Lexical Summary Nephilim: Giants Original Word: נְפִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance giant Or nphil {nef-eel'}; from naphal; properly, a feller, i.e. A bully or tyrant -- giant. see HEBREW naphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naphal Definition "giants," name of two peoples, one before the flood and one after the flood NASB Translation Nephilim (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְפִלִים noun masculine plural giants, according to ᵐ5 γίγαντες so ᵑ6 ᵑ9; הַנְּפִלִים Genesis 6:4 (J), הַנְּפִילִים בְּנֵי עֲנָק מִןהַֿנְּפִלִים Numbers 13:33 (JE); ᵐ5 omit ׳בְּנֵי וגו, and so Di; these words perhaps doublet, but already in ⅏, also ᵑ9 (etymology dubious; compare Aramaic נִיפְלָא, נְפִילָא Orion; conjectures see in Thes Dion the passage; Tu Kn LenOr. i. 344, Eng. Tr. 345 f.; CheHebraica. iii (1887), 175, 176; all very precarious). Topical Lexicon Overview נְפִיל (Nephilim, singular נְפִיל) designates a race of formidable beings associated with extraordinary physical stature and fearful reputation. They appear briefly but memorably in the biblical record, framing both the moral collapse that preceded the Flood and the intimidating challenge that confronted Israel on the threshold of the Promised Land. Occurrences in Scripture • Genesis 6:4 – “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they bore them children. They were the mighty men of old, men of renown.” Historical and Cultural Background 1. Antediluvian Context: Genesis situates the Nephilim in the violent, corrupt world that precipitated the Flood. Their presence underscores the global reach of human sin and the need for divine judgment. Interpretive Perspectives 1. Angelic-Human Union View: Many early Jewish and Christian commentators linked “sons of God” (Genesis 6:2) to fallen angels. This reading regards the Nephilim as hybrid offspring, highlighting the gravity of spiritual rebellion. All three views agree on the core point: humanity’s transgression reached a climactic, global scale that demanded divine intervention. Theological Significance • Demonstration of Divine Sovereignty: The Flood narrative displays God’s power to restrain evil, regardless of its magnitude or physical manifestation. Application for Ministry 1. Spiritual Courage: Modern believers face cultural and ideological “giants.” The Nephilim motif reminds the Church that obstacles, however intimidating, cannot nullify God’s promises (Romans 8:31). Related Terms and Concepts • Anakim – later giant clan linked with Nephilim (Deuteronomy 9:2). Summary The Nephilim embody the extreme of human (and possibly supernatural) arrogance set against the majesty of God. From the Flood to the conquest of Canaan, their appearance brackets narratives in which divine judgment and deliverance move history toward redemption. Remembering their fate bolsters confidence that, in Christ, every towering foe will ultimately fall. Forms and Transliterations הַנְּפִילִ֛ים הַנְּפִלִ֑ים הַנְּפִלִ֞ים הנפילים הנפלים han·nə·p̄i·lîm han·nə·p̄î·lîm hannefiLim hannəp̄ilîm hannəp̄îlîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 6:4 HEB: הַנְּפִלִ֞ים הָי֣וּ בָאָרֶץ֮ NAS: The Nephilim were on the earth KJV: There were giants in the earth INT: the Nephilim were on the earth Numbers 13:33 Numbers 13:33 3 Occurrences |
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