Who were the Nephilim in Genesis 6? Explore the three main views and what this strange Bible passage reveals about power, corruption, and God’s warning.
As far as the post-flood Nephilim theories, I am leaning most towards A: Angelic Incursion. In Genesis 19, Lot protected the angels that were visiting him from a mob that wanted to rape them.
I mean, its interesting poetic language but its kinda foolish to assume they were literally as small as grasshoppers in comparison to the sons of Anak 🤷♂️ we see actual heights of some “giants” mentioned and they are 7-10ft tall, now 50 or 100 feet
Thank you for this careful analysis. We studied Jude a few months ago in my Bible study, and I only knew the first two explanations, but your succinct description of them was so much better AND with the kings theory. Thanks! The question was asked, of course, how the Nephilim reappeared. I couldn’t answer that.
My only regret with this article is that I couldn’t read the chart in the iPhone app! (Maybe it’s a good enough excuse to buy an iPad?) Just sayin’ that it would be nice to have the chart info written in paragraph form as well.
Aruba is called the island of giants, or it was at some point. Great article I love the balance. Working my way through genesis. Thought it would have taken less time
I followed Dr. Heiser for years and read much, if not all, of his work. I tend to gravitate toward his interpretation, especially in light of my limited but growing understanding of the ANE context. This is a great article and I appreciate you taking the time required to put it together in such an accessible format!
Thank you for this clear outline of the multiple views.
I appreciate the Sethite view, especially Stephen Dempster's take on it.
You mentioned that " Throughout the Old Testament, God refers to his chosen people as His sons."
But actually, in the previous chapter, in the very flow of the narrative, God calls humans his Sons and Daughters, and connects this title with the meaning of the Image of God itself:
Gen 5
When God created humans (הָֽאָדָ֔ם), he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” (הָֽאָדָ֔ם) when they were created.
3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a SON in his own LIKENESS, in his own IMAGE; and he named him Seth.
Then....
Gen 6
When human (הָֽאָדָ֔ם) beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the SONS OF GOD saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with[a] humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
I am really loving this approach with the different views represented.
Thanks man!
As far as the post-flood Nephilim theories, I am leaning most towards A: Angelic Incursion. In Genesis 19, Lot protected the angels that were visiting him from a mob that wanted to rape them.
I've always been fascinated with Numbers 13:33 and the comparison of the spies to grasshoppers in their prescenses.
Same.
I mean, its interesting poetic language but its kinda foolish to assume they were literally as small as grasshoppers in comparison to the sons of Anak 🤷♂️ we see actual heights of some “giants” mentioned and they are 7-10ft tall, now 50 or 100 feet
I don't take the grasshopper language as literal. I think it is a wonderful example of the impact of fear on our lives.
https://operationmustardseed.substack.com/p/grasshopper-virus
Thank you for this careful analysis. We studied Jude a few months ago in my Bible study, and I only knew the first two explanations, but your succinct description of them was so much better AND with the kings theory. Thanks! The question was asked, of course, how the Nephilim reappeared. I couldn’t answer that.
My only regret with this article is that I couldn’t read the chart in the iPhone app! (Maybe it’s a good enough excuse to buy an iPad?) Just sayin’ that it would be nice to have the chart info written in paragraph form as well.
I mean I am big fan of using my IPad (not a paid comment) 🤣🤣🤣
Aruba is called the island of giants, or it was at some point. Great article I love the balance. Working my way through genesis. Thought it would have taken less time
I didn’t know that about Aruba, thats fascinating thanks for sharing.
I followed Dr. Heiser for years and read much, if not all, of his work. I tend to gravitate toward his interpretation, especially in light of my limited but growing understanding of the ANE context. This is a great article and I appreciate you taking the time required to put it together in such an accessible format!
Thank you for this clear outline of the multiple views.
I appreciate the Sethite view, especially Stephen Dempster's take on it.
You mentioned that " Throughout the Old Testament, God refers to his chosen people as His sons."
But actually, in the previous chapter, in the very flow of the narrative, God calls humans his Sons and Daughters, and connects this title with the meaning of the Image of God itself:
Gen 5
When God created humans (הָֽאָדָ֔ם), he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” (הָֽאָדָ֔ם) when they were created.
3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a SON in his own LIKENESS, in his own IMAGE; and he named him Seth.
Then....
Gen 6
When human (הָֽאָדָ֔ם) beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the SONS OF GOD saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with[a] humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”