The Bible teaches that the Nephilim were giants mentioned in Genesis 6:1–4 and Numbers 13:33. They appeared before the Flood and are associated with the mysterious “sons of God,” human corruption, and great violence. While Christians differ on their exact origin, Scripture strongly connects their appearance to supernatural rebellion and escalating wickedness before God’s judgment in the Flood.
The Nephilim in Genesis 6: Giants Before the Flood
The first mention of giants in the Bible appears in Genesis 6:1–4 (ESV):
“When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose… The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward… These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”
The key phrase here is “sons of God.” In the Old Testament, this phrase most naturally refers to angelic beings. Job 1:6 (ESV) says, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD.” Job 38:7 likewise speaks of the “sons of God” shouting for joy at creation. In both cases, the phrase clearly describes heavenly beings, not human descendants.
Genesis 6 describes these “sons of God” taking human women and producing offspring identified as Nephilim—mighty men of renown. The immediate result is not blessing, but corruption and violence. Genesis 6:5 (ESV) declares:
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
The text connects the appearance of the Nephilim with increasing wickedness and disorder in creation. The earth becomes “filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11). The context suggests something profoundly disruptive occurred, contributing to the moral collapse that led to the Flood.
Fallen Angels and New Testament Confirmation
The New Testament appears to reflect back on this event. Jude 6–7 (ESV) says:
“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness… just as Sodom and Gomorrah… indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire.”
Jude links angelic rebellion with sexual transgression. Similarly, 2 Peter 2:4 (ESV) says:
“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness…”
Both passages connect angelic sin with divine judgment and confinement. While neither explicitly repeats Genesis 6 in detail, they strongly echo its themes—angels leaving their proper domain and facing judgment. This strengthens the understanding that Genesis 6 describes a supernatural rebellion involving fallen angels.
Other Views About the Nephilim
Some interpreters understand the “sons of God” to refer to the godly line of Seth intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. This view emphasizes moral compromise rather than supernatural involvement. Others suggest the phrase refers to powerful human rulers who exalted themselves and took women by force.
These interpretations aim to preserve a strictly human explanation of the passage. However, they must explain why the phrase “sons of God” is used in a way that elsewhere clearly refers to angelic beings, and why the New Testament speaks of angels who sinned in a manner connected with judgment and restraint.
While faithful believers hold these different views, the angelic interpretation fits most naturally with the language of the text and its broader biblical connections.
Giants After the Flood: Anakim, Rephaim, and Goliath
The Bible also records giants after the Flood. In Numbers 13:33 (ESV), the Israelite spies report:
“And there we saw the Nephilim… and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers.”
Deuteronomy 2:10–11 describes the Anakim as a people “great and many, and tall.” Og king of Bashan is described in Deuteronomy 3:11 as the last of the Rephaim, with a bed measuring roughly thirteen feet long.
The most famous giant is Goliath of Gath. First Samuel 17:4 (ESV) describes him as “a champion… whose height was six cubits and a span.” Yet Goliath’s defeat makes the theological point clear. David says in 1 Samuel 17:47, “The battle is the LORD’s.” Giants may appear powerful, but they are never beyond God’s authority.
The Theological Meaning of Giants in the Bible
So what is the deeper meaning of giants (Nephilim) in Scripture?
First, they show that rebellion against God extends beyond humanity. The Bible presents a worldview that includes both human sin and angelic rebellion. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) reminds believers that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities… against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Second, giants symbolize intensified opposition to God’s purposes. Whether before the Flood or in the land of Canaan, they represent forces that attempt to resist God’s covenant plan.
Third, their defeat points forward to Christ. Colossians 2:15 (ESV) declares that Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame.” Just as David defeated Goliath, Jesus triumphs over every spiritual power. No giant—physical or spiritual—can overturn God’s redemptive purposes.
Conclusion: What the Bible Clearly Teaches About the Nephilim
The Bible teaches that the Nephilim were real giants connected to a period of profound corruption before the Flood. The language of Genesis 6, supported by Job, Jude, and 2 Peter, strongly suggests that fallen angels were involved in this rebellion. After the Flood, giant clans continued to appear, but they consistently fell before the purposes of God.
The focus of Scripture is not the mystery of their biology but the certainty of God’s sovereignty. Giants rise in rebellion, but they fall in judgment. The Lord reigns over heaven and earth, and His redemptive plan in Christ cannot be stopped.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giants (Nephilim)
Were the Nephilim fallen angels?
The Bible does not say they were angels themselves, but Genesis 6, Job 1, Jude 6, and 2 Peter 2 strongly suggest their origin involved angelic rebellion.
Did giants exist after the Flood?
Yes. The Anakim, Rephaim, and Goliath are described as unusually tall warriors in the Old Testament.
Why did God judge the world in Noah’s day?
Genesis 6:5–11 says the earth was filled with violence and corruption. The appearance of the Nephilim occurred during this period of escalating wickedness.
What is the main lesson about giants in the Bible?
No rebellion—human or angelic—can overcome God’s authority. His purposes stand forever.
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