The Nephilim in Genesis 6 and Their Biblical Significance
Genesis 6:4 introduces the Nephilim, stating, "The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown" [1]. This verse appears within a broader narrative in Genesis 6:1-8 that describes increasing wickedness on earth leading up to the Great Flood. The passage immediately precedes God's decision to destroy humanity due to widespread corruption and violence [1].
The term "Nephilim" itself is a Hebrew word that the Revised Version of the Bible leaves untranslated [2]. Its precise meaning is debated, but several interpretations exist. One common understanding is that it means "violent" or "causing to fall," suggesting they were tyrants who oppressed others [3]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish rationalist commentator, suggests the name comes from the root meaning "to fall," because anyone who saw them would "lose heart" due to their immense stature [7, 9]. Similarly, Ramban (Nachmanides), a Kabbalistic and philosophical Jewish commentator, notes that they were called nephilim because "they fell (naphlu) and caused the downfall (hipilu) of the world," citing Bereshith Rabbah [10]. Another interpretation suggests the word might derive from a root signifying "wonder," thus implying "monsters" or "prodigies" [3]. Tyndale House's academic commentary on Genesis 6:4 also notes that the term "Nephilim" may mean "fallen ones" [8].
The Nephilim are described as being present "in those days, and also after that" [1]. This suggests their existence both before and after the specific event of the "sons of God" cohabiting with the "daughters of men" [1]. The text further identifies the offspring of these unions as "mighty men who were of old, men of renown" [1]. These "mighty men" are referred to in Hebrew as gibborim [2].
The identity of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" is a significant exegetical question. While Genesis 6:4 does not explicitly define them, the context implies that the Nephilim were the offspring of these unions [8]. Some traditions, such as those mentioned by John Gill, suggest that the "sons of God" were the children of Seth, who descended from the mountain to marry the "daughters of Cain" [11]. Other interpretations, particularly in extra-biblical texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, expand on the biblical narrative by suggesting that the "sons of God" were "Watchers" or fallen angels [6].
The Nephilim are also mentioned in Numbers 13:33, where they are described as a Canaanitish tribe of large stature, identified as "the sons of Anak" [3]. Abraham Ibn Ezra clarifies that these Nephilim were "of the Nephilim, who were in the earth in those days" as described in Genesis 6:4 [12]. This connection suggests a lineage or continuation of these large individuals. The Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that the Rephaim, another race of giants, were distinct from the Nephilim, though both were known for their size [5]. The Smith's Bible Dictionary also lists the Rephaim as men of extraordinary size, mentioning their defeat by Chedorlaomer [4].
The biblical significance of the Nephilim in Genesis 6 lies in their association with the increasing corruption and violence that led to the Flood. Their presence and the unions described in Genesis 6:1-4 are presented as part of the reason God determined to "blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land" [1]. The narrative highlights a period of profound moral decay and the emergence of powerful, renowned individuals whose existence contributed to the divine judgment upon the earth.
Sources
- Genesis “The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. -- Genesis 6:4”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Nephilim — (Gen. 6:4; Num. 13:33, R.V.), giants, the Hebrew word left untranslated by the Revisers, the name of one of the Canaanitish tribes. The Revisers have, however, translated the Hebrew gibborim, in Gen. 6:4, "mighty men."”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Giants — (1.) Heb. nephilim, meaning "violent" or "causing to fall" (Gen. 6:4). These were the violent tyrants of those days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monsters" or "prodigies." In Num. 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe, a race of large stature, "the sons of Anak." The Revised Version, in these passages, simply transliterates the original, and reads "Nephilim." (2.) Heb. rephaim, a race of giants (Deut. 3:11) who lived on the east of Jordan, from whom Og was descended. They were ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Giants — men of extraordinary size or height. + They are first spoken of in (Genesis 6:4) under the name Nephilim. We are told in (Genesis 6:1-4) that "there were Nephilim in the earth," and that afterwards the "sons of God" mingling with the beautiful "daughters of mens produced a race of violent and insolent Gibborim (Authorized Version "mighty men"). + The Rephalim, a name which frequently occurs. The earliest mention of them is the record of their defeat by Chedorlaomer and some allied kings at Ashteroth Karnaim. The "valley of Rephaim," (2 Samuel 5:18; 1 Chronicl”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Rephaim — Lofty men; giants, (Gen. 14:5; 2 Sam. 21:16, 18, marg. A.V., Rapha, marg. R.V., Raphah; Deut. 3:13, R.V.; A.V., "giants"). The aborigines of Palestine, afterwards conquered and dispossessed by the Canaanite tribes, are classed under this general title. They were known to the Moabites as Emim, i.e., "fearful", (Deut. 2:11), and to the Ammonites as Zamzummim. Some of them found refuge among the Philistines, and were still existing in the days of David. We know nothing of their origin. They were not necessarily connected with the "giants" (R.V., "Nephilim") of”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Pesharim and Other Notable Texts (2nd-1st century BCE), section 6: though it was one of the last to be opened and published due to its extremely fragile condition. Written in Aramaic, it is a retelling of portions of the book of Genesis, expanding the biblical narratives with additional dialogue, description, and theological interpretation. Key Content The preserved portions cover material from Genesis 5-15, with particular attention to: The story of Lamech and the birth of Noah: Lamech suspects that his wife Bitenosh has conceived through a Watcher (fallen angel) rather than by him. The accou”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 13:33: THE NEPHILIM. I have already explained this term. 48 The Nephilim “were so named because anyone who saw them lost heart ( she-yippol lev ha-ro’eh otam ) at their huge stature).” See I.E. on Gen. 6:4 (Vol. 1, p. 96).”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 6:4: 6:4 giant Nephilites (Hebrew nepilim): The term may mean “fallen ones.” The context implies that they were the offspring of the “sons of God” and would be destroyed in the flood. Numbers 13:31-33 uses the same term to describe other giants who were hostile toward God’s people and would also be destroyed (see also Deut 2:11, which connects the Anakite nepilim with another group called the repa’im).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 6:4: [THE NEPHILIM.] They were so named because anyone who saw them lost heart at their huge stature. 16 From the root nun, feh, lamed , meaning to fall.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 6:4: THE NEPHILIM. Rashi comments: “[They were called nephilim because] they fell ( naphlu ) and caused the downfall ( hipilu ) of the world.” This is found in Bereshith Rabbah. 500 26:7. The masters of language 501 Found in R’dak. say that they [the Nephilim ] were so called because the heart of man fell from fear of them. The same applies to the word ha’eimim . 502 Genesis 14:5. Eimah means terror. The Eimim thus induced terror into the hearts of those who saw them.”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 6:4: There were giants in the earth in those days,.... That is, in the days before the sons of God took the daughters of men for wives, in such a general manner as before declared, or before the declension and apostasy became so universal; even in the times of Jared, as the Arabic writers (n) understand it, who say that these giants were begotten on the daughters of Cain by the children of Seth, who went down from the mountain to them in the days of Jared, see Gen 5:20 the word "Nephilim" comes from a word which signifies to fall; and these might be so called, either becau”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 13:33: OF THE NEPHILIM. Its meaning 49 The meaning of the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who came of the Nephilim. is that they were of the Nephilim, who were in the earth in those days, and also after that when…came in (Gen 6:4). 50 The entire verse reads, The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them . Thus the Nephilim were descended from the “sons of God.” I have explained it 51 The meaning of and also after that . there. 52 And also after that refers to afte”