{"id":15347,"date":"2022-12-18T17:40:39","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T22:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/?p=15347"},"modified":"2022-12-18T17:40:39","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T22:40:39","slug":"genesis-64-who-or-what-were-the-nephilim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/genesis-64-who-or-what-were-the-nephilim\/","title":{"rendered":"Genesis 6:4 – Who or what were the Nephilim?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Problem:<\/strong> The description of the nephilim has plagued students of the Bible for centuries. Who or what were the nephilim?
\n
\nSolution:<\/strong> This controversial passage has garnered three separate views:<\/p>\n

VIEW #1: The \u201csons of God\u201d are Seth\u2019s godly line.
\nUnder this view, the \u201csons of God\u201d are Seth\u2019s godly line (see Gen. 5), and the \u201cdaughters of men\u201d are Cain\u2019s wicked line (see Gen. 4). Thus, the sin of Genesis 6 was believers intermarrying with non-believers (Ezra 9:1-10:44; 2 Cor. 6:14-18).<\/p>\n

This view has been the \u201ctraditional Christian interpretation since the third century.\u201d[1] Martin Luther,[2] John Calvin,[3] Keil and Delitzsch,[4] John Sailhamer,[5] the Scofield Bible, and most interpreters hold to this view.<\/p>\n

How can humans be called \u201csons of God\u201d? These interpreters argue that sometimes God\u2019s people are called \u201csons of the LORD your God\u201d (Deut. 14:1) or \u201csons of the living God\u201d (Hos. 1:10).<\/p>\n

Critics of this view (like myself) point out that the exact Hebrew phrase (\u201csons of God\u201d b\u00e9ne-ha\u2019elohim) occurs only here and in Job. These other phrases are not the same language.<\/p>\n

Why does this refer to the descendants of Seth and Cain? These interpreters argue that the term \u201cdaughters\u201d (vv.1-4) serves as a literary link to Seth\u2019s descendants (\u201csons and daughters,\u201d 5:4, 7, etc.).<\/p>\n

However, this literary link actually backfires. After all, under this view, the \u201cdaughters of men\u201d do not refer to Seth\u2019s line, but to Cain\u2019s line! Remember, Seth\u2019s line are the \u201csons of God\u201d and Cain\u2019s line are the \u201cdaughters of men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why does God flood the Earth for human intermarriage? These interpreters argue that this section of Scripture (Gen. 6:1-4) is not a reason for the Flood, but rather an intrusion in the narrative\u2014merely explaining how human proliferated before God judged them (Mt. 24:38).<\/p>\n

However, the text says that God \u201csaw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth\u201d (Gen. 6:5). What did he see if not the events in verses 1-4? This seems parallel to God \u201cseeing\u201d the Tower of Babel, and then pronouncing judgment on it (Gen. 11:1-5).<\/p>\n

Further problems with this view
\n(1) Why does \u201cmen\u201d in verse 1 mean all of humanity, but \u201cmen\u201d in verse 2 refers only to Cain\u2019s descendants?<\/p>\n

(2) Why do the offspring produce Nephilim (\u201cgiants\u201d) and \u201cmighty men\u2026 men of renown\u201d (v.4)?<\/p>\n

(3) Who are the \u201cangels who sinned\u201d in the days of Noah? (1 Pet. 3:19-20; 2 Pet. 2:4-11; Jude 6-7) If the \u201csons of God\u201d are not angels, then how could Peter and Jude expect their audiences to know what they were writing about?<\/p>\n

VIEW #2: The \u201csons of God\u201d are ancient Near Eastern kings.
\nUnder this view, the \u201csons of God\u201d were ANE kings who claimed to be \u201cdivine.\u201d These \u201cdivine\u201d kings took whichever women they wanted to be their wives (\u201cwhomever they chose,\u201d Gen. 6:2). Thus under this view, the great sin here is the \u201cpower rape\u201d of the kings, taking polygamous wives from wherever they wanted.<\/p>\n

Meredith Kline[6] and Walter Kaiser[7] hold to this view, and Bruce Waltke holds to a modified version of this view, stating that these \u201csons of God\u201d were demon-possessed kings.[8] These interpreters offer several lines of evidence to support this view:<\/p>\n

(1) It would make sense that the offspring of ANE kings could be called \u201cmighty men\u2026 men of renown\u201d (Gen. 6:4).<\/p>\n

(2) Pharaohs took wives from whomever they wanted (Gen. 12:10-20), as did kings like David (2 Sam. 11).<\/p>\n

(3) Some ancient commentaries read \u201csons of nobles\u201d instead of \u201csons of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

(4) The Hebrew word Elohim is sometimes used for human authorities\u2014not just \u201cgods\u201d (Ex. 21:6; 22:8; Ps. 82:1, 6).<\/p>\n

