The Nephilim were the outcome of the sons of god mingling with the daughters of Adam. They are known as the great biblical giants, “the fallen ones,” the Rephaim, “the dead ones.” These definitions are all used for one group of beings found within the Old Testament. So, who are the Nephilim? Where do the “heroes of old, the men of renown” come from?
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. (Genesis 6:4)
"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.” (Numbers 13:33)
Genesis 6:1-4 informs us that the Nephilim, which means “fallen ones” when translated into English, were the offspring of angelic beings (lit. sons of god) and human women (lit. daughters of Adam). They are known as great warriors and biblical giants (reference Ezekiel 32:27 and Numbers 13:33).
The Nephilim are "mighty men" described in the Old Testament as incredibly large and physically strong. The word "Nephilim" is translated as giants in some versions of the Hebrew Bible but left untranslated in others.
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
This word, translated "giants" in the King James Version, but retained in the Revised Version (British and American), is found in two passages of the Old Testament--one in Genesis 6:4, relating to the antediluvians; the other in Numbers 13:33, relating to the sons of Anak in Canaan. In the former place the Nephilim are not necessarily to be identified with the children said to be borne "the daughters of men" to "the sons of God" (Genesis 6:2-4); indeed, they seem to be distinguished from the latter as upon the earth before this unholy commingling took place. But it is not easy to be certain as to the interpretation of this strange passage. In the second case they clearly represent men of gigantic stature, in comparison with whom the Israelites felt as if they were "grasshopers." This agrees with Genesis 6:4, "the mighty men that were of old, the men of renow." Septuagint, therefore, was warranted in translating by gigantes.
There is almost always variance when discussing the Nephilim details in Christian circles today. Is there a correct answer to who precisely the Nephilim were? Scholars and theologians find this subject fascinating.
The word Nephilim is found in the Bible two times. The first is in Genesis 6:1-6 and then again in Numbers 13:33. Scholars and commentators translate the word Nephilim as giants or fallen ones. Even among the most brilliant, there is debate on translating this term.
One reason Nephilim is often translated as "fallen ones" is the relation to the Hebrew word “naphal” (to fall). One school of thought associates these beings with fallen angels or their offspring.
Genesis 6:1-6 never states that the Nephilim were giants, but it does say they were "mighty men who were of old, the men of renown." The verse that clues us into them being giants is Numbers 13:33, which states, "and there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” Here, Scripture indicates they were possibly giants, men much larger and stronger than usual.
No one really knows exactly who or what the Nephilim were; however, Scripture gives us clues about who the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" were (Genesis 6:1-4).
For centuries, scholars from Judaism and Christianity have presented different views on who the Nephilim were.
Theory 1: The first view is that fallen angels had relations with the "daughters of men," which resulted in a part human, part supernatural being – the Nephilim.
Theory 2: The second position held by some is that demons or fallen angels possessed men and then had relations with the "daughters of men," resulting in the Nephilim.
Theory 3: A third position, called the Sethite View, is held by some scholars. The Sethite View defines the "sons of God" as the righteous line of Seth.
Theory 4: Lastly, a view held by the minority is the "sons of God" were simply fallen men.
The view that has increased in favor today is that the Nephilim were offspring of fallen angels and human women has increased in favor today is the position that the "sons of God" were fallen angels who had relations with the "daughters of men" (Genesis 6:1-6), and as a result, the Nephilim were born. This is the most popular view in the Church today.
Support for the theory. A verse that supporters of this position turn to is Job 1:6: "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them."
In connection to this verse, Job 38:7 also tells us, "when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
These verses use the same term found in Genesis 6. Theologians historically have interpreted the "sons of God" as "angels," which fit right into the context of these verses. One main Scripture passage used to defend this view is Jude 1:6-7:
"And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
The Jude 1:6-7 passage indicates some (fallen) angels went after strange flesh.
