Knowing God

Who Were the Nephilim?

The Nephilim were powerful or renowned people mentioned in Genesis 6 and Numbers 13. The Bible's description is brief, and some details about their exact identity remain uncertain.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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Biblical explanation

Genesis says: “There were giants in the earth in those days” (). The Hebrew term Nephilim is retained in many translations. They are mentioned in connection with the “sons of God” and “daughters of men” (). also uses the term when the Israelite spies describe the inhabitants of Canaan: “And there we saw the giants” (). The Hebrew word in Numbers is Nephilim. Some interpretations understand the Nephilim as unusually powerful human beings. Other interpretations connect them with the “sons of God” more directly. The Bible does not provide enough information to establish every detail of the Nephilim's nature. Claims that they were extraterrestrials, supernatural hybrids, or a separate species go beyond what Scripture explicitly states.

In brief

Genesis says: “There were giants in the earth in those days” ().

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.