Increasing Noah’s need for courage was the fact that the union of disobedient angels and women produced a race of Nephilim. In Hebrew, this term is believed to mean “fellers,” or, “those who cause others to fall down.” Otherwise called “mighty ones,” these Nephilim were hybrid tyrants, or bullies, who added to the violence rampant in that pre-Flood world.​—Gen. 6:4.

Amid such circumstances, Noah distinguished himself not only as the ark builder but as “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Pet. 2:5) Yes, he had the courage to speak up and tell his contemporaries that God had purposed to bring destruction upon the wicked in an earth-wide flood. Noah’s preaching of righteousness evidently included a call to repentance and a warning of coming destruction, for Jesus Christ mentioned those days and said that the people “took no note until the flood came and swept them all away.”​—Matt. 24:37-39.

But reflect briefly on the circumstances of Noah and his family in that pre-Flood period. Doubtless they were the objects of ridicule from men, women and children. Add to that the probable taunts of the Nephilim, apparently giants noted for violence.

At God’s due time, the Flood took place, and all the ridiculers and opposers were removed. Ungodly humans perished in the floodwaters, as did the Nephilim.