Genesis 6:4 Commentary: When Giants Walked the Earth – The Mysterious Nephilim and Their ‘divine’ Origins
Quick Answer – Meaning of This Verse: Genesis 6:4 introduces the enigmatic Nephilim, describing them as giants who existed when divine beings (“sons of God”) took human wives, producing mighty offspring who became renowned warriors before the flood.
Translation Comparison
| Translation | Text | Insights |
|---|---|---|
| ESV | 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, men of renown. | The ESV maintains literal Hebrew structure while distinguishing “sons of God” from “daughters of man,” preserving the supernatural interpretation |
| NIV | The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes that were of old, men of renown. | The NIV uses “daughters of humans” emphasizing the contrast between divine and human participants |
| NASB | The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. | The NASB closely follows Hebrew word order and maintains traditional terminology for “sons of God” |
| CSB | The Nephilim were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men. | The CSB translates “gibborim” as “powerful men” and emphasizes their fame and reputation |
| Contextual Paraphrase | The mysterious giants called Nephilim lived on earth during the time when divine beings descended to take human women as wives, producing extraordinary offspring who became legendary warriors and rulers of ancient times. | This paraphrase captures both the supernatural element and the lasting impact these beings had on ancient civilization |
Comparing translations reveals critical differences in how scholars understand the relationship between the Nephilim and the “sons of God.” The Hebrew grammar suggests the Nephilim were present both before and after the unions between divine beings and human women. The most significant translation difference centers on whether the Nephilim were the offspring of these unions or a separate group existing during the same period, with ancient translations like the Septuagint rendering nephilim as “gigantes” (giants).
What Is the Main Message of Genesis 6:4?
Central Message: Genesis 6:4 records a pivotal moment in primeval history when the boundary between heaven and earth was breached, resulting in supernatural offspring who embodied both divine power and human corruption. This verse serves as the theological explanation for the emergence of a race of powerful beings whose influence contributed to the corruption that necessitated the flood judgment. The passage introduces “the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown,” indicating these Nephilim became legendary figures whose memory persisted in ancient civilizations. Rather than merely describing physical giants, the text presents a cosmic disruption of Yahweh’s created order, where divine beings transgressed their appointed boundaries to interfere with human development. This supernatural interpretation gains support from the context leading directly into the flood narrative, suggesting these events catalyzed the universal corruption described in Genesis 6:5.
Key Insight: The Nephilim represent more than ancient giants—they embody the catastrophic consequences when divine and human realms intersect outside of Yahweh’s sovereign design.
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of Genesis 6:4?
- Author: Moses, writing during Israel’s wilderness period (traditional view)
- Date Written: Approximately 1446-1406 BCE, though reflecting much earlier primeval traditions
- Recipients: Israel preparing to enter the Promised Land
- Historical Setting: Ancient Near Eastern context where divine-human interactions and giant narratives were common in neighboring cultures
- Cultural Background: Mesopotamian traditions included accounts of divine beings (Apkallu) who descended to earth and left demigod offspring, providing literary parallels to Genesis 6
- Literary Genre: Primeval narrative bridging creation and flood accounts
Genesis 6:4 Background:
In ancient Near Eastern literature, the phrase “sons of God” (bene elohim) consistently referred to divine beings or angels, as evidenced in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7. The term “elohim” in Hebrew could refer to God, gods, or supernatural beings, with the construct “bene elohim” specifically denoting members of the divine council.
Understanding this context illuminates why ancient readers would have immediately recognized Genesis 6:4 as describing supernatural events. Recent scholarship on Mesopotamian apkallu traditions shows striking parallels to the Watchers traditions, demonstrating that Israel’s neighbors believed divine beings visited earth and produced offspring. Archaeological discoveries have revealed extensive cultural exchange throughout the ancient Near East, making it impossible to interpret biblical texts in isolation from their broader cultural milieu. The earliest Jewish interpretations, including the Septuagint translation and books like 1 Enoch, unanimously understood the “sons of God” as angels. This interpretive tradition continued until Augustine in the 4th century CE proposed the Sethite view (descendants of Seth), though this remained a minority position in early Christianity.
Context Summary: Genesis 6:4 emerges from an ancient world where divine-human interactions were understood as historical realities, not mere mythology.
How Does Genesis 6:4 Fit Within Its Passage?
“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, men of renown.”