(5) The context for this passage is the boasting of Lamech\u2014a similar despot (Gen. 4:19-24). While Lamech practiced bigamy, these \u201csons of God\u201d practiced polygamy.<\/p>\n

(6) Hebrew word nephilim is very difficult to translate. When combined with gibborom, it could refer to \u201cprinces, aristocrats, or great men.\u201d[9]<\/p>\n

Problems with this view
\n(1) How does this explain the NT usage of this passage? As we pointed out above, who are the \u201cangels who sinned\u201d in the days of Noah? (1 Pet. 3:19-20; 2 Pet. 2:4-11; Jude 6-7) If the \u201csons of God\u201d are not angels, then how could Peter and Jude expect their audiences to know what they were writing about?<\/p>\n

Not all demons are in hell. Instead, they are let loose on the Earth. Why then are some demons locked up, and why were these demons mentioned in the context of Noah? Peter and Jude\u2019s audience must have known that these actions referred to Genesis 6\u2014unless there were other demons, who coincidently happened to do horrific, damning actions at the time of Noah, as well.<\/p>\n

(2) The term nephilim doesn\u2019t specifically refer to kings and princes; it only takes on this meaning, when combined with gibborom (\u201cmighty men,\u201d Gen. 6:4).<\/p>\n

(3) Why does \u201cmen\u201d in verse 1 refer to all of humanity, but the \u201cmen\u201d in verse 2 only refers to some men? Why then does \u201cman\u201d refer to all of humanity again in verse 3?<\/p>\n

VIEW #3: The \u201csons of God\u201d are angels having sex with human women.
\nWe hold to this final interpretation. Under this view, the \u201csons of God\u201d are fallen angels, who intermarry and breed with human women. Many ancient Jewish interpreters,[10] Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria all held this view.[11] The first-century historian Josephus writes,<\/p>\n

Many angels of God accompanied with women, and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good, on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the tradition is, That these men did what resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call giants.[12]
\nThe best modern defense of this view that we have read is from Willem VanGemeren.[13] Below, we give a verse by verse interpretation:<\/p>\n

(Gen. 6:1-2) Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.<\/p>\n

The \u201csons of God\u201d are distinct from the \u201cdaughters of men.\u201d<\/p>\n

The use of \u201cmen\u201d consistently refers to all of humanity in verses 1-4.<\/p>\n

The exact Hebrew phrase \u201csons of God\u201d (b\u00e9ne-ha\u2019elohim) occurs only here and in Job. In Job, it clearly refers to angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). Other references to \u201csons of God\u201d which are similar can also be found that refer to angels (Ps. 29:1; 89:7).<\/p>\n

(Gen. 6:3) Then the LORD said, \u201cMy Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under this interpretation, God judges humanity for the grave sin of interbreeding with demons. If regular occult practice incurs capital punishment (Deut. 18:10-12, then how much more would this practice?<\/p>\n

Rather than bearing children in the \u201cimage of God\u201d and then the subsequent \u201cimage\u201d of humans (Gen. 5:3), these humans in Genesis 6 were interbreeding with angels (demons) and producing bizarre offspring (Nephilim, \u201cmighty men\u201d).<\/p>\n

(Gen. 6:4) The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the term Nephilim refers to giants. The spies told Moses and Aaron, \u201cThere also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight\u201d (Num. 13:33).<\/p>\n

Moses refers to the Emim who were as \u201ctall as the Anakim\u201d (Deut. 2:10).<\/p>\n

The Rephaim (another term rendered as \u201cgiants\u201d) had two giants: Og\u2014the king of Bashan\u2014slept in a 13 foot bed (Deut. 3:11). Goliath (who was also a Rephaite; 1 Chron. 20:4, 6, 8; 2 Sam. 21:16, 18, 20) was a staggering 9 feet tall (1 Sam. 17:4), and had a deformed 24 fingers and toes (1 Chron. 20:6). King Saul was a head taller than every Israelite, and even he was terrified of Goliath\u2019s massive stature! (1 Sam. 9:2)<\/p>\n

This must be why the Septuagint,[14] Theodotian, the Latin Vulgate, and many ancient targums translate the Hebrew word Nephilim as \u201cgiants.\u201d<\/p>\n

When God asked Satan where he had been, he replied, \u201cFrom roaming about on the earth and walking around on it\u201d (Job 2:2). Because Satan dwells on Earth (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Jn. 5:19), it is likely that demons dwell on Earth as well. Proponents of this view also point out that 1 Peter 3:18-20, 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6-7 refer to this event. This view is the most likely, because it handles these NT texts better than any other.<\/p>\n

This view could explain why Pagan religion contains so many references to supernatural god-men. Hugh Ross writes,<\/p>\n

