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Uncover the mystery of the Nephilim in Genesis 6:4. Explore their origins, impact on humanity, and the role they played in divine judgment through the flood. Who were these rebel angels, and why were they so consequential? Find out in our comprehensive biblical analysis.

Genesis 6:1-4 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
6 Now it came about when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then Jehovah said, “My Spirit shall not remain with man forever, for he also is flesh; therefore, his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Nephilim: This term is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew word “nephi·limʹ,” which shows up three times in the Bible (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33 [twice]). The word likely comes from the Hebrew verb “na·phalʹ,” meaning to “fall.”

Background: In the days leading up to Noah’s Flood, Scripture tells us that “the sons of the true God” took human wives. During this time, the Nephilim were present on earth. According to Genesis 6:1-4, these beings were the offspring of “the sons of the true God” and human women, becoming “mighty ones” (Hebrew, “hag·gib·bo·rimʹ”)—notable men of ancient times.

Identity Debate: Scholars have different opinions on the identity of the Nephilim. Some think they were ‘fallen angels,’ based on the root meaning of their name. Others say the Nephilim fell from heaven because they were the offspring of heavenly beings. Still, another group suggests they were merely wicked men, like Cain, who were evil tyrants. Lastly, some argue that they were hybrids born from the union of materialized angels and human women.

Are Nephilim the Same as ‘Mighty Ones’? Some translations rearrange the phrase “and also after that” in Genesis 6:4, suggesting that the Nephilim and “mighty ones” are the same. The Greek Septuagint uses the word “giʹgan·tes” (giants) to translate both terms, adding to this perspective.

Timeline: The account in Genesis notes that the Nephilim were on the earth during the time when Jehovah declared He would no longer be patient with humanity, giving them 120 years before the Flood. The passage further explains that the Nephilim continued to exist when “the sons of the true God” kept marrying human women.

In summary, the term Nephilim sparks multiple interpretations, but what remains clear is their connection to a period of great moral decay, leading to Jehovah’s decision to flood the earth. To comprehend who they were, it’s crucial to look at both the language of the Scripture and its historical context.

Who Were the ‘Sons of God’ That Fathered the Nephilim?

The term “sons of the true God” found in Genesis 6:2 has sparked significant debate. Some suggest these were simply devout men who worshiped Jehovah, but this interpretation raises questions. If they were just men, why would their marriage to “the daughters of men” result in increased wickedness on Earth? After all, Noah and his family were the only humans in Jehovah’s favor, spared from the Deluge (Genesis 6:9; 8:15, 16; 1 Peter 3:20).

Furthermore, if these “sons of the true God” were mere men, why were their offspring described as “men of fame,” notably different from either the wicked or even the righteous like Noah? The question also arises: why would their marriages be noteworthy? After all, marriage and child-rearing had been occurring for over 1,500 years by this time.

The Biblical Evidence Points to Angels

The most likely interpretation, then, is that these “sons of the true God” were angels—specifically spirit “sons of God.” This term is used to refer to angels in other parts of Scripture like Job 1:6 and 38:7. This view is corroborated by the New Testament. Peter refers to “the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days” (1 Peter 3:19-20). Jude also writes about “the angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place” (Jude 6).

Angelic Rebellion and Its Consequences

Angels have the capability to materialize in human form, as seen in various Biblical accounts (Genesis 18:1, 2, 8, 20-22; 19:1-11; Joshua 5:13-15). However, their proper abode is heaven, serving under Jehovah (Daniel 7:9, 10). Leaving this spiritual realm to engage in fleshly relations on Earth constitutes a rebellion against Jehovah’s laws and is a form of perversion.

Currently, these disobedient angels are referred to as “spirits in prison,” having been ‘thrown into Tartarus’ and “reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day” (1 Peter 3:19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). This suggests that their abilities to materialize are now heavily restricted, unlike the time prior to the Flood.

In summary, the “sons of the true God” most likely refer to angels who rebelled against Jehovah’s laws, leading to significant moral decay on Earth and resulting in divine judgment.

Increased Wickedness: The Nephilim’s Detrimental Impact

The offspring of these unions between “the sons of the true God” and human women were referred to as “mighty ones who were of old, the men of fame.” However, these individuals were not celebrated by Jehovah—they did not survive the Flood like Noah and his family did. These “mighty ones” were Nephilim, bullies and tyrants who likely exacerbated the wicked conditions on Earth.

Their angelic fathers had the knowledge to materialize into human bodies, but it’s important to note that they were not creating life. Instead, they occupied these bodies and, through relations with human women, produced these “mighty ones.” Thus, these children were unauthorized hybrids. Interestingly, there’s no evidence to suggest that these Nephilim had children of their own.

Influence on Mythology

The fame and terror surrounding the Nephilim apparently inspired various mythologies among pagan peoples. After the confusion of languages at Babel scattered humanity across the Earth, distorted and embellished forms of the Genesis account started to appear. Nonetheless, these myths often bore remarkable resemblances to the Biblical narrative. For instance, Greek mythology frequently features gods and goddesses who mated with humans to create powerful heroes and fearsome demigods with divine-human traits.

