Nephilim In Genesis Biblical Context
The Nephilim are a mysterious group mentioned in Genesis 6:4, described as being on the earth "in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men" [1]. These unions produced offspring who became "the mighty men of old, men of renown" [1]. The term "Nephilim" itself is a proper name in Hebrew, appearing only in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33 [2].
The etymology of "Nephilim" is debated among scholars and commentators. Many suggest it derives from a root meaning "to fall." Rashi, a prominent medieval Jewish commentator, interpreted the name to mean they "fell ( naphlu ) and caused the downfall ( hipilu ) of the world" [4]. This view is echoed in the Bereshith Rabbah [4]. Other interpretations suggest the name reflects the fear they inspired; Abraham Ibn Ezra, another influential Jewish scholar, proposed they were called Nephilim because "anyone who saw them lost heart at their huge stature" [5, 7]. This idea is supported by the observation that the word eimah (terror) is related to the Eimim, another group of giants mentioned in the Bible [4]. A modern academic perspective also notes that the term "may mean 'fallen ones'" [3].
The context of Genesis 6:4 places the Nephilim within the narrative leading up to the Great Flood. They are presented as the offspring of the "sons of God" and "daughters of men" [1]. While the identity of these "sons of God" is a subject of extensive theological discussion, the text clearly links the Nephilim to this unusual union. The Tyndale House commentary suggests that the Nephilim were among those who would be destroyed in the flood [3].
The presence of Nephilim is not confined solely to the antediluvian world. Genesis 6:4 states they were on the earth "in those days—and afterward as well" [1]. This "afterward" clause is crucial for understanding later biblical references. Numbers 13:33 explicitly mentions the Nephilim again, when the Israelite spies report seeing "the Nephilim, the sons of Anak" in Canaan, describing them as giants in comparison to whom the Israelites felt like grasshoppers [3]. Abraham Ibn Ezra connects these post-Flood Nephilim to those mentioned in Genesis, suggesting they were descendants or a continuation of the same lineage [6]. Nachmanides (Ramban) also discusses this continuity, considering whether Noah's sons' wives might have carried their lineage or if Ibn Ezra's interpretation implies a post-Flood resurgence [9]. Deuteronomy 2:11 further connects the Anakite Nephilim with another group of giants called the Rephaim [3].
John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that these giants existed "in those days" before the widespread apostasy described in Genesis 6, possibly in the time of Jared, and suggests they were born from the union of the children of Seth and the daughters of Cain [8]. This interpretation aligns with one common view that the "sons of God" were the godly lineage of Seth, while the "daughters of men" were the ungodly lineage of Cain.
The Nephilim are consistently depicted as figures of immense size and power, inspiring fear and representing a significant challenge to God's people. Their mention in both pre- and post-Flood narratives underscores a recurring theme of extraordinary, often hostile, beings in biblical history.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 6:4 (BSB) — The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown.”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H5303 — People from Nephil(?) (refs: #People from Nephil(?), first mentioned at Gen.6.4; <br>only referred to as <strong="H5303">Nephilim)”
- 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 (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.”
- 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 (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”
- 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 (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 (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 6:4: IN THOSE DAYS. Rashi comments: “in the days of the generation of Enosh. AND ALSO AFTER THAT. Although they witnessed the destruction of the generation of Enosh when the ocean rose and flooded a third of the world, still they did not humble themselves and take a lesson from them.” Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explained: “also after the flood, since the sons of Anak 503 Numbers 13:33. The giants. were of the family of bnei ha’elohim.” If so, we must say that either the wives of Noah’s sons were of their [the Nephilim’s ] descendants and resembled them or that ibn E”