Genesis 6:4 serves as a crucial bridge connecting the account of divine-human unions (verses 1-3) with the flood narrative that follows (verses 5-8). The verse functions as both conclusion and explanation—concluding the description of supernatural marriages while explaining their catastrophic consequences. The phrase “in those days, and also afterward” likely represents editorial clarification by later compilers, connecting pre-flood Nephilim with post-flood giants mentioned in Numbers 13:33.
The immediate context reveals a deliberate literary structure. Genesis 6:1-2 describes human population growth and divine beings taking wives. Verse 3 records Yahweh’s response, limiting human lifespan to 120 years. Verse 4 then explains the significance of these events by introducing the Nephilim, whose presence provides the backdrop for understanding why God determined to send the flood. The verse creates narrative tension by mentioning that Nephilim existed “also afterward,” foreshadowing their later appearance in Canaan.
Passage Structure:
- Verses 6:1-2: Human multiplication and divine-human unions
- Verse 6:3: Divine response and judgment declaration
- Verse 6:4: Introduction of Nephilim and their significance
- Verses 6:5-8: Universal corruption and flood decision
Flow Insight: Genesis 6:4 provides the theological explanation for how divine-human unions produced the corruption that necessitated global judgment.
What Are the Key Words in Genesis 6:4?
| Original Word | Significance |
|---|---|
| Nephilim – נְפִילִים (nəfīlīm) | Traditionally understood as “fallen ones” from the root naphal (to fall), though recent scholarship suggests it may derive from Aramaic meaning “giants,” explaining the Septuagint translation as “gigantes” |
| Gibborim – גִּבֹּרִים (gibbōrīm) | Meaning “mighty ones” or “warriors,” this term describes powerful, often tyrannical figures and only once translated as “giant” (Job 16:15), suggesting it’s primarily a descriptive title |
| Bene Elohim – בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים (bənē hāʾĔlōhīm) | “Sons of God” – a phrase used exclusively for divine beings in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7 to describe angelic members of the divine council |
Hebrew grammar analysis reveals that “and also afterward” (וְגַם אַחֲרֵי כֵן) can only refer back to the Nephilim grammatically, not to the sons of God, indicating these giants existed both before and after the flood. The morphological form of “Nephilim” in both Genesis and Numbers suggests the Aramaic meaning “giants” rather than the Hebrew “fallen ones,” which explains why ancient translators consistently rendered it as referring to beings of great stature. The Targum Onkelos, an authoritative Aramaic translation, explicitly identifies the Nephilim with the gibborim, suggesting they represent the same group of powerful beings.
Language Insight: Original language study reveals the Nephilim were supernatural giants whose very names indicated both their divine origins and their awesome power.
What Does Genesis 6:4 Teach Us About God?
Genesis 6:4 reveals Yahweh as the sovereign Judge who maintains cosmic order against supernatural rebellion. The verse demonstrates that God’s authority extends over all created beings, including those from the heavenly realm who transgress their appointed boundaries. Divine Justice emerges as a central theme—while the text doesn’t explicitly condemn the Nephilim, their mention immediately before the flood narrative implies divine disapproval of their existence and influence.
God’s Holiness appears in His response to boundary violations between the divine and human realms. The divine plan for human redemption through a human Redeemer requires the preservation of human lineage, making the corruption of humanity through supernatural means a direct assault on God’s redemptive purposes. Divine Sovereignty over creation becomes evident as God alone determines the proper relationship between heavenly and earthly realms.
God’s Patience and Judgment work in tension throughout this passage. The mention of 120 years in verse 3 suggests divine forbearance, yet the immediate context leading to the flood demonstrates that God’s patience has limits when faced with cosmic rebellion. The fact that demons involved in producing the Nephilim were judged and “kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains” (Jude 1:6) reveals God’s swift response to angelic transgression.
Yahweh’s Uniqueness stands in stark contrast to the chaos caused by unauthorized divine-human interactions. Unlike the capricious gods of surrounding nations, Yahweh maintains perfect order and justice, ensuring that violations of His created structure receive appropriate judgment.
Theological Core: Genesis 6:4 reveals Yahweh as the cosmic Judge who maintains perfect order against supernatural rebellion and corruption.
How Does Genesis 6:4 Connect to the Rest of Scripture?
