Was Goliath One of the Nephilim?

A Biblical Evaluation of Giant Lineages in Light of Genesis 6

I. Introduction: Who Were the Nephilim?

The Nephilim are first introduced in Genesis 6:1–4 as the unnatural offspring of fallen angels (bene ha’elohim, "sons of God") and human women (daughters of men). The result of this unholy union was a race of giants, described as:

“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

The Hebrew word for “giants” is Nephilim, meaning “fallen ones.” These beings were corrupted hybrids, neither fully angelic nor fully human, and their presence on the earth prompted divine judgment in the form of the flood (Genesis 6:5–7).

II. Were the Nephilim Destroyed in the Flood?

Yes. The flood narrative makes it clear that all of the Nephilim alive before the flood perished in it:

“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

However, Genesis 6:4 contains an important clause:

“There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward…”

This opens the possibility that giants reappeared after the flood, either by:

• A second angelic incursion (not recorded explicitly), or

• Genetic transmission through the wives of Noah’s sons.

III. The Rephaim, Anakim, and Philistine Giants

The post-flood giants are referred to in Scripture under several tribal names:

• Rephaim (Deuteronomy 2:20–21)

• Anakim (Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 9:2)

• Zamzummim, Emim, and Zuzim (Genesis 14:5; Deuteronomy 2:10–11)

These were physically large, mighty warriors. Many were eliminated during the conquest under Joshua:

“And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains… None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.”
— Joshua 11:21–22, New King James Version

This is key: the remnant of giants survived only in Philistine strongholds, particularly Gath—which is where Goliath was from.

IV. Who Was Goliath?

“A champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”
— 1 Samuel 17:4, New King James Version

That measurement is approximately 9 feet 9 inches (2.97 meters).

Goliath’s description is detailed and emphasizes his height, armor weight, and military skill:

• Bronze coat weighing 5,000 shekels (~125 pounds)

• Iron spearhead weighing 600 shekels (~15 pounds)

• Spear shaft “like a weaver’s beam” (suggesting large thickness and strength)

Goliath was a genetic giant, descended from a line of Philistine giants originating in Rapha (or Raphah, the progenitor of the Rephaim):

“Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant [Rapha]… sought to kill David.”
— 2 Samuel 21:16, New King James Version

“These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”
— 2 Samuel 21:22, New King James Version

This includes:

• Goliath of Gath

• His brother (1 Chronicles 20:5)

• A six-fingered man with 24 digits total (2 Samuel 21:20)

These are all described as descendants of Rapha, a term linked to Rephaim—a broader race of post-flood giants.

V. Was Goliath a Nephilim?

Technically: No

• The term “Nephilim” is never directly applied to Goliath or the Philistine giants.

• The original Nephilim were pre-flood hybrids, and Goliath was born post-flood.

Contextually: Possibly connected

• Goliath was a descendant of the Rephaim, a people group often associated with post-flood giants.

• In Numbers 13:33, the spies describe the Anakim as descending from the Nephilim:

  “We saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight…”
  — Numbers 13:33, New King James Version

• Since the Anakim were destroyed except in Gath (Joshua 11:22), and Goliath was from Gath, the connection is genealogically plausible, though not explicitly stated.

Thus, Goliath was not a Nephilim by name, but very likely a descendant of the same corrupted bloodline—particularly through Rapha and the Rephaim.

VI. Why It Matters: Theological and Prophetic Implications

1. The giants were consistently enemies of God’s people.

2. Their destruction is a type of God’s ultimate triumph over evil and corruption.

3. David’s victory over Goliath shows that faith and obedience defeat even the most physically terrifying threats.

4. The connection to Nephilim highlights Satan’s ongoing strategy to corrupt the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword… but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…’”
— 1 Samuel 17:45, New King James Version

VII. Conclusion

• Goliath was not a Nephilim in the technical Genesis 6 sense, but he was a descendant of Rapha, who was part of the Rephaim, connected with the post-flood giant clans.

• He likely carried genetic remnants of Nephilim blood, as did his brothers and fellow giants in Gath.

• He represented one of the final expressions of that corrupted line, ultimately brought down by a young shepherd with faith in the living God.