Genesis 6:4 Meaning and Explanation
“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The union of divine beings and human women produced giants—mighty, famous figures.
The Context of Genesis 6:4
The offspring of divine-human unions become giants and renowned figures.
What Does Genesis 6:4 Mean?
The offspring of divine-human unions were not ordinary: they became nephilim (giants) and mighty men of renown. These figures are described as powerful and famous 'of old'—suggesting they held a notable place in human memory and cultural tradition. Their existence is presented as fact, not speculation, and their fame is established as part of ancient record.
The verse acknowledges this occurred both before the flood ('in those days') and after it ('also after that'). The focus is not on their moral status but their physical and social reality: they were giants, they were mighty, they were known. This prepares the reader for why divine-human mixture would become a concern in the flood narrative itself.
Genesis 6:4 in the Original Language
nephilim (נְפִילִים), 'giants' — possibly 'the fallen ones' (from naphal, to fall); beings of significant stature and power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 6:4
What does Genesis 6:4 mean?
The union of divine beings and human women produced giants—mighty, famous figures.
What is the context of Genesis 6:4?
The offspring of divine-human unions become giants and renowned figures.