Genesis 6:4 directly connects to Numbers 13:33, where Israelite spies report seeing Nephilim in Canaan, describing themselves as “grasshoppers” in comparison to these giants. This connection explains why Israel needed divine assistance to conquer the Promised Land—they faced descendants of supernatural beings. The New Testament references in Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4-6 explicitly connect Genesis 6 events to angelic rebellion and judgment.
Early Christian interpretation, including references in 1 Enoch and other pseudepigraphal literature, viewed Genesis 6:4 as describing fallen angels who left their proper dwelling to corrupt humanity. The Messiah’s genealogy becomes significant against this backdrop—Luke 3:38 traces Jesus back to “Adam, the son of God,” establishing the pure human lineage necessary for redemption despite Nephilim corruption.
Cross-references illuminate the verse’s broader significance:
- Numbers 13:33 – Post-flood Nephilim in Canaan requiring divine intervention for conquest
- Deuteronomy 9:1-2 – God’s power needed to defeat giant descendants
- Job 1:6 – “Sons of God” as divine council members
- Psalm 82:6-7 – Divine beings judged for corruption
- Jude 6 – Angels who abandoned their proper dwelling
- 2 Peter 2:4 – God’s judgment of sinning angels
- Matthew 24:37 – End times compared to Noah’s day
- 1 Peter 3:19-20 – Christ’s proclamation to imprisoned spirits from Noah’s time
Scripture Connection: Genesis 6:4 establishes the cosmic conflict theme that runs throughout Scripture, from angelic rebellion to ultimate judgment.
What Are the Major Themes in Genesis 6:4?
Theme Analysis:
| Theme | How It Appears in This Verse | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Violation | Divine beings transgressing their appointed realm to interfere with human development | Respecting God-established boundaries in relationships, authority, and spiritual practices |
| Corruption of Power | Nephilim becoming tyrannical rulers who dominated through violence and oppression | Using authority and strength to serve others rather than dominate them |
| Divine Justice | The immediate context leading to flood judgment demonstrates God’s response to cosmic rebellion | Understanding that all actions, including supernatural ones, fall under God’s righteous judgment |
| Preservation of Truth | The verse preserves ancient memories of supernatural events that explain later biblical references to giants | Maintaining biblical truth even when it challenges modern worldviews |
The theme of corrupted leadership emerges strongly, as the Nephilim used their supernatural strength to establish tyrannical rule rather than righteous governance. The preservation of human lineage theme appears in God’s concern to maintain the integrity of humanity for redemptive purposes. Divine sovereignty over both earthly and heavenly realms becomes evident as the verse describes events that ultimately fall under God’s judgment and control.
Thematic Summary: Genesis 6:4 weaves together themes of rebellion, judgment, and divine sovereignty that echo throughout biblical revelation.
How Can I Apply Genesis 6:4 to My Life?
Genesis 6:4 challenges us to recognize that spiritual realities profoundly impact our physical world. Just as the Nephilim’s supernatural origins influenced ancient civilizations, spiritual forces continue to shape modern culture in ways we often fail to recognize. This verse calls us to discernment—understanding that behind human systems of oppression and violence often lie spiritual powers that can only be confronted through divine strength.
The corruption represented by the Nephilim warns against the allure of power divorced from righteousness. Like these ancient giants who used their strength for domination rather than service, we face constant temptation to leverage our gifts, abilities, and positions for selfish gain rather than others’ benefit. The verse reminds us that God sees and judges the misuse of power, whether supernatural or natural.
The description of Nephilim as those who “took wives so that they would bear children to them, to keep the Nephilim in power” reveals the corrupting influence of using relationships for personal advancement rather than covenant love. This challenges us to examine our motives in relationships—are we seeking to love and serve, or to gain advantage and control?
The phrase “men of renown” carries both positive and cautionary implications. While achieving recognition isn’t inherently wrong, the Nephilim’s fame came through violence and oppression. This calls us to consider what kind of legacy we’re building—one that honors God and serves others, or one that exalts ourselves at others’ expense. The verse encourages us to pursue the kind of renown that comes from faithfulness to God rather than worldly power.
Self-Examination Questions:
- How do I use the power and influence God has given me—to serve others or to advance myself?
- Am I alert to spiritual forces that may be influencing culture and relationships around me?
- What kind of legacy am I building—one that honors God or seeks human glory?
- Do I respect the boundaries God has established in my relationships and responsibilities?
What Questions Should Genesis 6:4 Make You Ask?
