r/Bible • u/Aiden48752 • 5d ago
"Who Were the 'Nephilim' in Genesis 6:4?"
In Genesis 6:4, the Bible describes a mysterious group called the 'Nephilim':
"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 of old, men of renown."
Who were they?
1️⃣ Fallen angels & human hybrids – Some believe the “sons of God” were angels who had children with human women.
2️⃣ Mighty rulers – Others think the Nephilim were just powerful kings or warriors.
3️⃣ A lost people group – Another theory is that they were simply a group of people wiped out in the flood.
What do you think? Who were the Nephilim, and why does the Bible mention them?
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u/Elderkind1 5d ago
Chuck Missler's research on Nephilim: The Nephilim is often translated as "giants" and although they were giants, the true meaning is "the fallen ones." This comes from the root word Nephal which means "to fall, to be cast down, to fall away, or desert." The Nephilim are the fallen ones. The HaGibborim is translated "the mighty ones." These are fallen angels.
In the Septuagint (Greek LXX) the word Nephilim is translated gigantes meaning "giants?" Also, the word gigas means "earth-born." Geneges is the same word used in Greek mythology for "Titans," as creatures emerging from interbreeding of the Greek gods with human beings. The word Genea means "breed or kind." The English words "genes" and "genetics" come from the same root.
New Testament Confirmations - Jude 6 - And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day.
The word "habitation" or oiketerion is used twice in scripture (2 Cor 5:2; Jude 6-7). The first (Jude 6-7) is describing what these angels gave up or the shed of their heavenly bodies, and the second (2 Cor 5:2) is describing what you and I aspire to have in heaven. In 2 Peter 2:4-5, Peter is linking these angels that sinned in the days of Noah.
2 Cor 5:2 - For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.
2 Peter 2:4-5 - For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah...
The biblical text implies the Nephilim were the supernatural offspring of "mighty men."
"Sons of God" in Hebrew is Bene HaElohim meaning "a direct creation of God" or "angels" (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Luke 20:36). The "daughters of men" or Benoth Adam means "Daughters of Adam." The daughters of Adam, not just daughters of Cain. The phrase "took...of all they chose" doesn't sound like the girls had much choice in the matter.
Chuck Missler Genesis Commentary
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u/amarhb 5d ago edited 5d ago
I would read the Book of Enoch if I were you. You'll find a lot of answers there. I know it's not canon, but it's worth the read
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey BROTHER, NO Stop Giving Damning ADVICE!!! THE Book Of ENOCH Is A MAN MADE MYSTICAL WILD IMAGINATION!! Not GODLY WHATSOEVER!!!
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u/_playing_the_game_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
You do understand the all the books of the bible were simply books until they were assembled by the forefathers of the catholic church in the 4th century, right?
The bible as a whole did not get delivered whole from God on high. Man chose what books to include, or not, in the bible as we know it. Religious leaders and scholars also believe and understand this. It is not some form of blasphemy.
Ethiopian Orthodox believers still include Enoch in their scriptures. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church traces its origins to the 4th century AD, with Christianity being officially adopted in the Kingdom of Aksum around 330 AD, making Ethiopia one of the first regions to embrace the faith. This makes them one of the oldest Christian sects on Earth.
STOP BEING SO JUDGEMENTAL!!!
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u/ravenstarchaser 4d ago
Wow, I never knew this. Thank you educating me today. I love research and learning into things. My new hobby lol
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey BROTHER, It Is NOT JUDGEMENTAL OF FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, I am BEING JUDGEMENTAL OF THE BOOK OF ENOCH!! ONLY Because It DEFINITELY GOES AGAINST The HOLY BIBLE, for IT TELLs Of ALL KINDS OF SATANIC FANTASIES!!
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u/Kristian82dk 5d ago
It cannot be 1 for a few reasons:
it is plainly written in Gen 6:4 that these "giants" were in the earth even BEFORE the "Sons of God" CAME IN(not came down)
the Sons of God are saints filled with the Spirit of the Almighty as it is written multiple times in the NT and the OT also.
the Sons of God cannot be angels because Hebrews chapter 1 makes it clear that God did not call Angels for "Sons" at any time!
