Are There Descendants of the Nephilim in the World Today?
A Biblical Investigation of Post-Flood Giant Lineages and the Legacy of the Genesis 6 Rebellion
I. Introduction: Defining the Nephilim
The term Nephilim (Hebrew: nᵉphîlîm, “fallen ones”) is first found in Genesis 6:4 and later referenced in Numbers 13:33. These beings were the offspring of fallen angels and human women, according to a literal and consistent reading of Genesis 6:1–4. They were physical giants, described as “mighty men of old, men of renown.” These beings were not ordinary humans; they were hybrid creatures resulting from a direct violation of God’s created order.
“There were giants 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.”
— Genesis 6:4, New King James Version
This passage reveals three crucial facts:
The Nephilim were present before the flood.
They were the offspring of angelic-human unions.
A similar category of beings appeared “also afterward”, suggesting a possible repetition or genetic continuation.
II. Were the Original Nephilim Destroyed in the Flood?
Yes. The global flood of Genesis 7 was sent by God specifically to wipe out the corrupt and violent civilization that had been polluted by the Nephilim.
“So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast… for I am sorry that I have made them.’”
— Genesis 6:7, New King James Version
“And all flesh died that moved on the earth… all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died.”
— Genesis 7:21–22, New King James Version
The physical Nephilim perished. However, Genesis 6:4 carefully notes that similar beings appeared “also afterward.” That phrase opens the door for a second incursion or the survival of corrupted genetic material through the wives of Noah’s sons.
III. The Post-Flood Giants: Are They the Same as the Nephilim?
The second mention of “Nephilim” appears during the spying of Canaan:
“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
— Numbers 13:33, New King James Version
Here the Anakim are said to be descended from the Nephilim, suggesting either:
A renewed angelic incursion after the flood (not recorded explicitly),
Or that the Nephilim bloodline persisted genetically through the flood.
The latter is the more textually conservative view. Noah himself was “perfect in his generations” (Genesis 6:9), but the wives of his sons are not described that way. It is possible that genetic corruption entered through them, resulting in post-flood tribes of giants.
IV. Biblical Tribes Connected to Giant Lineages
Numerous Canaanite groups are associated with giant stature:
Anakim (Deuteronomy 9:1–2) – “a people great and tall”
Rephaim (Deuteronomy 2:20–21) – “a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim”
Emim and Zamzummim (Deuteronomy 2:10–11)
Og, king of Bashan, the last of the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:11)
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead… nine cubits in length and four cubits in width…”
— Deuteronomy 3:11, New King James Version
These were not simply tall men—they were feared for their strength and military power. Yet they were still mortal and destroyed by Israel under divine command (Joshua 11:21–22).
V. What About Today? Do the Descendants Still Exist?
From a biblical and historical standpoint:
These giant clans were mostly annihilated during the conquest of Canaan.
The last references to them are in David’s day (e.g., Goliath of Gath, 1 Samuel 17).
There is no direct evidence in Scripture that any Nephilim or Rephaim bloodline has survived in recognizable form into modern times.
That said, it is biologically possible that remnant genetic material could have persisted in untraceable ways. Just as there are likely living descendants of Moabites, Amalekites, or Babylonians, there may also be descendants of Anakim or Rephaim—but they would no longer be distinguishable.
Importantly, Scripture does not suggest that any Nephilim bloodline survives today in a hybrid or supernatural form.
VI. Common Modern Misinterpretations
Modern speculation—fueled by pseudoscience, fringe theology, and conspiracy theories—often claims:
Nephilim live among us in secret
They rule governments or control elites
They are part of alien-human hybrids or transhumanist agendas
These ideas are:
Not found in Scripture
Speculative at best, and
Unhelpful distractions from biblical doctrine
Christians must guard against Gnostic-style secret knowledge and sensationalism. The focus of Scripture is redemption through Christ, not decoding alleged Nephilim genetics in public figures.
VII. Summary and Theological Conclusions
The original Nephilim were destroyed in the flood.
A post-flood resurgence of giants occurred—likely through corrupted human genetics.
These giant clans were judged and eradicated by Israel under God’s direction.
There is no biblical evidence for Nephilim or their direct descendants existing today.
All speculation must be submitted to Scripture alone—not apocryphal writings, tradition, or fringe science.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…”
— Deuteronomy 29:29, New King James Version
Final Word
While giants once walked the earth, their time ended under God’s judgment. Today, the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). The believer’s focus should remain on the gospel, not myths.
