Rephaim 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 (Genesis 14:5; Genesis 15:20; Deuteronomy 1:2-11,19). They were of large stature (comparable in size to the Anakim; See Anak), and were feared by other peoples of the region (Deuteronomy 1:2-11,20; Joshua 12:4). There was a valley west of Jerusalem known as the Valley of Rephaim (Joshua 15:8; 2 Samuel 5:18).