A Report Crafted to Instill Fear

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, ten spies were sent to scout the land of Canaan. They returned with a report designed to spread fear: “All the people whom we saw in the midst of it are men of extraordinary size. And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who are from the Nephilim; so that we became in our own eyes like grasshoppers, and the same way we became in their eyes” (Numbers 13:31-33; 14:36, 37). While it’s true that Canaan had some large inhabitants, this “bad report” is the only instance where these men are referred to as Nephilim—a term deliberately chosen to induce terror and panic among the Israelites.

In summary, the Nephilim and their angelic fathers had a damaging effect on humanity, fostering wickedness and ultimately leading to the Flood. Their notoriety even influenced various mythologies. And though their name was exploited to sow fear among the Israelites, their real story serves as a sobering lesson on the consequences of rebellion against Jehovah’s laws.

Correcting Mistaken Views

Old Testament Scholar Kenneth Gangel writes,

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. This statement has been taken either as describing the result of the union (but notice the Nephilim were on earth not only before the flood but also afterwards; Num. 13:33) or as the time when this type of marriage was taking place. It was a time when well-known heroes chose whoever they wanted to marry without considering the spiritual conditions of their marriage partner. It was improper, mixed marriage that was the catalyst for creating such an ungodly society that God was forced to act in judgment. – Kenneth Gangel, Holman Old Testament Commentary – Genesis: 6. B&H Publishing Group.

Indeed, Kenneth Gangel’s interpretation of Genesis 6:4 is reflective of a wider view that tends to downplay or outright dismiss the notion that “sons of God” refers to heavenly beings or angels. This perspective instead insists that the passage merely discusses improper, mixed marriages between ungodly and godly lineages. Let’s engage in a detailed, phrase-by-phrase exegesis of Genesis 6:4 to address the issues.

Genesis 6:4: “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days”

The Hebrew term “Nephilim” has been the subject of significant debate. The root of this term seems to come from the Hebrew verb “naphal,” meaning “to fall.” Many conservative scholars interpret the term as referring to “fallen ones,” thus aligning them with rebel angels. The notion that they were “on the earth in those days” necessitates careful consideration of what “those days” refers to. Contextually, Genesis 6:3 provides us with a timeline: “his [man’s] days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” This marks “those days” as the period leading up to the Flood, specifically the 120 years referenced.

“and also afterward”

This phrase has often been cited to argue that the Nephilim survived the Flood. However, such a reading overlooks the chronology of the text. The phrase “and also afterward” is best understood in the light of the preceding context, indicating that the Nephilim existed not just at the time the fallen angels began their rebellious acts but also throughout the 120 years leading up to the Flood. The use of “afterward” is not an affirmation of their survival post-Flood, as Numbers 13:33 refers to a different group labeled as Nephilim, likely to emphasize their fearsome stature rather than a genealogical link.

K. A. Mathews writes,

Defining the term on the basis of Numbers 13 may be misleading since the spies were certainly exaggerating (“grasshoppers”) the opposition they encountered in Canaan. Actually the faithless spies counted all the inhabitants as formidable: “All the people we saw there are of great size” (Num 13:32). There is no intention in Numbers to equate the Nephilim of Moses’ day directly with the antediluvian Nephilim. When we consider the evidence of Deuteronomy’s recollection of these Canaanite peoples, it is better to understand the allusion to the Nephilim therefore in Numbers 13 as figurative, cited by the spies because of the violent reputation attributed to “Nephilim” from ancient times. – K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11:26, vol. 1A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 337.

“when the sons of God came into the daughters of men, and they bore children to them”

Here is where the crux of the debate usually lies. The term “sons of God” (B’nai Elohim in Hebrew) appears in other Old Testament passages and almost invariably refers to heavenly beings (Job 1:6; 38:7). To suddenly interpret “sons of God” as godly men marrying ungodly women imposes an inconsistent hermeneutic on the text. It also fails to account for why such unions would produce offspring described as “mighty” and “men of renown.” The term “came into” and “bore children” implies a physical relationship that resulted in offspring that were extraordinary, aligning with the view that these were not normal human unions.

“Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.”

The Hebrew term used here for “mighty men” is “gibborim,” often used to describe heroes but also giants and warriors. The phrase “men of renown” (literally, “men of the name”) suggests that these were not ordinary individuals. Their reputations were vast, and likely, so was their impact—presumably of a negative, destructive kind given the dire conditions described in Genesis 6:5.

Misconception of Improper, Mixed Marriages

Gangel argues that the real issue was improper marriages between godly and ungodly individuals. While mixed marriages are indeed discouraged elsewhere in Scripture, it is a leap to assume that they led to the severe societal degradation described in Genesis 6. The term “Nephilim” and “sons of God” implies something far more disruptive. Furthermore, if the issue were merely mixed marriages, it would hardly necessitate divine judgment in the form of a worldwide flood.

