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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Nephilim weren't just giants of unusual size; their name likely implies they were violent aggressors who "fell upon" others, or perhaps even "fell away" from God. These "mighty men" were distinguished not just by their physical prowess, but by their renown, indicating they were widely known—and likely feared—for their actions, both before and after the significant mixing of "sons of God" with "daughters of man."
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the time leading up to the flood, humanity had become overwhelmingly corrupt, marked by great wickedness and violence. This verse describes two groups contributing to this corruption: the "Nephilim," who were powerful figures known for their violence, and then the "sons of God" who began to intermarry with the "daughters of men," producing offspring who also became famous and influential figures, further contributing to the world's moral decay. This intertwining of the godly lineage with the corrupt world ultimately sealed humanity's fate, leading to God's decision to send the flood.
Who were these 'Nephilim' mentioned in Genesis 6:4? Were they simply giants of immense stature, or does the name carry a deeper meaning?
The term 'Nephilim' is intriguing. While often translated as 'giants,' its Hebrew root (related to 'to fall') suggests a different meaning.
A Fall from Grace
The 'Nephilim' were not the only prominent figures mentioned. The offspring of the 'sons of God' and 'daughters of men' also became 'mighty men... men of renown.' What does this 'renown' signify?
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The phrase 'mighty men... men of renown' describes the offspring of the intermarriages between the 'sons of God' and the 'daughters of men.' This renown wasn't necessarily a mark of godly character but of earthly influence and fame.
Power, Prestige, and Peril
Genesis 6:4 describes a mixing of 'sons of God' with 'daughters of men.' Why was this mixing so significant and ultimately tragic?
The core tragedy in Genesis 6:4 lies in the blurring of the sacred distinction God intended between His people and the world.
The Erosion of Holiness
Understand the original words
nephilim · Hebrew Noun
A group of beings described as giants or mighty men, often associated with violence and the corruption of the pre-flood world. Their presence marks an era of exceptional turmoil and rebellion.
The mention of 'giants' and 'sons of God' in Genesis 4 places this event in the very early history of humanity, a time marked by rapid population growth and, tragically, a steep moral decline before the Great Flood. This context highlights the extreme wickedness that precipitated God's judgment.
c. 10,500 – 4000 BC
Early Post-Flood Civilizations Emerge
Following the Great Flood, humanity slowly rebuilds. Early settlements and agricultural communities begin to develop in various regions.
c. 4000 BC
Rise of Early City-States
The development of more complex societies leads to the formation of early city-states, particularly in Mesopotamia, with developing social hierarchies and organized leadership.
c. 3000 BC
Development of Early Writing Systems
Sumerians develop cuneiform, and Egyptians develop hieroglyphs, marking a significant leap in record-keeping, administration, and the transmission of knowledge.
c. 2500 BC
Growth of Empires and Kingdoms
Larger political entities like the Akkadian Empire and the Old Kingdom of Egypt emerge, characterized by centralized power, organized armies, and extensive trade networks.
c. 2300 BC— this verse
The time of the Nephilim and Sons of God
This period in Genesis 6 describes a time when a notable lineage of 'giants' or 'mighty men' existed. It also details the troubling unions between the 'sons of God' and the 'daughters of men,' leading to a widespread corruption that God observes.
c. 2348 BC
The Great Flood
God unleashes a catastrophic flood to cleanse the earth of its pervasive wickedness, preserving only Noah and his family, and a remnant of animal life, in the ark.
This passage speaks of angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling, directly paralleling the idea of the 'sons of God' overstepping their bounds.
2 Peter 2:4This verse describes God casting angels who sinned into hell, offering a glimpse into the divine judgment that likely followed the events described in Genesis 6.
Numbers 13:33This verse explicitly mentions the Nephilim again, describing them as large and intimidating giants encountered by the Israelites in Canaan, connecting the antediluvian figures to later biblical narratives.
This apocryphal text reflects on the corruption of the time, mentioning that 'those who were first created by you, O Lord, were not suffered to perish; but these too were drowned by their own wickedness.'
Jesus compares the days of the Son of Man to the days of Noah, highlighting the rampant wickedness and sudden destruction that characterized that era, underscoring the severity of the judgment.
calvinGenesis 6:1-22: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,"
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Gigantes fuerunt in terra in diebus illis: et etiam postquam ingressi sunt filii Dei ad filias hominum, genuerunt eis: isti sunt potentes, qui a saec…
gillGenesis 6:4: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown."
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 th…
The Nephilim weren't just giants of unusual size; their name likely implies they were violent aggressors who "fell upon" others, or perhaps even "fell away" from God. These "mighty men" were distinguished not just by their physical prowess, but by their renown, indicating they were widely known—and likely feared—for their actions, both before and after the significant mixing of "sons of God" with "daughters of man."
In the time leading up to the flood, humanity had become overwhelmingly corrupt, marked by great wickedness and violence. This verse describes two groups contributing to this corruption: the "Nephilim," who were powerful figures known for their violence, and then the "sons of God" who began to intermarry with the "daughters of men," producing offspring who also became famous and influential figures, further contributing to the world's moral decay. This intertwining of the godly lineage with the corrupt world ultimately sealed humanity's fate, leading to God's decision to send the flood.
In the time leading up to the flood, humanity had become overwhelmingly corrupt, marked by great wickedness and violence. This verse describes two groups contributing to this corruption: the "Nephilim," who were powerful figures known for their violence, and then the "sons of God" who began to intermarry with the "daughters of men," producing offspring who also became famous and influential figures, further contributing to the world's moral decay. This intertwining of the godly lineage with the corrupt world ultimately sealed humanity's fate, leading to God's decision to send the flood.
"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." — The Nephilim weren't just giants of unusual size; their name likely implies they were violent aggressors who "fell upon" others, or perhaps even "fell away" from God. These "mighty men" were distingu…
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Last reviewed October 2026