Giants also are described in extrabiblical literature. The Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians, for example, all wrote stories of famous heroes, men of supernatural size and strength. Greek literature is especially rich in this respect and the Philistines who settled in the coastal plain of Canaan came from Greece or Crete. In all their accounts, the superheroes came from the sexual union between immortal \u2018gods\u2019 and mortal humans.[15]
\nWaltke agrees, \u201cThese heroes may provide the historical base behind the accounts of semidivine heroes, such as Gilgamesh, of mythology. Instead of the Bible representing myth as history, as is commonly alleged, perhaps the ancients transformed history into myth.\u201d[16]<\/p>\n

Criticisms of this view considered
\nCRITIQUE #1: God wouldn\u2019t judge humans for something that demons did. In response, we should point out that God judged the first humans for siding with Satan (Gen. 3), and God holds humans responsible for consorting with demons (Deut. 18:10). Furthermore, both Peter (1 Pet. 3:19-20; 2 Pet. 2:4-11) and Jude (1:6-7) claim that God did judge these demons by sending them to the abyss.<\/p>\n

CRITIQUE #2: How could angels (demons) breed with humans, when Jesus stated that angels are neither given nor taken in marriage? (Mt. 22:30)<\/p>\n

A number of counter arguments can be made: First, Jesus is referring to angels\u2014not demons\u2014in this passage. Second, Jesus could be referring to the moral will of God regarding angels\u2014not what they are capable of doing. Third, angels often take on other human functions (Josh. 5:13-15; Dan. 3:25; 9:1-23; 10:4ff; Lk. 1:11-20; 24:4-8; Acts 1:10-11; 10:2-8; 12:4-11; 27:23; Heb. 13:2; Rev. 21:9-22:11). Even in the same book, the men of Sodom wanted to have sex with the angels in Genesis 19. Therefore, it really isn\u2019t too difficult to believe that a demon could take on sexual function. Though Derek Kidner remains agnostic on how to interpret this passage, he does note, \u201cThe craving of demons for a body, evident in the Gospels, offers at least some parallel to this hunger for sexual experience.\u201d[17] This would explain why God dealt so severely with these angelic beings (Jude 6-7).<\/p>\n

[1] Bruce Waltke, Genesis: a commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 116.<\/p>\n

[2]\u00a0 Luther\u2019s Commentary on Genesis (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958), p. 129. Cited in VanGemeren, p.335.<\/p>\n

[3] Calvin, Commentaries on the First Book of Moses Called Genesis (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979), p. 238. Cited in VanGemeren, p.335.<\/p>\n

[4] C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, n.d.), 131-38. Cited in VanGemeren, p.333.<\/p>\n

[5] John Calvin, Genesis, 10. John Sailhamer, Genesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1990), 76.<\/p>\n

[6] Meredith Kline, \u201cDivine Kingship and Sons of God in Genesis 6:1\u20134,\u201d Westminster Theological Journal 24 (1962): 187-204.<\/p>\n

[7] Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament (InterVarsity Press, 1988).<\/p>\n

[8] Waltke writes, \u201cThe best solution is to combine the \u2018angelic\u2019 interpretation with the \u2018divine king\u2019 view.\u201d Bruce Waltke, Genesis: a commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 117. See also W. H. Gispen, Genesis I: Kommentaar op het Oude Testament (Kampen: J. H. Kok), 221.<\/p>\n

[9] Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament (InterVarsity Press, 1988).<\/p>\n

[10] 1 Enoch 6:1\u20137; Testament of Reuben 5:6; Jubilees; Zadokite Fragment. Cited in Bruce Waltke, Genesis: a commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 116.<\/p>\n

[11] J. N. D. Kelly, A Commentary on the Epistles of Peter and of Jude (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p.256. Cited in VanGemeren, p.345.<\/p>\n

[12] Josephus, Antiquities, 1.73.<\/p>\n

[13] Willem VanGemeren, \u201cThe Sons of God in Genesis 6:1\u20134 (An Example of Evangelical Demythologization?)\u201d Westminster Theological Journal, 43 (1981).<\/p>\n

[14] The Septuagint translation renders Genesis 6:2 as \u201cthe angels of God\u201d (Codex Alexandrinus).<\/p>\n

[15] Ross, Hugh. The Genesis Question: Scientific Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1998. 125-126.<\/p>\n

[16] Bruce Waltke, Genesis: a commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 118.<\/p>\n

[17] Kidner, D. (1967). Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 90). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.<\/p>\n

\n

“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. (Gen 6:4)”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Problem: The description of the nephilim has plagued students of the Bible for centuries. Who or what were the nephilim?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[22,8,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-errors","category-bible-study","category-bible-teaching","no-thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15347\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pathway2truth.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}