Rephaite

The Rephaim or Refaim are a people of the Bible. According to them, the Refaim Valley was named.

Biblical tradition

The Rephaim are in the Old Testament in a number of ancient Canaanite peoples mentioned (Gen 14.5 EU; 15,20 EU). Jos 12.4 EU; 13:12 EU; 17.15 EU is the territory of Og king of Bashan in the area of today's Golan Heights, which take the Israelites possession of the "rest of the Refaiter " called. 2 Sam 21.15-22 and EU 1 Chr 20.4-8 EU are referred to several great warriors and enemies of Israel in David's time as "sons of Rafa ." Even Goliath of Gath is called " the Rafa born " (2 Sam 21.19 to 22 EU) called, but he will not be defeated in this version of the story of David.

The Refaiter are thus among a biblical type of fabled enemies from the early days of Israel, the physically superior part and are described as giants. This type, the sons of Anak ( Anakim ), and the Emim. These stories of struggle and victory against the giants of Canaan peoples have a theological background: By the people of Israel leave unconditionally to the leadership of the Lord, it is possible for him to take possession of the Promised Land.

Contributions of Archaeology

According to statistical studies of the Israeli Antiquities Authority in male skeletons from the Bronze and Iron Age (3000 - 500 BC), the average man was in biblical times, about 1.64 m tall. Again and again, there are also finds significantly larger skeletons ( 1.85 to 2.00 m), including those from Gezer. It is considered quite likely that such above-average tall men served as single and pioneer in the armies. Even Egyptian texts from the Ramesside period (around 1200 BC) support this thesis. However, the existence of a whole nation of giants can not be inferred or even proved from these finds.