The Nephilim (; ) are enigmatic figures mentioned in several passages of the Hebrew Bible and later Jewish and Christian literature. They are traditionally associated with extraordinary size, strength, or status, though the biblical texts provide only brief and ambiguous descriptions. The earliest reference appears in Genesis 6:1–4, where the Nephilim are linked to the “mighty men of old” and to the controversial episode involving the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”. Their identity, origin, and role in early biblical history have been the subject of extensive debate among scholars, theologians, and interpreters. Many suggested interpretations are based on the assumption that the word is a derivative of Hebrew verbal root () "fall". argued the word comes from the hif'il causative stem, possibly indicating that the name 'Nephilim' is to be understood as 'those that cause others to fall down'. Ronald Hendel states that it is a passive form: 'Ones who have fallen', grammatically analogous to 'one who is appointed' (i.e., a deputy or overseer), 'one who is bound' (i.e., a prisoner). It is also argued that the "fallen" refer to those who "fell in battle", similar to the gibborim.
The majority of ancient biblical translations – including the Septuagint, Theodotion, Latin Vulgate, Samaritan Targum, Targum Onkelos, and Targum Neofiti – interpret the word to mean "giants". Symmachus translates it as "the violent ones" and Aquila's translation has been interpreted to mean either "the fallen ones"