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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 288 min read

Who Were the Nephilim Mentioned in Genesis 6:4?

The Nephilim, a mysterious group mentioned briefly in the Old Testament, have been the subject of great debate among Bible scholars and readers alike. Genesis 6:4 provides the initial reference to these enigmatic figures: "The Nephilim proved to be in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of the true God continued to have relations with the daughters of men and they bore sons to them. They were the mighty ones who were of old, the men of fame." Understanding the identity of the Nephilim and their role in biblical history is important for contextualizing the events leading up to the Flood. To explore this topic, we must delve deeply into the Hebrew language, biblical context, and related Scriptures.



Understanding the Meaning of "Nephilim"


The term "Nephilim" is derived from the Hebrew word nephi·limʹ, which appears three times in the Bible (Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33, twice). It is a plural noun that stems from the verb na·phalʹ, meaning "to fall." The root meaning of this verb is found in passages like 2 Kings 3:19 and 19:7, which use na·phalʹ to describe something falling or being overthrown. Given this background, the term "Nephilim" can be understood to mean "those who cause others to fall" or "fellers." This interpretation implies that the Nephilim were notorious for their violence, tyranny, and perhaps even supernatural strength, making them "mighty ones" or "men of fame" (Genesis 6:4).


The biblical context reveals that these Nephilim were present on the earth during the days before the global Flood and may have contributed significantly to the moral decline and corruption of humanity. This is supported by Genesis 6:5, which states, "Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." The role of the Nephilim in this widespread wickedness is central to understanding why Jehovah decided to destroy humanity with the Flood (Genesis 6:11-13).



Examining the Sons of God and Daughters of Men


In order to understand the identity of the Nephilim, it is crucial to examine the relationship between "the sons of the true God" and "the daughters of men" described in Genesis 6:2. Many Bible commentators have debated whether these "sons of God" were human descendants of Seth (the righteous line) or whether they were angelic beings who abandoned their heavenly realm to engage in relations with human women. The latter view finds strong biblical support.


The phrase "sons of God" is used elsewhere in Scripture to refer to angels, as in Job 1:6 and 38:7, where "sons of God" clearly refers to spirit beings present before Jehovah's throne. Thus, when Genesis 6:2 mentions that "the sons of the true God began to notice the daughters of men," the context suggests these were angelic beings who took on human form. These angels, who had the power to materialize human bodies, engaged in unlawful marriages with human women, an act that intensified the moral corruption on earth.


Uncover the mystery behind the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6. Who were they, and what role did they play in this pivotal biblical passage?


This interpretation is further corroborated by New Testament references, where Peter and Jude describe the disobedient angels who "did not keep their original position" and were punished for their rebellion. In 1 Peter 3:19-20, Peter speaks of "the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days." Jude adds that these angels "forsook their own proper dwelling place" and are now "reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). These passages indicate that certain angels abandoned their heavenly positions and committed serious transgressions, which led to their judgment and confinement.



The Hybrid Offspring of the Sons of God


Genesis 6:4 explains that when the sons of God had relations with human women, their offspring were mighty ones, or "gib·bo·rimʹ" in Hebrew, who became renowned in ancient times. The term "gib·bo·rimʹ" is often translated as "heroes" or "warriors," and these individuals were likely known for their physical prowess and violence. While the Bible does not provide many details about the Nephilim themselves, their hybrid nature, as the offspring of angelic beings and human women, would have set them apart from ordinary men.


Importantly, the Nephilim were not depicted as being in favor with Jehovah. Instead, their actions likely contributed to the increasing wickedness of the earth. These "mighty ones" were not renowned for their righteousness or faithfulness but for their strength, violence, and perhaps their ability to dominate others. This aligns with the understanding that the name "Nephilim" signifies "those who cause others to fall." As tyrants or bullies, the Nephilim embodied the corruption of humanity, helping to fill the earth with violence, which Jehovah could no longer tolerate (Genesis 6:11-12).



