to God’s kingdom. When Israel faced the Rephaim, they weren’t just facing powerful people—they were facing spiritual forces, forces that seek to destroy God’s work.
Today, we face our own Rephaims—the strongholds in our lives, the addictions, the temptations, and the spiritual battles that seem too great to conquer. These giants are rooted in generational sin and spiritual opposition. But just as Israel had to trust in God’s power to defeat the Rephaim, we too can trust that God’s power can overcome the forces that feel like they’ve held us captive for far too long.
Anakim: The Giants of Fear and Insecurity
And then there are the Anakim, the giants of Canaan, who made the Israelites feel like “grasshoppers” in comparison. These giants weren’t just tall—they were the embodiment of fear. When the Israelite spies returned from scouting the land, they saw the Anakim and said, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (Numbers 13:33).
Fear and insecurity made these giants seem bigger than they were. The Israelites saw the Anakim as insurmountable because they were looking through the lens of doubt instead of faith. How often do we face giants in our lives—addictions, worries, obstacles that seem much bigger than they really are, simply because we view them through the lens of fear and insecurity?
The 10 Giants: Who They Were and Why They Matter
When we think of giants, it’s easy to imagine them as figures from an ancient, faraway time. But in the Bible, giants are much more than just intimidating warriors, they are pivotal figures who shape the story of God’s people.
From the Nephilim’s pre-flood corruption to Goliath’s taunts, each giant serves as a spiritual marker on Israel’s journey, pointing to a deeper message for us today.
Let’s take a closer look at the 10 giants in the Bible and understand why their stories still matter for Christians in the modern world.
1. The Nephilim: Fallen Beings of Corruption (Genesis 6:1-4; Numbers 13:33)
The Nephilim are the first giants introduced in the Bible, and their very mention raises questions. Are they merely giants of size, or do they symbolize the fall of humanity? In Genesis 6, they are linked with a time of profound wickedness before the flood, acting as a warning of moral decay and divine judgment.
But their influence didn’t end with the flood. In Numbers 13, the Israelite spies compare the giants in Canaan to the Nephilim, not just to their height, but to their power to instill fear.
The Nephilim teach us that giants in our lives often start as small seeds of sin, doubts, temptations, and habits that grow into overwhelming forces, unless we confront them in faith.
2. The Rephaim: Ancient Forces of Evil (Deuteronomy 2:10-11; Joshua 12)
The Rephaim were an ancient, mighty people who lived in the lands that Israel would one day conquer. Mighty not just in size but in spiritual significance, the Rephaim symbolized the deep-rooted evils that Israel had to overcome to enter the Promised Land. To defeat them wasn’t just about physical strength; it was a matter of trusting in God’s deliverance over the powers of darkness.
As Israel overcame the Rephaim, they weren’t just claiming land—they were claiming victory over evil. Today, the Rephaim represent the giants of fear that threaten to overwhelm us—whether it’s the temptation to sin or the spiritual warfare we face. But just like Israel, we can find victory over these giants by depending on God’s strength, not our own.
3. The Anakim: Giants of Fear and Insecurity (Numbers 13:28, 33; Deuteronomy 9:2)
The Anakim were Canaanite giants who terrified the Israelite spies, making them feel small and insignificant. When they reported back, they described themselves as “grasshoppers” in comparison. But what if the Anakim weren’t just physically imposing figures—they were embodiments of fear and insecurity?
For the Israelites, these giants weren’t just an obstacle in the land of Canaan—they represented the spiritual fears and doubts that hold us back from embracing God’s promises. How often do we let fear of the unknown, the challenges, and the impossibilities before us make us feel like “grasshoppers” in our own eyes? The Anakim teach us that the greatest giants in our lives often appear larger because we view them through the lens of fear.
4. The Emim: Giants of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:10-11)
The Emim were another giant group living in the land of Moab. Their name means “terror,” and they were described as tall and numerous, instilling fear in anyone who encountered them.
The Emim represent the fear of the unknown—the giants we face when we’re about to step into unfamiliar territory. When God told Israel not to take Moab’s land, it was a reminder that God rules over all nations, and some giants are meant to be left behind.
In our lives, the Emim represent the unknown fears we face when we move into new seasons—whether it’s a new job, a change in relationships, or an unfamiliar challenge. These giants can feel overwhelming, but just as God guided Israel, He will guide us through the unknown if we trust in His sovereign power.
5. Og, King of Bashan: The Last of the Rephaim (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11)
Og, the king of Bashan, was the last of the Rephaim, a remnant of the ancient giants. Known for his massive bed—measuring 9 by 4 cubits—Og was a symbol of pride and earthly power. But he was also a symbol of God’s victory over pride and oppression. His defeat was a significant milestone for Israel, securing territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.
Today, Og represents the giants of pride and oppression—the forces that exalt themselves above God and try to hold us back from freedom. Just as Israel defeated Og and his mighty forces, we too can overcome the giants of pride and oppression with God’s help. We are not bound to the giants of our past—God offers us freedom.