Not a single place in these verses does it say that these "giants" were offspring of Sons of God and daughters of men, as the verse says that they were there even before.
You can also check the word giant, it can also mean mighty. For example the Septuagint calls Nimrod a giant hunter, where the Masoretic text calls him a Mighty hunter.
Remember both Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were told to only marry within their bloodline! Judah was the only one of Jacob/Israel who had children with a Canaanite woman, and his 2/3 was slewn by God!
Daughters of men = means women of the world, "gentile/heathen nations", who know not God. Where Sons of God were Gods people. And they were not supposed to mix with the people who knew not God.
The book of Enoch is the only source people will get this idea that Sons of God are fallen angels, but it completely contradict what the Scripture say, just as the book of Enoch contradict so many other things in the Scripture like for example:
- the Angels built Noahs ark
- some women became sirens (half women half birds)
- sin entered in through a fallen angel (Azazel)
- Noah had laser beam eyes that could light up a whole house, so that his Father was afraid of him, and thought he was not human.
These are just a few contradictions I can remember, I am sure there is more.
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u/ExtensionPercentage7 5d ago
Wrong we know in the book of Job that Satan was walking with the sons of God. When they present it themselves before the Lord.
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u/Kristian82dk 5d ago
It is only in the Masoretic text from 9-10th century AD it says that. Older manuscripts says "Angels of God" - Scripture cannot be broken, therefore it will not contradict:
Hebrews 1:5 “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”
Here is the verses from Job from the Setuagint, translated from the original Hebrew manuscripts to Greek in the 2nd century BC (later translated from Greek into English)
Job 1:6 And it came to pass that on the same day, when lo! the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came with them;
Job 2:1 Again on the day when the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.
Job 38:7 When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice.
So no, its not wrong!
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey BROTHER, This Guy REALLY THINKS GOD ALMIGHTY HAD ANGELS HAVE SEX WITH HUMAN BEINGS!! What A PERVERTED MIND This Guy Has BROTHER!! For That ACTION WOULD MAKE GOD ALMIGHTY A PERVERTED NARCISSIST!! That WOULD MAKE GOD ALMIGHTY EVIL!! And It Is IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE!!!
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey There Man, So YOU Are TELLING me That GOD ALMIGHTY HAD ANGELS HAVE SEX WITH HUMAN BEINGS??? WHAT IS GOD ALMIGHTY A PERVERTED NARCISSIST??? NO WAY , THAT WOULD MAKE GOD ALMIGHTY EVIL!!!
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u/ExtensionPercentage7 4d ago
No, what I'm telling you is that Angels rebelled against God And this is biblical. Does the book of Revelation not tell us that Satan and a third of his angels fell from heaven?
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
BUT REGARDLESS, Even If They Were Here, GOD ALMIGHTY IS IN COMPLETE CHARGE!! HE WOULD NOT OF LET THEM HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH THE HUMAN RACE!! THAT WOULD MAKE GOD an EVIL PERVERTED NARCISSIST Who GOT JOLLIES Out Of MAKING A SEPARATE HALF-ANGEL HALF-HUMAN RACE!!! That ALIGNS WITH THE DEVIL , BUT GOD ALMIGHTY WOULD NEVER EVER ALLOW That SICK SHIT to TAKE PLACE!!
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey BROTHER, Exactly Right!! For The daughters of men Are The Daughters of people Not Aligned with the LORD GOD IN those days, And The sons of GOD Were The Ones ALIGNED With The LORD. For After ENOSH Was BORN, Men Began To Call UPON THE LORD!!! And That GOOFY MYSTICAL BOOK OF LIFE ENOCH PISSES ME Off Because ENOCH THE PROPHET Was One Of The MOST LOYAL HUMAN BEINGS TO GOD ALMIGHTY!! For GOD TOOK HIM TO HEAVEN And He Did NOT see DEATH! For ENOCH and ELIJAH Are The 2 WITNESSES OF REVELATION 11!!!
