Nephilim

[Sora]

I'm confused about who the Nephilim were. It says at the end of Parsha Bereishis that "the Nephilim were on the earth in those days," and we know from the story of the flood that everything alive was killed except for those that were aboard Noah's ark.

As I read the commentary on my Chumash, it says that the Nephilim were giants - the same race that terrified Moses' spies. But how can that be if all of the Nephilim were killed off in the flood? 

Can anyone explain this apparent inconsistency to me?

[papabear]

Sora, I really wish one of the rabbis or scholars would jump on this! I have wondered about this most of my life...not just the point you're making, but why they were here in the first place. What is their significance to the story?

Rabbi Chaim Coffman would be a good one I think, and I believe he mentioned signing up. I don't know if he has yet though.

[Kevin]

I would like to know more about this as well. Possible Tenak Talk episode about this topic? Hopefully!