10 Bible Verses about Nephilim
Sometimes called giants, sometimes “fallen ones,” the Nephilim appear in pivotal moments of the Old Testament, sparking centuries of debate. Who were they? What is their legacy? This blog post explores 10 key Bible verses that mention or relate to the Nephilim, delving into their origins, roles, and the enduring questions they raise.
1. Genesis 6:1-4 — The Foundational Passage
“When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose... 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 of old, men of renown.” (NIV)
Context:
This is the Bible’s clearest reference to the Nephilim. Here, the Nephilim are introduced during a period of increasing human population and divine-human interaction. Some interpret the “sons of God” as fallen angels; others see them as human rulers. Their children, the Nephilim, are described as mighty and renowned—so influential, in fact, that their presence is part of the reason for the coming flood.
2. Numbers 13:32-33 — The Fearsome Inhabitants of Canaan
“...The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Context:
As the Israelites scout the Promised Land, they encounter people of unusual size—the descendants of Anak, linked directly to the Nephilim. This passage is crucial because it shows the Nephilim as a living memory, a source of terror even after the flood. The Israelites’ fear of these giants leads to rebellion and wandering in the wilderness.
3. Deuteronomy 2:10-11 — The Emim, a People Great and Many
“(The Emim used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emim.)”
Context:
As Moses recounts Israel’s journey, he describes groups like the Emim, Rephaim, and Anakim—tribes of great stature associated with the Nephilim. This verse shows how different nations remembered these giant peoples. Even outside the Israelite tradition, tales of giants permeated the region.
4. Deuteronomy 2:20-21 — The Zamzummim (Zuzites)
“(That too was considered a land of the Rephaites, who used to live there; but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites. They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The Lord destroyed them from before the Ammonites...)”
Context:
Here, another giant people group is named. The Zamzummim, or Zuzites, are once again linked to the Rephaim and compared to the Anakim. This recurring motif of races of giants reinforces the idea that memories of the Nephilim and their kin lingered long after Genesis.
5. Deuteronomy 3:11 — Og, King of Bashan
“Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide.”
Context:
Og is depicted as a literal giant—the size of his bed translates to over 13 feet long! He’s called the last of the Rephaim, linking him with the Nephilim traditions. His defeat by Moses is a major victory over these legendary figures.
6. Joshua 11:21-22 — The Anakim Driven Out
“At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: ... No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive.”
Context:
Joshua’s conquest includes the defeat of the Anakim, descendants of the Nephilim. However, some survive in Philistine cities—potentially connecting to later giants like Goliath.
7. Genesis 14:5 — The Defeat of the Rephaim
“In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim...”
Context:
This verse shows the Rephaim (another term for ancient giants) being defeated by invading kings. It highlights how these people were significant enough to be mentioned in early military campaigns.
8. 2 Samuel 21:15-22 — The Last of the Giants
“...And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels... was killed by Abishai son of Zeruiah... These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”
Context:
David and his warriors face off against unusually large warriors, descendants of Rapha (Rephaim). This passage connects the Philistine giants back to the ancient traditions of the Nephilim and their kin.
9. 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 — Giants Among the Philistines
“...Sippai, who was a descendant of the giants, was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite... Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed a huge man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot... These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”
Context:
This parallel to the previous passage highlights the ongoing presence of giants among Israel’s enemies, reinforcing the notion that the Nephilim legacy continued through the Philistines.
10. Jude 1:6 — Angels Who Abandoned Their Proper Dwelling
“And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
Context:
While not a direct reference to the Nephilim, this New Testament verse is often interpreted as alluding to the “sons of God” in Genesis 6—angels who left their domain and contributed to the birth of the Nephilim. This theme is echoed in other ancient Jewish writings and interpretations.