Monday, 25 March 2024

In Genesis 6:4, how should נְפִילִיים be translated?

 In Genesis 6:4, the Hebrew word "נְפִילִים" (Nephilim) is often translated as "giants" or "mighty ones." However, the exact meaning of the term is subject to debate among scholars, and various translations have been proposed. The word "Nephilim" appears only a few times in the Hebrew Bible, and its precise etymology and significance are uncertain.

Some interpretations understand the Nephilim as a race of giants or beings of great stature, possibly related to the offspring of the union between the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" mentioned in Genesis 6:2. Others suggest that the term may refer to powerful or mighty individuals rather than literal giants.

Therefore, translations of "נְפִילִים" in Genesis 6:4 may vary depending on the interpretive approach taken by the translator or the translation philosophy adopted for the particular version of the Bible. Some translations may render it as "giants," while others may use alternative terms such as "mighty ones," "heroes," or "men of renown."


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