Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 2:20-23

"(That also is accounted a land of Rephaim: Rephaim dwelt therein aforetime; but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Jehovah destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead; as he did for the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)" — Deuteronomy 2:20-23 (ASV)

These verses, like (Deuteronomy 2:10–12), are in all likelihood an addition made by a later reviser.

(Deuteronomy 2:20)

Zamzummims - A giant race usually identified with the Zuzims of (Genesis 14:5).

(Deuteronomy 2:23)

The Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah - Read (Gaza, of which Azzah is the Hebrew form).

“Hazerim” is not strictly a proper name but means “villages” or “enclosures,” probably such as are still common in the East.

The Avims are no doubt identical with the Avites of (Joshua 13:3) and were doubtless a scattered remnant of a people conquered by the Caphtorim (Genesis 10:14; see note) and living in their “enclosures” in the neighborhood of Gerar.

The word, which means “ruins,” seems itself expressive of their fallen state.