Bible Dictionaries
Nephilim (2)

Holman Bible Dictionary

(nee' fihssh) Term probably derived from the root “to fall” and meaning either “the fallen ones” or else “ones who fall [violently] upon others.” At Genesis 6:4 the term designates ancient heroes who, according to most interpreters, are the products of sexual union of heavenly beings (“sons of God”; compare Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7; Psalm 29:1; Psalm 82:6 ) and human women. The account illustrates the breakdown of the God-ordained order separating heaven and earth (Genesis 1:6-10 ) and specifying reproduction “each according to its kind” (Genesis 1:11-12 ,Genesis 1:11-12,1:21 ,Genesis 1:21,1:24-25 ). God intervened to reestablish limits inherent in creation (Genesis 6:3; compare Genesis 3:22-23 ). At Numbers 13:33 Nephilim designates a race of giants descended from Anak against whom the Israelites appeared as grasshoppers. See Sons of God; Rephaim .