Nephilim

For other uses, see Nephilim (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Nevi'im or Niflheim.

The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Hieronymus Bosch, based on Genesis 6:1–4

The Nephilim (/ˈnɛfɪˌlɪm/; Hebrew: נְפִילִים Nəfīlīm) are mysterious beings or people in the Bible traditionally imagined as being of great size and strength, or alternatively beings of great power and authority.[1] The origins of the Nephilim are disputed. Some, including the author of the Book of Enoch, view them as the offspring of rebellious angels and humans.[2][3] Others view them as descendants of Seth and Cain.[4][5][6]

This reference to them is in Genesis 6:1–4, but the passage is ambiguous and the identity of the Nephilim is disputed.[7][8] According to Numbers 13:33, ten of the Twelve Spies report the existence of Nephilim in Canaan prior to its conquest by the Israelites.[9][10]

A similar or identical Biblical Hebrew term, read as "Nephilim" by some scholars, or as the word "fallen" by others, appears in Ezekiel 32:27 and is also mentioned in the deuterocanonical books Judith 16:6, Sirach 16:7, Baruch 3:26–28, and Wisdom 14:6.[a][11][12]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  7. ^ "Nephilim". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. ^ Doedens, J.J.T. (2019). The Sons of God in Genesis 6:1–4: Analysis and history of exegesis. Brill. pp. 75–76. ISBN 978-9004395909. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference JPS_1917 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Numbers 13:33". The Holy Scriptures: A new translation. JPS. 1917. Retrieved 9 February 2024 – via sefaria.org.
  11. ^ a b Hendel, Ronald S. (1987). "Of demigods and the deluge: Toward an interpretation of Genesis 6:1–4". Journal of Biblical Literature. 106 (1): 22. doi:10.2307/3260551. JSTOR 3260551.
  12. ^ a b Doak, Brian R. (2013). "Ezekiel's topography of the (un-)heroic dead in Ezekiel 32:17–32". Journal of Biblical Literature. 132 (3): 607–624. doi:10.2307/23487889. JSTOR 23487889.


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