In conclusion, a consistent, historical-grammatical exegesis of Genesis 6:4 substantiates the interpretation that the “sons of God” refers to heavenly beings, not merely human men from a godly line. It also clarifies that the Nephilim were on earth during the 120-year period leading up to the Flood. There is no substantial evidence to support their post-Flood survival, and the notion that Genesis 6:4 discusses nothing more than improper, mixed marriages fails both textually and logically. God’s decision to send a Flood, a cataclysmic judgment, aligns more closely with the gravity of angelic beings leaving their designated abode and producing offspring that contributed to extreme wickedness on the earth.

Materialization and Ability to Impregnate

The fact that angels materialized in human form in various biblical accounts (e.g., Genesis 18 with Abraham and Genesis 19 in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah) indicates they had the ability to interact with the physical world in a manner indistinguishable from humans. This is not just about appearance but about function; they ate, talked, and even engaged in actions that had physical impacts (e.g., the angels who struck down Sodom and Gomorrah).

Angelic Powers: Given their divine origin, angels have capabilities far beyond human abilities. Scripture reveals instances where single angels exacted massive destruction (e.g., 2 Kings 19:35, where an angel killed 185,000 Assyrian warriors in a single night). Given these remarkable capabilities, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that angels could produce biological material compatible with human reproductive systems.

Motivation for Sexual Attraction

Primary Motive: The point that sexual attraction may not have been the primary motive for these angels is well-taken. Angels are spiritual beings with a full understanding of Jehovah’s will and purpose for humanity. Their decision to materialize and have relations with women was a rebellious act against God’s divine order.

Sabotaging God’s Plan: The main motive could have been far more sinister than mere attraction; it could be an attempt to contaminate the human gene pool to prevent the coming of the Seed promised in Genesis 3:15. If this was their aim, it was a calculated act of rebellion and defiance against God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Scriptural Evidence: The phrase “the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful” (Genesis 6:2) does seem to imply an element of sexual attraction. Yet, given their spiritual nature and understanding, it’s plausible that their ‘seeing’ had a more malevolent intent behind it than just physical attraction. It was a ‘seeing’ that led to a calculated act of rebellion against Jehovah.

In conclusion, if one accepts that angels have the remarkable ability to materialize as humans, engage in physical actions, and even bring about vast destruction, it seems less problematic to accept that they could also produce offspring through human women. Furthermore, while sexual attraction might be mentioned in the text, it does not have to be understood as the primary motive. The act’s rebellious nature and its dire consequences, leading up to the divine judgment of the Flood, suggest a darker and more complex motivation.

Humanity Was Put On Notice

6:1: Population Boom
Humanity was growing at an astonishing rate as men and women were coming together and having kids.

6:2: Angelic Interference
The term “sons of the true God” here refers to angels. These angels started to marry human women. This is significant because it shows that angels have the ability to take on human form, something also seen when Abraham was visited by angels. This unholy union between angels and humans led to severe wickedness.

6:3: Divine Patience Running Thin
God was losing patience with how corrupt the world had become. He decided that humanity had 120 years until judgment would arrive. This 120-year timeframe would culminate in the catastrophic flood that would wipe out all wicked humans and the Nephilim.

6:4: The Nephilim’s Timeframe
Genesis tells us, “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days”—meaning when these rebel angels were messing around with human women and having Nephilim as kids—”and also afterward”—which refers to the 120 years leading up to the flood.

2 Peter 2:5: Universal Judgment
The flood didn’t just remove humans who were bad. It eliminated all the ungodly, leaving no room for the notion that some Nephilim survived.

FACT: Noah and His Family Were Not Nephilim
The only humans who survived the flood were Noah and his family, none of whom were Nephilim. This dispels any arguments about post-flood Nephilim survival.

FACT: Post-Flood Limitations on Angels
There’s zero evidence in the Bible that rebel angels were able to materialize as humans after the flood. This implies that they lost that ability.

FACT: The Real Reason for the Flood
Some people think the flood happened because humans were just too wicked. But let’s be real: if it were only about human wickedness, then why haven’t we seen another flood? The true catalyst was the extreme wickedness induced by these rebel angels and their Nephilim offspring.

FACT: Restraining Rebel Angels
Post-flood, God seemed to restrict these angels’ abilities. No more turning into humans for them. This was likely done to prevent a repeat of the pre-flood wickedness.

FACT: A Global Cleanse
God initiated a global flood to annihilate this deeply corrupt and violent ancient world. It was infected by these materialized rebel angels, also known as demons, and their Nephilim kids. While these angels dematerialized and retreated, the Nephilim were utterly destroyed along with all other wicked beings. In stark contrast, Noah and his family were righteous and therefore survived the flood.—Genesis 6:9; 7:12, 13, 23; 2 Peter 2:5.

By taking a closer look at these biblical passages, it becomes clear that the flood was about much more than human wickedness. It was a divine intervention to put an end to an extremely vile, hybrid corruption of God’s creation.

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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).