Numbers 13 and the Nephelim

[darinhouston]

I have heard Steve on many occasions discuss the Nephelim in Genesis 6, but I'm not sure I've heard him discuss the reference in Numbers 13 (v27-33. I'm curious --

(1) wouldn't the flood have wiped them off the earth before the spies explored the Promised Land?
(2) what do we know about Anak?

[steve]

The lineage of the Anakim is unknown. Since they lived in Canaan, they may have been Canaanites (descended from Ham). However, the Philistines also lived in Palestine, and the Anakim remained in Philistine cities even after the conquest in Joshua's time. They may have been related to the Philistines, or had some other unrevealed lineage. In any case, they were descended from Noah's family (like everyone else, after the flood). They did not exist in Genesis 6.

As for the Nephilim, the story is similar. The word is unknown, except in the two passages in the Old Testament where it occurs. It does not seem that Nephilim would be a racial designation, since they were said to be around both before and after the flood. I am of the impression that "Nephilim" was just a term used for genetic giants, regardless of their parentage. Those in Numbers 13:32 were probably of the sons of Anak, since the latter were said to be giants. The Nephilim of Genesis 6:4 were apparently genetic giants as well, but their ancestry is unknown.

[darinhouston]

That makes sense -- a lexicon suggests the word nephilim derives from a word that means things such as "fallen" or "to cause to fall" or the like, so maybe it is a term like "terminator" or "dementor" or something that relates to their ability or tendency to crush others - just a thought. (maybe another reason people tend to relate them to fallen angels or the like).