The Role of the Nephilim in Ancient Mythologies


While the biblical account of the Nephilim is brief, it seems to have influenced the mythologies of various ancient cultures. After the confusion of languages at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), the descendants of Noah spread across the earth, carrying distorted memories of pre-Flood events. Many ancient myths describe gods and goddesses mating with humans to produce demigods or heroes with extraordinary strength and abilities. Greek mythology, for example, is replete with stories of such hybrids, including Hercules, the offspring of Zeus and a human woman.


Uncover the mystery behind the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6. Who were they, and what role did they play in this pivotal biblical passage?


These myths may be based on the historical reality of the Nephilim, although they were later embellished and altered by various cultures. The Nephilim were not demigods in the biblical sense, but rather unauthorized hybrids whose existence further fueled the degradation of human society. Their fame and exploits would have been passed down through generations, contributing to the mythological traditions of different peoples.



The Nephilim After the Flood


Genesis 6:4 includes the phrase, "and also after that," suggesting that the Nephilim were present not only before the Flood but also afterward. This has led some to question how the Nephilim could have survived the Flood, which wiped out all living creatures on the earth except for Noah and his family (Genesis 7:23). The most reasonable explanation is that after the Flood, additional angels may have materialized human bodies and again produced offspring with human women. This is supported by the report of the ten spies in Numbers 13:33, who claimed to have seen the Nephilim in the land of Canaan: "We saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim; and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."


However, it is important to note that the ten spies who brought back this report were spreading fear and panic among the Israelites, as they exaggerated the size and strength of the inhabitants of Canaan. The mention of the Nephilim in this context may have been an attempt to intimidate the Israelites by invoking the memory of these legendary giants. It is unlikely that the post-Flood Nephilim were identical to the pre-Flood ones, but the term may have been used to describe any unusually large and powerful individuals who lived in the region.



The Fate of the Nephilim and Their Angelic Fathers


The Nephilim, along with the rest of humanity, were destroyed in the Flood, as their wickedness contributed to Jehovah's decision to cleanse the earth of corruption. Noah and his family were the only ones spared because of their righteousness (Genesis 6:9; 7:1). As for the angels who fathered the Nephilim, they were punished by Jehovah and confined to "Tartarus," a term used by Peter to describe their current state of imprisonment (2 Peter 2:4). These angels are no longer able to materialize human bodies or interact with humanity in the same way they did before the Flood. Jude 6 explains that they are "reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day."


This punishment demonstrates Jehovah's intolerance of rebellion, both in the human and spirit realms. The angels who forsook their original positions and violated divine law faced severe consequences, showing that even spirit beings are subject to Jehovah's authority. Their disobedience serves as a warning to all creation that Jehovah’s standards are not to be disregarded without consequence.



Lessons from the Nephilim Account


The brief account of the Nephilim in Genesis 6 provides several important lessons for believers. First, it underscores the seriousness of maintaining proper boundaries between the spiritual and physical realms. The angels who materialized human bodies and engaged in relations with women overstepped their God-given roles, leading to widespread corruption. This account serves as a reminder that rebellion against Jehovah’s established order—whether in the angelic or human realm—leads to judgment and destruction.


Second, the Nephilim narrative highlights the importance of living righteously in a corrupt world. Noah and his family remained faithful to Jehovah despite the overwhelming wickedness surrounding them. Their faithfulness was rewarded when they were preserved through the Flood (Genesis 7:1). This example serves as an encouragement to Christians today to remain steadfast in their obedience to Jehovah, even when surrounded by a world that increasingly rejects divine standards.


Finally, the Nephilim account provides insight into the nature of spiritual warfare. While the Bible does not explicitly connect the Nephilim to the demonic forces at work today, the rebellion of these angels foreshadows the ongoing battle between righteous and wicked spiritual forces. Paul reminds believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). The disobedient angels who fathered the Nephilim were part of this spiritual rebellion, and their actions serve as a reminder that the battle between good and evil continues in both the spiritual and physical realms.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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