Deuteronomy 2:20 Meaning and Explanation
“(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ammonite territory, like Moab's, was previously inhabited by giants called the Zamzummims.
The Context of Deuteronomy 2:20
A historical note about the giants who originally inhabited Ammonite territory.
What Does Deuteronomy 2:20 Mean?
Another parenthetical aside (vv. 20-23) continues the theme of ancient peoples and giants. The Zamzummims were a race of giants who inhabited the land now held by the Ammonites. The Ammonites displaced them and adopted their own name for these legendary figures. This historical context reinforces that giants were a real feature of ancient Near Eastern geography and memory.
The pattern continues: Emims in Moab, Horim in Seir, and now Zamzummims in Ammon—all displaced by covenant peoples. The repetition suggests this was a common feature of ancient history: peoples rising and falling as empires and migrations reshaped the map. Israel's coming conquest fits within this broader historical pattern.
Deuteronomy 2:20 in the Original Language
'Zamzummims' (זַמְזֻמִּים, zamzummim) — the etymology is uncertain; possibly related to a root meaning 'to buzz' or 'whisper,' perhaps signifying legendary or mysterious beings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 2:20
What does Deuteronomy 2:20 mean?
Ammonite territory, like Moab's, was previously inhabited by giants called the Zamzummims.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 2:20?
A historical note about the giants who originally inhabited Ammonite territory.