Appendix 5
Nephilim[1]
In Genesis 6:4 we are introduced to a new word, ‘Nephilim’,[2] transliterated from the Hebrew ‘nepî·lîm’, it is always found in the plural. We should begin this review with the fact that there are several Hebrew words found in the Bible that are not fully understood or known with absolute confidence of their meanings. This word is one of those words and it is often the subject of great debate, and we will see why here shortly. Many translations use the word ‘giants’ (KJV, NKJV), as it is translated from the Greek in the Septuagint. However, many Hebrew scholars now think that the etymology of the word is not based on the word ‘nāpal’, from the word ‘nēpel’[3] (meaning ‘untimely birth’, see Job 3:16), but ‘nāpal’[4] meaning “to fall” or “be cast down,” and should be used as a noun referring to a unique group of people. However, these people do in fact actually appear to be giants! So, who are they? The text tells us that they are the offspring of the union of the “sons of God” (the Hebrew phrase “benê’ ělō·hîm’,” in the Old Testament always refers to angels, being direct creations of God, see Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) and the “daughters of man” (human females). Perhaps a better question would be, what are they? What type of hybrid do you get in that unholy union? Would they still be human? Moses helps us out a little, since he had encountered some many generations later. He added the comment “and also afterward,” he encountered them on their way to the Promised Land and knew them by their tribal names ‘Anakim’ and ‘Rephaim’ (see Numbers 13:31-33; Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10-21, 3:11, 9:2; see also Joshua 11:21-22, 14:12-15; Amos 2:9 and 2 Samuel 21:15-22). Do you remember why the Israelites were not allowed to enter the land and had to remain in the desert until that generation has passed away? Because ten of the twelve people that God sent in to spy the land were afraid of the giants. Not trusting God has consequences. Even though the Philistines were not considered descendants of the Nephilim, the Anakim lived in Gath, where Goliath was born (see Joshua 11:22 and 1 Samuel 17:4), this could help explain the size of Goliath.
The text calls these Nephilim, mighty men and men of renown. The term “mighty men” comes from the Hebrew word ‘gib·bō·rîm’[5] meaning strong and mighty and the phrase “men of renown” comes from the Hebrew words “‘ǎn·šê’ hǎ šēm’,” referring to males who are famous or have a reputation. None of the words imply that these individuals are necessarily human, just mighty and everyone knew about them. The word that is translated as ‘old’ is the Hebrew word ‘ô·lām’,[6] referring to a long duration or everlasting, some have defined it as “continuous existence.”
Okay, let’s be honest, you are undoubtedly ready to stop reading (if you haven’t already), hoping for a more realistic explanation! You’re probably thinking, enough of this mythology stuff! True, there is a lot that we do not know, but this is not ‘made up’ fiction. One thing you should know by now is that Satan will do just about anything to stop the advancement of God’s plan for salvation, including the unspeakable.
The subject of the Nephilim is possibly the weirdest and most unbelievable story of the Bible. It just seems so outrageous that it feels like a Hollywood horror story or, at minimum, a bad science fiction premise. But, whoever, or whatever they were, God was not going to let them continue. If they only existed prior to the worldwide flood, one could understand why we don’t see any of their remains, but we know that Satan tried this again later in an attempt to keep the Israelites out of the Promised Land. So where is the evidence? There have been many discoveries of giant skeletons from all around the world, some more credible than others; it is unfortunate that there are so many frauds. Advice to those that desire to fake evidence to support the Bible: Stop! If they are to be revealed, God will reveal evidence at the time He chooses; lying to the public is not, in any situation, God pleasing.
While we are on the subject of things being weird, have you ever wondered about demons? What are they? Some believe that they are the fallen angels and that is undoubtedly true. But there are some questions that remain, such as, why do some seek embodiment? Do you remember the story of the demons pleading with Jesus to enter a herd of pigs (see Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-21; Luke 8:26-39)? Why did they plead? Is there something different between a fallen angel and a demon? Perhaps, but if that is true where did they come from? God certainly would not have created disembodied spirits to to make their homes in people, right? Here’s a wild idea that is strictly speculation (that means it is only a guess and it’s a weird one at that), if the Nephilim were a hybrid of human and angel, what happens when they die? The physical body of a human is perishable, not immortal at this point, so the Nephilim body would also probably die. But what about their angel component, could their ‘spirit’ live on without a body? Could demons be the result of the Nephilim that died? Just something to consider.
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[1] Adapted from author’s book, “Everything a Christian Should Know About the Torah A Commentary on the First Five Books of the Bible.”
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 5303.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 5309.
[4] Strong’s Hebrew 5307.
[5] Strong’s Hebrew 1368.
[6] Strong’s Hebrew 5769.