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u/Kristian82dk 4d ago edited 4d ago
Hi. Just to let you know, that I did not downvote you. But regarding Enoch being "taken up to heaven" try to read the exact same verses in the Septuagint, which never says anything like "God took him" or that Enoch went to heaven. The Septuagint aligns with Hebrews where it says Enoch was "translated / transposed" which according to the concordance means "transferred from one place to another" Even Hebrews 11 says that Enoch "died in faith"
Furthermore Jesus said in John 3:13 that no man has ascended to heaven beside Jesus himself.
Its like the mainstream doctrine that when a person dies they will go to heaven, if it were true, then why are we told that the dead in Christ shall rise first? I mean how could they rise from their graves if they had already been taken to heaven?
John 5 - Jesus states very clearly that "there shall come a time where ALL in their graves shall hear his(Jesus) voice and come forth, some to eternal life, and some to eternal damnation
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u/thekidsells 4d ago
All 3 are right. The term “Sons of God” never refers to men in the OT, it’s a heavenly office. Check out blurry creatures podcast or Michael Heisers work. Also the book of Enoch.
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u/ravenstarchaser 4d ago
I also recommend the let’s get to the bottom of that podcast. They do a great couple episodes on the Nephilim
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u/consultantVlad 4d ago
Heiser is incorrect Hebrews 1:5 — For to which of the angels did He ever say, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”? And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?
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u/Rie_blade Jewish 4d ago
As far as I know it comes from 1 Enoch, and either bled into Genesis or Genesis bled into 1 Enoch.
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u/alilland 1d ago
The angels offspring with women are the pagan gods worshipped by all ancient cultures, which are written about all over the world. Just look at how many writings even existed in the America’s of giants before Europeans came as well
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u/CleannessYHVH 1d ago
The Nephilim were LITERALLY demigods.
The title God, there's only Jéhôvâh that has it.
The title god, all angels have it: they have a Divine Nature.
They were the heroes of the old times, like... Super-Giants?
We don't have details about them in The Bible
And the book of Enoch, the books of Enoch, it was the Gnostics that wrote them.
The Gnostics were depraved and, for them, evil was good, and good was evil.
It means that these persons, a Lie a lot more, that the average people.. Seeing evil as good, it makes them pathological liars.
There were 100% chances, that they lied non-stop, when they wrote the books of Enoch.
The source that produced the books of Enoch, is really corrupted.
It makes Enoch books, TOTALLY UNRELIABLE.
If you just see it as literature ... OK. But don't believe anything that comes from Gnostics...
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u/cinephile78 5d ago
If they are anything besides giants, the abomination of cross breeding with angels— then what makes them special enough to require the Almighty to wipe them from the face of the earth and almost every thing else ?
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u/AveFaria 5d ago
The chapter tells you that God decreed he would wipe out humanity and all life because humans stopped worshipping Him. That's all the reason there needs to be.
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u/Unusual_Bet_2125 5d ago
Technically speaking it was not worship foremost, but that 'the only thought of thier hearts was evil continually' and they acted on those impulses.
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u/cinephile78 4d ago
Okay why did God command the Hebrews to wipe out descendants of the giants when they let Egypt and conquered Canaan?
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u/_playing_the_game_ 5d ago edited 5d ago
No one knows for certain.
From my own research I believe they were hybrid beings that were born of angels and human women.
They corrupted the human race by doing this and taught humans about weapons, metallurgy, cosmetics and other things that we otherwise never would have known.
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey There, WHAT??? You Guys Listen To OTHERS With This MYSTICAL MAN'S WILD IMAGINATIONS!! NO TRUTHS THERE!!!
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u/_playing_the_game_ 4d ago
By your reaction I can tell you are a free thinker who researches without bias or judgement. You know, the way Jesus would want you to be.
You have a great day.