These questions are designed to help you engage with this verse in fresh ways, looking beyond what’s explicitly stated to discover deeper insights. Challenge yourself to ask additional questions as you study – that’s where real discovery happens.
Verse-Probing Questions:
- Word Choice: “Why does the text specifically mention that Nephilim existed ‘also afterward’—what theological significance does their post-flood survival hold?”
- Hidden Implications: “If the Nephilim were ‘men of renown,’ what does this suggest about how ancient civilizations remembered and possibly venerated these beings?”
- Contrasts & Comparisons: “How does the description of Nephilim as ‘mighty men’ contrast with God’s later choice of David, the small shepherd, to defeat Goliath?”
- Alternative Phrasing: “What if the verse had said ‘righteous men’ instead of ‘mighty men’—how would this change our understanding of power’s proper use?”
- Divine Emphasis: “Why does God inspired Moses to include this mysterious verse rather than simply moving from the divine-human unions directly to the flood?”
- Placement & Timing: “How does positioning this verse immediately before the flood narrative affect our understanding of what prompted God’s judgment?”
- Fascinating Detail: “What are the implications of the Nephilim being described with past-tense verbs (‘were,’ ‘became’) as if their time had already passed when this was written?”
See some initial insights to these questions at the bottom of this page.
Did You Know?
- Historical Insight: The Sumerian King List describes antediluvian rulers with impossibly long reigns, parallel to biblical accounts of long lifespans before the flood, suggesting shared memory of the antediluvian period
- Archaeological Discovery: Ancient Mesopotamian tablets describe the Apkallu—seven antediluvian sages who brought civilization to humanity, paralleling traditions of divine beings instructing humans before the flood
- Cultural Practice: Ancient Near Eastern kings commonly claimed divine parentage to legitimize their rule, possibly reflecting distorted memories of actual divine-human offspring from primeval times
- Manuscript Evidence: The Septuagint (3rd century BCE Greek translation) renders “Nephilim” as “gigantes,” demonstrating early Jewish understanding of these beings as giants of extraordinary size
- Early Church Understanding: Church fathers before Augustine universally interpreted the “sons of God” as angels, with the angelic interpretation remaining dominant until the 4th century CE
- Linguistic Discovery: The morphological form of “Nephilim” in Hebrew manuscripts suggests an Aramaic meaning “giants” rather than the Hebrew “fallen ones,” explaining ancient translations
Further Reading
- Biblical Archaeology Society – Who Are the Nephilim? – Scholarly analysis of Nephilim identity and interpretation
- Britannica – Nephilim Definition and Scripture – Academic overview of Nephilim in religious studies
- BibleRef.com – Genesis 6:4 Commentary – Detailed verse-by-verse analysis
- Dr. Michael Heiser – Ancient Near Eastern Context – Scholarly examination of Mesopotamian parallels
- Got Questions – Sons of God in Genesis 6 – Theological interpretation of divine beings
Initial Insights to Study Questions:
These are suggested responses to help guide your thinking, but don’t stop here – develop your own insights as you study further.
- Word Choice Answer: The phrase “also afterward” creates theological tension by suggesting Nephilim genetics survived the flood, possibly through Noah’s daughters-in-law or indicating divine-human unions resumed post-flood, explaining later biblical giants.
- Hidden Implications Answer: Their fame suggests the Nephilim established civilization’s first dynasties, with their memory preserved in ancient mythology’s tales of demigods and heroes, explaining universal giant traditions across cultures.
- Contrasts & Comparisons Answer: The contrast between Nephilim might and David’s smallness reveals God’s pattern of using the weak to shame the strong, demonstrating that divine power supersedes supernatural physical advantages.
- Alternative Phrasing Answer: “Righteous men” would completely alter the passage’s meaning, revealing that the Nephilim’s power was corrupted rather than sanctified, emphasizing that strength without righteousness leads to tyranny.
- Divine Emphasis Answer: This verse provides crucial context for understanding the flood’s necessity—not just human wickedness, but cosmic-level corruption requiring complete reset of earthly civilization.
- Placement & Timing Answer: Positioning this verse between divine unions and flood judgment creates a cause-and-effect narrative, suggesting the Nephilim’s existence and influence catalyzed the corruption requiring global judgment.
- Fascinating Detail Answer: Past-tense descriptions imply Moses wrote from a post-flood perspective, possibly drawing from ancient records or divine revelation about pre-flood conditions that no longer existed in his time.
