By Nab B.
August 8, 2023
Updated Oct 07, 2025
“The Nephilim (giants, kjv) were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”
(Genesis 6:4) ESV
Too many Christians have a strange and unhealthy fixation on the "hybrid human-demon race" known as the "Nephilim." We were warned that "Many deceivers have gone out into the world" (2 John 1:7) who, among other things, will exploit scriptural passages to spread false doctrines for personal gain.
To disprove this teaching, we will analyze the Scriptures in context to debunk man-made theories! Are you thinking of at least one of these questions? You're in good company if you do...
Who are the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:4?
Who are the "Nephilim?
Did some of them exist after the flood?
Were there really "Nephilim" hybrids in Canaan?
Are they human or a hybrid race?
What is the best proof that the "nephilim" were mere men?
I will now delve into answering these and hope to keep you captivated, by scriptural truth, not myth.
The belief that "sons of God" refers strictly to angels is not scripturally supported. Here are two arguments against it:
"Sons of God" can also apply to humans, as shown in these verses. (Ex 4:22-23; Deut 14:1; Jer 3:19).
"Sons of God" or "sons of elohim" could also mean "sons of the nobles and men of high rank." "Elohim" often meant mighty ones, as shown in these verses:
"I will bring judgment on all the gods [ Heb: elohim; mighty] of Egypt." (Ex 12:12)
"If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges [Heb: elohim]." (Ex 22:8)
"If one man sins against another, the judge [elohim] shall judge him." (1 Sam 2:25)
"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty [elohim]." (Psa 29:1)
The above texts prove that "sons of Elohim" can mean either "sons of God," or "sons of mighty ones".
It is problematic when a Bible translator leaves a word untranslated when it could be! The word "Nephilim" is left untranslated and even capitalized, to appear as a proper noun to support a "hybrid human-demon race" hypothesis.
Greek Lexicons indicate that the Hebrew word "nephilim" means "fallen ones" and not "giants". (See source: "Nephilim" #5303 in Strong’s Concordance ). Its root word is ‘Naphal’ #5307, which means "to fall".
Understandably, sometimes a word is left untranslated, for lack of an equivalent in modern languages. But this is clearly not the case with the word "Nephilim," which has a known equivalent.
“The Nephilim (giants, kjv) were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.” (Genesis 6:4 ESV)
The "nephilim" are NOT a hybrid human-demon race! They were tyrannical "fallen men". Their parents, "the sons of Elohim," took many wives to bear many children who became known as the "nephilim" or the "fallen ones". These, along with their "parents," spread wickedness, violence, and corruption on the earth, beyond what God could tolerate.
To whom did God attribute that problem? Pay attention to the text:
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5)
“The Lord regretted that he had made MAN on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Gen 6:6)
“God saw the earth...it was corrupt, for ALL FLESH had corrupted their way on the earth.” (Gen 6:12)
One would expect that if fallen angels were involved, the scriptures would have mentioned it. But there is none! The account clearly shows that God attributed that "great wickedness" to MAN, and not to fallen angels! Note the use of the keyword "MAN" in the text:
"Man's wickedness"
"Man's evil heart"
"Man's corruption"
Another undeniable evidence that the "nephilim" were humans is found in Genesis 6:4, which reads: "These [nephilim] were the mighty MEN who were of old, the MEN of renown". Twice, it refers to the "Nephilim" as "mighty men," and "men of renown". Is this not proof enough!
Those who believe the "nephilim" existed before the flood and after cite this passage as proof: “The nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward”? (Gen 6:4a)
We already proved by the scripture that the "nephilim" were mere men. As to the statement, "in those days, and also afterward," no one knows for sure what the writer had in mind! So, here are two plausible explanations:
The writer was contrasting a few nephilim "in those days" before the flood, with their rapid increase in numbers "afterward," up to the flood.
The writer was contrasting the characteristics of the pre-flood fallen men, with other fallen ones who built the Tower of Babel, who also vowed, “Let us make a name for ourselves.” (Genesis 11:4)
The phrase "make a name" (Gen 11:4) and "men of renown" (Gen 6:4) have the same meaning. They describe two societies before and after the flood that shared similar characteristics, but were different people.
Many Christians talk nonsense about a remaining human-demon hybrid race in Canaan! They base it on an exaggerated report of ten faithless spies, who fearfully said this:
“There we saw the giants [Heb., nephilim] the descendants of Anak (anak: neck, i.e taller than usual humans), and we were like grasshoppers (exaggeration) in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Num 13:33 NKJV)
In the above verse, most translations either kept the word "Nephilim" untranslated and capitalized or rendered it as "giants," (e.g. KJV, NKJV, WEB, NLT, bibles) instead of "fallen ones".
Let's analyze the circumstances. The ten spies felt they "were like grasshoppers" because, as nomadic desert dwellers, who lacked faith and courage (except for Caleb and Joshua), they thought they were no match for the Canaanites, some of whom were truly impressive city dwellers, very tall or "anak", well-built, and too powerful.
Ever wondered how the ten spies returned unharmed? It is because the Canaanites, though powerful, were just humans. How else could the spies enter an alleged demonic territory, encounter the "Nephilim," and still return with a bounty of food without a scratch on them?
Canaan's "Nephilim," were mere men who shared the same characteristics as their predecessors before flood. In fact, courageous Caleb, unlike the other ten, had a different view, adamantly pushing, "Let us go up AT ONCE and take possession, for we are WELL ABLE to overcome it." (Num 13:30 NKJV) Did you just hear Caleb? The man thought they were not just 'able,' but "well able" to overcome! So much for a 'giants human-demons hybrids' theory!
In fact, Joshua easily defeated them and “Cut off the Anakim from the hill country” (Josh 11:21). Surprisingly, there is no mention of any extraterrestrial encounters Joshua had to face!
Many believe that the "Nephilim" were part human and part demon! However, there is no evidence for this either in scripture or in nature! If God prevented the intermixing of earthly species, how much more so between humans and spirits!
Speaking of those to be resurrected, Jesus revealed, "They neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:30) The phrase, "like angels in heaven," confirms that spiritual beings could not cohabit with humans and procreate, proving the "Nephilim" were only humans.
In a comparison between the pre-flood society with people in the "last age," Jesus said, "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt 24:38-39) Was Jesus saying that the"human-demon hybrid race" would return? We already know he wouldn't buy into this theory! Jesus was pointing to the spirit of the antediluvian society that would increasingly characterize the last age with greater wickedness and more carnal pursuits, until the end of the age.
I wrote this article for those who seek scriptural truth about the "Nephilim" and hope to help end the obsession with this myth. Sadly, many professed Christians profit mainly by twisting scriptural passages, turning myth into reality, bringing them to life via books, movies, TV series, documentaries, and numerous interviews on Christian and secular networks!
The following not-to-be-taken-lightly warnings ought to disturb exploiters, fabricators, and false teachers who takes part in this:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matt 7:15)
"In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." (2 Pet 2:3 NIV)
"We are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit." (2 Cor 2:17 NLT)
It is true that "truth is stranger than fiction." But I will take liberty and add "truth is more exciting and lovelier than myths." Let us leave fables where they belong—outside—and embrace truth!
