Prior to Israel’s conquest of Canaan, the Rephaim were scattered over a wide area on both sides of the Jordan. They were one of many groups who were to be destroyed when Israel took possession of Canaan (Gen 14:5; 15:20; Deut 2:9-11,19-21). They were of large stature (comparable in size to the Anakim; see ANAK), and were feared by other peoples of the region (Deut 2:10-11,20-21; Josh 12:4). There was a valley west of Jerusalem known as the Valley of Rephaim (Josh 15:8; 2 Sam 5:18).