The Nephilim are mysterious beings or people in the Hebrew Bible who are described as being large and strong. The Hebrew word Nephilim means "giants"; some understand it to mean "the fallen ones" but this is a misunderstanding of the Hebrew. Their origins are disputed. Some, including the author of the Book of Enoch, view them as offspring of fallen angels and humans. Others view them as offspring of the descendants of Seth and Cain.
The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Hieronymus Bosch, based on Genesis 6:1–4
The Sons of God Saw the Daughters of Men That They Were Fair, sculpture by Daniel Chester French
In folklore, giants are beings of humanoid appearance, but are at times prodigious in size and strength or bear an otherwise notable appearance. The word giant is first attested in 1297 from Robert of Gloucester's chronicle. It is derived from the Gigantes of Greek mythology.
The giants Fafner and Fasolt seize Freyja in Arthur Rackham's illustration of Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Giants Mata and Grifone celebrated in Messina in August, Sicily, Italy
David faces Goliath in this 1888 lithograph by Osmar Schindler
Heracles faces the giant Antaios in this illustration on a calix krater, c. 515–510 BC.