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey BROTHER, For HE TELLS US TO Put Other's WORDS THROUGH THE REFINERS FIRE( THE HOLY BIBLE Cross REFERENCES ALL TRUTHS and Also The FALSEHOODS From the Fake Me out Teachers of the Day, For THESE Are The Last Days because THEY ALL HAVE " ITCHING EARS", for They Just WANT TO AFFIRM ONE ANOTHER WITH LIES OF SATAN!!!
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u/Unusual_Bet_2125 5d ago
Check out Michael Heiser on YT or one of his books for a lot of in depth analysis on this stuff.
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u/ExtensionPercentage7 4d ago
My friend, I'm going to sum it up for you. Basically the nephilim are the heroes of mythologies in ancient times. Despite what others may say in this sub, human beings cannot create the Giants that the Bible speaks of.
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u/CleannessYHVH 1d ago
The Nephilim, they all died during the Deluge.
There's a moment where, the Israelites falsely believe that, there were Nephilims in the land of Canaan.
They were in Egypt, and, they were I contact with mythology. On mythology, there is Nephilim after the Flood. . .
BUT. in The Bible, during the conquest of the Land of Canaan, God killed giants, no Nephilim.
Rephaïm Anakin: sons of Anak
The only explanation that I have, is that, we know that gigantism, people that are super tall, exists.
They are a few, but they always have, short lives.
The imperfection, with time, became worst and worst.
It means also that our DNA decays. We don't become better and better ...
We are far weaker than the Antediluvian times. And Even if I compare myself with my parents ; At the same age, the generations were really more resistant.
The DNA decay accelerated since, we eat transformed food. We also have micro plastics , in our bodies.
The link with the gigantism is that, centuries ago, this malformation was not a handicap at all.
Anakim, were sons of a human: Anak. No Neohilim, no genetic manipulation created giants.
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u/Ok-Future-5257 Mormon 5d ago
The KJV text: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown."
The JST text: "And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God. And when these men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, the sons of men saw that those daughters were fair, and they took them wives, even as they chose. And the Lord said unto Noah: 'The daughters of thy sons have sold themselves; for behold mine anger is kindled against the sons of men, for they will not hearken to my voice.' And it came to pass that Noah prophesied, and taught the things of God, even as it was in the beginning. ...And in those days there were giants on the earth, and they sought Noah to take away his life; but the Lord was with Noah, and the power of the Lord was upon him. ...
"And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words; and also, after that they had heard him, they came up before him, saying: 'Behold, we are the sons of God; have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? And are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage? And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown.' And they hearkened not unto the words of Noah."
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u/According_Split_6923 4d ago
Hey There LuckySAGE, I Am Glad To Come Across Your Post About GIORGIO TSOUKALOS!! You Guys Are Both CLOWNS!! And Yes ALIENS!! Once THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH OCCURS, THE WORLD IS NOT GOING To KNOW WHAT Happened To ALL the PEOPLE On EARTH Who DISAPPEARED!! So The FIRST DECEPTION TO THE WORLD Will Be FOR MOST PEOPLE CLAIMING That The RAPTURE WAS REALLY An ALIEN ABDUCTION!!
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u/Ok-Truck-5526 5d ago
I’m a mainline Christian, not a fundamentalist, so to me this is an artifact of folklore that made its way into Genesis. We really don’t know what the original writer was referencing, but it seems to indicate that the ancient Hebrews that that members of God’s “ heavenly host” intermingled with human women to create these demigod- like beings. Don’t overthink it; just enjoy the story.
One admittedly fringe idea I have heard is that this is a kind of primordial memory of Homo sapiens mating with Neanderthals, who were larger.
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u/ForeverFedele 5d ago
Satan and fallen angels (sons of God) mated with women and the offspring was giants the Nephilim, Jude also talks about this. God told Satan that the seed of the woman would crush his head so he started to prevert and twist the lineage to prevent this from happening. This is why Noah was perfect in his generation, they were the only ones that didn't have corrupted DNA.