OET interlinear GEN 6:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-transliterate

הַ⁠נְּפִלִ֞ים

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Most translations transliterate (borrow or copy) the Hebrew word Nephilim here, treating it as a name. The word means “fallen ones” and probably refers to their fallen (sinful) spiritual state. The Nephilim were the descendants of the sons of God and the daughters of mankind. The only other time in the Bible that the Nephilim are mentioned is centuries later in [Numbers 13:32–33](../../num/13/32.md), where they are identified as evil giants. Based on that, some translations translate “the Nephilim” as “giants” here in Genesis [6:4](../06/04.md). Alternate translation: [Giants called the Nephilim] or [Giants]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵם֒ וְ⁠גַ֣ם אַֽחֲרֵי

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

It may be more natural to put this time phrase first in [verse 4](../06/04.md) and say, “During that time there were Nephilim living on the earth, when …”

כֵ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר

so (Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Alternate translation: [That was when]

בְּנֵ֤י הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Be consistent here with how you translated this phrase in verse [6:2](../06/02.md), and see the important note about that there. Alternate translation: [angels] or [supernatural beings]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

יָבֹ֜אוּ & אֶל

they_went & to/towards

Translate this common expression in a way that is polite and will not shame or embarrass people when this verse is read aloud in public. See how you translated a similar expression knew in Genesis [4:1](../04/01.md), [4:17](../04/17.md) and [4:25](../04/25.md). Alternate translation: [slept with] or [had sexual relations with]

בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽ⁠אָדָ֔ם

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

See how you translated this phrase in verse [6:2](../06/02.md). Alternate translation: [human women]

Note 4 topic: writing-pronouns

הֵ֧מָּה

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to here. Alternate translation: [Those children grew up and were the Nephilim, who were]

הַ⁠גִּבֹּרִ֛ים

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Alternate translation: [the powerful men] or [heroes]

אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵ⁠עוֹלָ֖ם

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

Alternate translation: [who lived a long time ago] or [who lived many years ago]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַ⁠שֵּֽׁם

(Some words not found in UHB: the=Nefilim/Nephilim they_were in/on_the=earth in_the=days the=those and=also after so which/who they_went sons_of the=ʼElohīm to/towards daughters_of the=humankind and=they_gave_birth to/for=them they(emph) the=powerful/mighty(pl) which/who from=long_ago/eternity men_of the=name )

For some languages it may be more natural to put this phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “They were the mighty men of renown who were from long ago.” or “They were the famous mighty men who lived a long time ago.” Alternate translation: [who were famous men]