The Nature Of The Nephilim (genesis 6)
Research by Beyonddennis
The book of Genesis, particularly chapter 6, introduces a deeply enigmatic and debated passage that speaks of "the Nephilim." These verses, found just before the biblical account of the Great Flood, describe a peculiar interaction between "sons of God" and "daughters of men," leading to the birth of these mysterious beings. The nature of the Nephilim and the entities involved in their genesis has been a subject of intense theological, scholarly, and even popular discussion for centuries. This exploration by Beyonddennis delves into the various interpretations and implications of this pivotal biblical passage.
Unveiling Genesis 6:1-4
Genesis 6:1-4 reads: "When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.' The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown." This brief but profound passage sets the stage for God's decision to bring the Flood, linking the widespread wickedness to these unions and their offspring. The term "Nephilim" itself comes from the Hebrew word "naphal," often translated as "to fall" or "fallen ones," which contributes to the mystery surrounding their identity.
Who Were the "Sons of God"?
The identity of the "sons of God" (Hebrew: b'nei ha'elohim) is perhaps the most contentious aspect of this passage, driving the various theories about the Nephilim. There are three primary interpretations:
1. The Fallen Angels Theory
This is arguably the oldest and most widespread interpretation, particularly prevalent in ancient Judaism (including the Book of Enoch) and among early Church Fathers. This view posits that the "sons of God" were rebellious angels who descended to Earth and had sexual intercourse with human women, resulting in the Nephilim. Support for this theory often points to other Old Testament passages, such as Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7, where the phrase "sons of God" explicitly refers to angelic beings. The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, also translates "sons of God" in Genesis 6:2 as "the angels of God" in some manuscripts.
Critics of this view often cite Matthew 22:30, where Jesus states that "at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." However, proponents argue that this refers to righteous angels in heaven, not fallen angels who have rebelled against God's order and abandoned their proper dwelling. It is suggested that these fallen entities were capable of taking on physical form and even replicating human sexuality, though such an act was a profound transgression. This theory often suggests a motive for the fallen angels: to corrupt the human lineage and prevent the coming of the Messiah. The Book of Enoch provides a detailed narrative of these "Watchers" (angels) and their offspring, the giants, whose actions led to widespread corruption and violence, ultimately prompting the Flood.
2. The Sethite Theory
This interpretation, popular among some Church Fathers like Augustine and later Reformers, suggests that the "sons of God" were the godly descendants of Seth, Adam's third son. According to this view, the "daughters of men" were the ungodly descendants of Cain. The sin, therefore, was the intermarriage between the righteous line of Seth and the wicked line of Cain, leading to moral decline and the corruption of humanity. This theory emphasizes the distinction between the two genealogies presented in Genesis 4 and 5.
A challenge to the Sethite view is explaining why the union of ordinary humans would produce "giants" or "mighty men of renown" that specifically provoked such a drastic judgment as the global Flood. Furthermore, the phrase "sons of God" is not explicitly used for the Sethites elsewhere in the Bible, and some argue that the "daughters of men" refers to women in general, not exclusively Cainite women.
3. The Human Rulers/Nobles Theory
A less common, but still debated, interpretation is that the "sons of God" refer to powerful human rulers, kings, or nobles who practiced polygamy and engaged in oppressive behavior. In this view, the "daughters of men" could be common women, and the Nephilim were the powerful, tyrannical offspring of these illicit unions. This aligns with ancient Near Eastern concepts where kings were sometimes referred to as "sons of gods" or divinely appointed. The sin here would be the abuse of power, promiscuity, and the creation of a violent, oppressive society. However, this view also struggles to fully account for the unique description of the Nephilim as "giants" or "men of renown" in a way that distinguishes them sufficiently from other powerful human figures.
The "Daughters of Men"
Regardless of the interpretation of the "sons of God," the "daughters of men" are generally understood to be human women. The text simply states that the "sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose." This act, characterized by unrestrained desire and disregard for divine or social order, contributes to the overall picture of escalating wickedness before the Flood.
