Who were the Nephilim in the Bible?
The word Nephilim is found in the Bible two times. The first is in Genesis 6:1-6 and then again in Numbers 13:33. Scholars and commentators translate the word Nephilim as giants or fallen ones.
Who Are the Nephilim?
The Nephilim are "mighty men" described in the Old Testament as incredibly large and physically strong. They are the children of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of man." Nephilim is translated as giants in some versions of the Hebrew Bible but left untranslated in others.
The Nephilim 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)
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia regarding the Nephilim:
This word, translated "giants" in the King James Version, but retained in the Revised Version (British and American), is found in two passages of the Old Testament--one in Genesis 6:4, relating to the antediluvians; the other in Numbers 13:33, relating to the sons of Anak in Canaan. In the former place the Nephilim are not necessarily to be identified with the children said to be borne "the daughters of men" to "the sons of God" (Genesis 6:2-4); indeed, they seem to be distinguished from the latter as upon the earth before this unholy commingling took place. But it is not easy to be certain as to the interpretation of this strange passage. In the second case they clearly represent men of gigantic stature, in comparison with whom the Israelites felt as if they were "grasshopers." This agrees with Genesis 6:4, "the mighty men that were of old, the men of renow." Septuagint, therefore, was warranted in translating by gigantes.
Nephilim: Fallen Angels or Giants?
The word Nephilim is found in the Bible two times. The first is in Genesis 6:1-6 and then again in Numbers 13:33. Scholars and commentators translate the word Nephilim as giants or fallen ones. Even among the most brilliant, there is debate on translating this term.
One reason Nephilim is often translated as "fallen ones" is the relation to the Hebrew word “naphal” (to fall). One school of thought associates these beings with fallen angels or their offspring.
Genesis 6:1-6 never states that the Nephilim were giants, but it does say they were "mighty men who were of old, the men of renown." The verse that clues us into them being giants is Numbers 13:33, which states, "and there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” Here Scripture indicates they were possibly giants, men much larger and stronger than usual.
No one really knows exactly who or what the Nephilim were; however, Scripture gives us clues about who the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" were (Genesis 6:1-4).
Who Are the Nephilim? 4 Different Theories.." from the article: Who were the Nephilim in the Bible?
Nephilim in the Bible - Dr. Taylor Marshall
Video from Dr Taylor Marshall
Michael Heiser — On the Spirits of Pre-flood Giants
Video from Houseform Apologetics
Dr. Heiser elaborates on the Biblical connection to 2nd Temple period literature involving the origins of pre-flood giants / demons. Information you'll come across when studying Angelology and Demonology.
Michael Heiser — The Nephilim In Light Of The New Testament
Video from Houseform Apologetics
The Nephilim bloodlines died out according to scripture—for the traditional MT texts, this would be around the time of David. The LXX has the Nephilim, Anakim specifically, dying out a little later, during the prophetic era, the era of the divided monarchy—around as long as the days of Jeremiah. There is no scriptural basis for a continuing Nephilim bloodline beyond the points that they were judged in the OT. Matthew 24 is the chapter people will bring up—however, there are two fundamental problems with a re-emerging nephilim bloodline idea: (1) If Matthew really wanted to take our minds back to Genesis 6—what he would do is the same thing he does dozens of other places and what the NT writers do hundreds of other places—they would quote part of the Greek OT, the LXX. If you look at the Greek of Matthew 24, like the terms marrying and given in marriage, does any of that show up in Genesis 6? The answer is no, not a single word of it. (2) Next, if you look at the entire passage, there are at least four points of description for as were the days of Noah (cf. Matthew 24:37–38).
Counterpoint
What are the Nephilim?
"The Nephilim are mentioned in Genesis 6. They are often identified with the Anakim of Numbers 13:33 and the Rephaim of Deut. 2:20. Let’s take a look.
“Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown,” (Gen. 6:1-4).
“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight,” (Numbers 13:33).
The word “Nephilim” is the untranslated pronunciation of the Hebrew נְפִילִים. It means giants and was translated in the Septuagint into the Greek γίγαντες, gigantes. The word is found in only two places, Genesis 6:4 (pre-flood) and Numbers 13:33 (post-flood).." from the article: What are the Nephilim?