A race of pre-flood people who were physically large (giants), possibly progenitors to the Anakim (Numbers 13:33) and Rephaim.
About Nephilim
An early group of people mentioned only twice in the Old Testament (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33). The Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Septuagint) translated "Nephilim" as "giants." Other versions, like the King James Version, followed this. Most modern translations call them Nephilim. They link them to the Anakim (Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:21) and the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 2:20). These groups were known for their large size, which is why they were often called "giants."
The origin of the Nephilim is unclear. Some say the Hebrew verb naphal, meaning "to fall," implies the Nephilim were "fallen ones." These were fallen angels who later had children with human women. But Jesus taught that angels do not have physical relationships (Luke 20:34–35). This idea assumes that Genesis 6:1–4 reflects Greek myths, where such unions happened. However, the passage in Genesis is about human history, not mythology.
Key References
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.
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”
All Scripture References (2)
Genesis (1)
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.
Numbers (1)
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”