The Nature of the Nephilim
The Nephilim themselves are described in Genesis 6:4 as "mighty men that were of old, the men of renown." The King James Version translates "Nephilim" as "giants," a common interpretation. While the exact height is not given in Genesis, the association with "giants" (Hebrew: gibborim) is echoed in other texts. In Numbers 13:33, the Israelite spies report seeing Nephilim in Canaan, describing them as so large that the Israelites felt like "grasshoppers" in comparison. This later reference, despite the Flood, suggests a continued presence or reappearance of such figures.
The term "men of renown" or "men of the name" implies that these individuals achieved great fame or notoriety, possibly through their strength, power, or even violence. Some scholars suggest it could mean "those who cause others to fall down" or "fallen warriors." The description points to a generation of powerful, perhaps oppressive, figures whose existence further contributed to the extreme corruption and violence that characterized the pre-Flood world. The presence of the Nephilim is presented as a symptom or outcome of the perverse unions, contributing to the context for God's judgment.
The Nephilim and the Flood
The Genesis account immediately follows the mention of the Nephilim with God's pronouncement of judgment due to the rampant wickedness and violence on Earth. "The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5). While Genesis 6:4 doesn't explicitly state that the Nephilim were the direct cause of the Flood, their existence is intrinsically linked to the escalating sinfulness that necessitated divine intervention. If they were the hybrid offspring of fallen angels, their very existence would represent a profound defilement of creation. If they were human tyrants, their oppressive rule would have filled the earth with violence. In either case, they represent a significant aspect of the moral decay that led to the Flood.
Post-Flood Nephilim
A significant puzzle for all interpretations is the mention of Nephilim "after that" (after the Flood) in Genesis 6:4, and again in Numbers 13:33. If the Flood wiped out all life outside Noah's ark, how could Nephilim reappear?
Several theories attempt to reconcile this:
- Renewed Incursions: If the "sons of God" were fallen angels, it's possible that a second "incursion" or series of interactions with human women occurred after the Flood. This would imply that not all fallen angels were imprisoned at the time of the first event, or that a new group committed the same transgression.
- "Giant DNA" in Noah's Family: Some speculate that "giant DNA" might have been carried across the Flood within Noah's family, perhaps through one of his daughters-in-law, though the Bible states Noah was "blameless in his generations."
- Figurative or Generic Term: Another view suggests that "Nephilim" in Numbers 13:33 might be a generic term for large, formidable people or groups, like the Anakim (Rephaim), rather than a direct genetic lineage from the pre-Flood Nephilim. The spies in Numbers 13:33 might have used the term "Nephilim" to emphasize the imposing size and strength of the Anakites, connecting them conceptually to the fearsome "giants" of old. This perspective sees the post-Flood "giants" as distinct groups, often referred to as Rephaim, Anakim, and others, who posed a threat to Israel.
The Ongoing Debate and Its Significance
The nature of the Nephilim remains a topic of considerable debate, with no single interpretation definitively accepted by all scholars. The ambiguity of Genesis 6:4 itself contributes to the varied understandings. However, regardless of the specific identity of the "sons of God" or the precise nature of the Nephilim, the passage serves a crucial theological purpose within the biblical narrative. It highlights the rapid escalation of human wickedness, the blurring of boundaries between divine and human realms (whether through literal angelic intervention or severe moral decay within humanity), and the profound corruption that necessitated God's catastrophic judgment through the Flood. The story underscores God's holiness and His ultimate authority over creation, demonstrating that unchecked evil will not be tolerated.
The Nephilim represent a mysterious chapter in early human history, forcing us to grapple with profound questions about the nature of evil, divine justice, and the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms. While the specifics remain elusive, their story profoundly impacts our understanding of the pre-Flood world and the reasons for its demise.
This article represents research and insights by Beyonddennis.