Opposition to the theory. One pushback for this position is that angelic beings don't have the DNA to combine with humans. They are spiritual beings; therefore, it's not possible that they can produce offspring. Again, this assumes that angels can't have the same DNA as humans. Some would argue that it’s possible because we see two angels take the form of a human in Genesis 19:1-13. Who is to say they didn’t carry the full reproductive capabilities?
The Sethite View that the Nephilim were from the lineage of Seth is growing rapidly within the Church and is possibly the most common view today among scholars.
Here, the "sons of God" are defined as the righteous line of Seth (Genesis 5) that disobeyed God and married women from the line of Cain. (Note: Some believe these women were not exclusive to Cain's family line). The women who married the line of Seth followed other gods and rejected full allegiance to God. The offspring, as a result, "fell away" and turned to the system of the world.
According to Jewish historical writings and literature as early as the first century, Jewish scholars have favored this view. St. Augustine and John Calvin are famous scholars and theologians who have held this position. Here, we assume that from Seth to Noah (Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech), all the past members obeyed God to preserve a righteous lineage.
When we discuss this third view that fallen angels possessed men, it may begin to connect with some of us because we can see the reality of demonic possession in today's world. From the movies in Hollywood to witchcraft around the globe, it's real.
The Heart of the Question: Are the "sons of God" (if human) able to become possessed?
The Answer: There is no evidence in the Bible to support this idea that God's children can become demon-possessed.
This last view claims that the “sons of God” were godly men who married ungodly women. Not from the line of Seth – just common men.
This union resulted in the Nephilim, a group of offspring that "fell away."
Debate with the theory. Again, we must go back to the fact that there is still debate as to what the term Nephilim means as it's related to the verb series "to fall" (Hebrew word “naphal”).
This view relies on the verb series "naphal," which means fallen or to fall.
Support for the theory. This position is consistent with Scripture both pre-flood and post-flood.
Meaning before the flood, these offspring were "fallen men." After the flood (when God destroyed everyone but the family of Noah), these Nephilim are still showing up (Numbers 13:33). Therefore, the Nephilim are simply fallen men.
What does the Bible say about Nephilim?
The Nephilim are mentioned just before the Flood account in Genesis 6:4, which states: The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went into the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were old warriors of renown.
What is the meaning of Nephilim?
"A biblical race of giants or demigods. the Nephilim were on the earth in those days Genesis 6:4 (Revised Standard Version)" ~ Merriam-Webster
What happened to the Nephilim?
One interpretation is that God granted ten percent of the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim to remain after the flood as demons to try to lead the human race astray until the final Judgment.
This is a question asked by many people. If God flooded the earth, killing all mankind besides the family of Noah, how is it that Nephilim are still alive? Scholars have responded a few different ways.
The Book of Enoch describes angels marrying women on earth, and the offspring was a giant type of being.
Enoch is not considered the inspired, authoritative word of God. Jews and early Christians held this book as a good read. Meaning it wasn't fully accurate but still held nuggets of truth.
Some say that it should be in the biblical canon because Enoch is quoted in Jude 1:14. But other writings are also quoted in Scripture that are clearly not the word of God (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12).
We can't forget to consider the Rephaim when we speak of giants in the Bible and the Nephilim (Genesis 14:5).
One of the definitions of Rephaim, according to the Jews, is a people group of greater-than-average height and stature (Deuteronomy 2:20-21) also known as the Zamzummim. They were as tall as the Anakim, according to Scripture, which are other giants in the land.
Where did these giants come from? Some would argue that they can be traced back to Genesis 6.
This article was adapted from "Who were the Nephilim?" on Elevating Your Life.
Edward Antonio is the Founder of Elevating Your Life and a student of theology and church history. He lives in Orange County, CA, and is part of Harvest Christian Fellowship. Find him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mredwardantonio/ or answering Bible questions at: https://elevatingyourlife.org/.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/bestdesigns
Related podcast:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.