The Nephilim
The Giants of OldThe mighty offspring of the union between the 'sons of God' (fallen angels) and human women, giants of legendary strength and renown who lived before and after the Flood
The Nephilim were the hybrid offspring of the Watchers (fallen angels) and human women, described as 'mighty men of old, men of renown' (gibborim). Their existence represented the ultimate corruption of God's created order - the mingling of angelic and human nature. Genesis indicates they were on earth 'in those days and also afterward,' suggesting similar beings appeared post-Flood. When Israel's spies scouted Canaan, they reported seeing descendants of the Nephilim (Anakim), making themselves feel like 'grasshoppers' by comparison. Various giant clans - Anakim, Rephaim, Emim, Zamzummim - may represent post-Flood Nephilim lineages. Their destruction in the Flood and the command to destroy Canaanite giants (Og of Bashan, Goliath) indicate God's judgment on this corruption. The Nephilim represent the consequences of violating divine boundaries and serve as evidence of supernatural evil's physical manifestation in human history.
Original Name
נְפִילִים (Nephilim)
Meaning
Fallen Ones, Giants, or Those Who Cause Others to Fall
Etymology
The word 'Nephilim' likely derives from the Hebrew root 'naphal' (נָפַל) meaning 'to fall.' This could mean 'fallen ones' (referring to their fallen angelic parentage), 'those who fall upon' (violent attackers), or 'those who cause others to fall' (tyrants). The Septuagint translates Nephilim as 'gigantes' (giants), emphasizing their physical stature.
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew 'Nephilim' is notoriously difficult to translate with certainty. The root 'naphal' (to fall) yields several interpretations: (1) 'fallen ones' - from their fallen angelic origin or their fall into sin; (2) 'those who fall upon' - violent warriors/attackers; (3) 'those who cause to fall' - tyrants who overthrow others. The term 'gibborim' (mighty men) in Genesis 6:4 is the plural of 'gibbor' - a word used for warriors, heroes, and powerful men (also applied to Nimrod). The phrase 'men of renown' (anshei hashem - literally 'men of the name') suggests they were famous, perhaps infamous. The Septuagint's 'gigantes' connects to Greek mythology's giants who warred against the gods - similar themes of divine-human boundary violation. Post-Flood giant clans share possible linguistic connections: Anakim ('long-necked ones'), Rephaim ('shades' or 'dead ones' - also refers to spirits of the dead), Emim ('terrifying ones'), Zamzummim ('plotters/schemers'). The existence of giants post-Flood (Numbers 13:33) remains debated - some suggest another angelic incursion, others that the spies exaggerated, others that giant genes survived through Noah's family.
Translation Notes
- •Nephilim from 'naphal' (to fall) - meaning debated
- •LXX translates as 'gigantes' (giants)
- •'Gibborim' = mighty men, heroes, warriors
- •'Anshei hashem' = men of the name/renown - famous or infamous
- •Related clans: Anakim, Rephaim, Emim, Zamzummim
Related Terms
Born from union of sons of God and human women
Genesis 6:4Became mighty men and men of renown
Genesis 6:4Their violence filled the earth
Genesis 6:11-13Destroyed in the Flood (original generation)
Genesis 7:21-23Descendants reported in Canaan by spies
Numbers 13:33Anakim descended from Nephilim in Canaan
Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:10-11Og of Bashan - last of Rephaim - defeated
Deuteronomy 3:11Goliath of Gath - giant warrior - killed by David
1 Samuel 17Genesis 6:4
"The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown."
Numbers 13:33
"We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
Deuteronomy 2:11
"Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites."
Deuteronomy 3:11
"Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide."
1 Samuel 17:4
"A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span."
Born
Pre-Flood era (and post-Flood descendants)
Died
Destroyed in the Flood (original generation)
Lifespan
Unknown (lived before the Flood)
Father
The Watchers (fallen angels)
Mother
Human women
Spouse
Unknown
Children