Who are the Nephilim?
Today, we will look at a controversial and somewhat confusing verse that many just skip over. Genesis 6:4 – The Nephilim.
So who and what are they? Well, No one really knows. But it’s still interesting to study them for a few minutes. God put them in the Bible, so we need to study to see what He is trying to show us. All of His Word is significant with meaning for us to search out. The Bible describes the Nephilim as giants. They are also referred to as Sons of God, the Bible isn’t clear on exactly who they are. You can find them pop up in Genesis 6, Numbers 13, and various other places in the Bible. Some traditional Jewish explanations interpret them as fallen angels. You can do your own research as prompted by the Holy Spirit and see what God reveals to you. It’s an interesting study. While it’s not entirely clear who they are, there is a reason why God mentions them here, so it’s worth parking here for a minute to see what you can find. This is strictly my opinion from studying them, but I tend to “lean” towards the Jewish explanation. Why?
Well, God specifically mentions “humans” 8 times just in verses 1-8 of chapter 6. Right in the middle of verses 1-8, God in His intentionally creative way plops the Nephilim smack dab in the middle in verse 4. But what exactly does he say in verse 4? The Word says in the first half of that verse, The Nephilim were on the earth in those days – and also afterward – Hmmm…
You can pop over and read in Genesis 7:21-23 and see that the Bible says that everything on earth perished, once God shut the door to the ark and the waters started rising. So according to Genesis 6:4 they were on earth before the flood – and also afterward. How is that possible if everything and everyone perished?!? Hold that thought… Make a note to pop over to read Numbers 13:33 And you will find them “again” “afterward” after the flood. How could this be? Well, Satan was here before the flood and definitely after, and still here today. According to 1 Peter 5:8. It says,
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
So if the Jewish explanation is correct and they are fallen angels, then that would certainly explain why they survived the flood. The Nephilim area mentioned and never called human and they survived the flood. No one knows for sure, but it sure makes an interesting study to find out what God is trying to tell us here.
Let’s dig further.
They are mentioned in Genesis 6:4 as being the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” But who were they really? Some believe that they were giants, while others believe that they were simply humans with a divine lineage. Whatever the case may be, we know from Scripture that they were mighty beings with great power and authority. And just like their fathers, the sons of God, we too can have this same power and authority if we walk in obedience to God.
The offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”
Scriptures often focus on the faith and strength of believers, but in Genesis 6:2-4, we see a mysterious but fascinating side of God’s story. The Bible tells us that these supernatural “sons of God” crossed boundaries between the spiritual and physical realms in order to produce offspring called the Nephilim. With many questions left unanswered about this unique event, we are still left with an encouraging message from God: He is working things out for His purposes, despite our human understanding or inability to comprehend how it all fits together. What may appear chaotic, confusing or dangerous to us can be part of a larger picture that only God sees which is why we can have peace through trusting Him.
Here on earth before and after the flood
The giants who inhabited the earth before and after the flood were a powerful force in history. Though many might regard them as the stuff of legends, their memory is indicative of God’s awe-inspiring works and providence. It was He that appointed these giants to have dominion over our world and His faithfulness allowed them to continue despite any natural or manmade disasters that may have beset them. We must trust that God has a reason for them being here still today.
Biblical history
The biblical stories of the Nephilim have captivated believers and non-believers alike for centuries. While the scripture itself may not give us a concrete answer as to who or what they were, there is still much to learn from the stories of these mysterious figures. For example, by studying how the Nephilim interacted with other people in the Bible can help us develop a better understanding of how God works in our lives today. The Bible may not give us all the details we seek but it can still bring us closer to Him regardless. Whatever your opinion on the Nephilim are, it’s ok.
The Biblical account of the Nephilim is a fascinating and perplexing one. While we may never know for certain who or what they were, we can trust that God is sovereign and knows what He is doing. In all circumstances, we are to turn to Him and study His Word. As we do so, He will help us understand what it means to live in obedience to Him even when we don’t have all the answers to our questions.
God bless you.