6. Goliath of Gath: The Ultimate Battle of Faith vs. Fear (1 Samuel 17)
Perhaps the most famous giant of all, Goliath needs little introduction. A figure of immense size and strength, he stood as the ultimate challenge to Israel. His taunts echoed for days, and his size seemed unbeatable. But then came David, a young shepherd with nothing but faith in God. In the battle between David and Goliath, it wasn’t just about a stone and a sling—it was a battle between faith and fear.
Goliath represents the giants in our lives that seem unbeatable, the oppositions that make us feel small and powerless. But David’s victory reminds us that even the strongest giants fall before the power of God’s faithfulness. No matter how big the challenge, with faith in God, we can face our giants and win.
7. Ishbi-Benob: A Reminder of Continued Battles (2 Samuel 21:15-17)
After the victory over Goliath, you might think the battle would be over. But the story of Ishbi-Benob, another giant from Gath, reminds us that spiritual battles don’t end with one victory. Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of the Rapha, nearly killed David during another battle with the Philistines.
This giant wasn’t just a random opponent, he was part of a larger enemy that persisted even after David’s victory. Ishbi-Benob’s near-fatal attack on David serves as a spiritual warning: Even after we experience victory, there will always be new battles to fight.
These ongoing giants represent the fears and temptations that continue to threaten us, no matter how far we’ve come. Ishbi-Benob reminds us that the Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint. We need endurance and constant reliance on God to face whatever giants arise.
8. Saph/Sippai: More Giants in the Shadow of Goliath (2 Samuel 21:18; 1 Chronicles 20:4)
Saph, or Sippai, is another giant who appeared after the death of Goliath, proving that even in the aftermath of victory, the battle was not yet over. He was another descendant of Rapha, slain by Sibbecai the Hushathite, one of David’s warriors.
The story of Saph shows us that even in the shadow of our greatest fears, new challenges will arise. Victory over one giant doesn’t guarantee that there won’t be more battles ahead. Like the Anakim, these giants represent the ongoing spiritual warfare that every believer must face. Their defeat by someone other than David—Sibbecai—reminds us that victory doesn’t always come from the expected sources, and often, God will raise up unexpected servants and tools to help us overcome our giants.
9. Lahmi: Goliath’s Brother (1 Chronicles 20:5; 2 Samuel 21:19)
While Goliath’s defeat seemed to signal the end of the Philistine threat, Lahmi, Goliath’s brother, continued the legacy of fear and military rivalry. Lahmi, another giant from Gath, was also slain by one of David’s men, further solidifying the idea that the giants’ influence wasn’t easily erased by a single victory.
Lahmi’s story emphasizes the spiritual consequences of unresolved conflict. Even after the initial giant falls, the root of opposition, whether it’s fear, pride, or evil often continues in some form. Lahmi shows us that God’s power can break the cycle of spiritual oppression, but we must remain vigilant, knowing that the battle against spiritual giants is ongoing.
10. The Six-Fingered Man of Gath: The Final Battle (2 Samuel 21:20-21; 1 Chronicles 20:6-7)
The six-fingered man of Gath might seem like an unusual character to end with, but his story carries deep spiritual symbolism. This giant, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, is described as a descendant of the Rephaim, and he was slain by Jonathan, son of Shimea.
What makes this giant different is the detail of his physical abnormality, the six fingers and toes. In ancient symbolism, six is a number often associated with imperfection and human weakness, especially when it’s one short of seven, the number of completion in God’s design.
This giant’s extra fingers and toes symbolized the incomplete, fallen nature of humanity that rebels against God. His defeat by Jonathan, one of David’s warriors, symbolizes the rising generation of faith that confronts the giants of the past, finishing the battles that started long before them.
The six-fingered giant represents the battle between the spiritual generations, where each new generation of believers must continue the fight against the spiritual giants of their time. Jonathan’s victory shows that every believer has a role to play in overcoming the giants, even if it means finishing the work others started.
Why These Giants Matter Today
As we reflect on these giants, their stories don’t just belong to ancient times, they echo through our own struggles. Just as the Israelites had to confront literal giants in their journey, so too do we face spiritual giants today. These giants might not stand tall in front of us physically, but they come in the form of addictions, fears, insecurities, and spiritual battles.
The giants we read about in the Bible weren’t just stories of ancient warriors—they were tests of faith. And in the same way, the giants we face in our lives are tests of trust and obedience to God. With each giant, whether it’s Goliath, the Rephaim, or the six-fingered man, the lesson is the same: no matter how impossible the challenge, God is bigger.
So, as you face your own giants today, remember the victories of the past. Just as God helped David and Israel defeat the giants in their land, He will strengthen and equip you to defeat the giants in your own life.
Conclusion: Facing Your Own Giants
As we conclude, take a moment to reflect: What giants are standing before you today? What fears, insecurities, and obstacles are towering over you, making you feel small and insignificant? Whether you face giants of doubt, fear, addiction, or temptation, remember the powerful lesson of the giants in the Bible. they may seem unbeatable, but they are no match for God’s strength.
Just as Israel faced and defeated their giants, we too can claim victory in our lives through faith in God. Whether it’s through David’s courage, Caleb’s faith, or the quiet victories of those like Sibbecai and Jonathan, God is calling us to stand firm against the giants in our own lives.
So, what are you waiting for? The giants may seem tall, but our God is taller, stronger, and always with us.