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The Nephilim appeared on earth in those days, as well as later,[a] after the sons of God had intercourse with the daughters of human beings, who bore them sons. They were the heroes of old, the men of renown.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 6:4 As well as later: the belief was common that human beings of gigantic stature once lived on earth. In some cultures, such heroes could make positive contributions, but the Bible generally regards them in a negative light (cf. Nm 13:33; Ez 32:27). The point here is that even these heroes, filled with vitality from their semi-divine origin, come under God’s decree in v. 3.

For of old, when the proud giants were being destroyed,
    the hope of the universe, who took refuge on a raft,[a]
    left to the world a future for the human family, under the guidance of your hand.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:6 Noah.

He did not forgive the princes of old[a]
    who rebelled long ago in their might.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:7 The princes of old: e.g., the mighty destroyed in the flood (Gn 6:1–4; Wis 14:6; Bar 3:26–28), as well as the king of Babylon (Is 14:4–21) and Nebuchadnezzar (Dn 4:7–30).