Who is the Nephilim?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Mar 30, 2010
55
4
8
#1
Hello brethren,
I am so often very confused when it comes to this subject....I had believed the Sons of God were the angels that had fallen and thus were involved with the women of men. Some i have heard say this is ridiculous and that it was the lineage of Seth and the women were of the lineage of Cain and that intermingling brought about the flood of Noah. However why then the distinction of the offspring, such as being called Nephilim, GEN:6-4 also why were they giants again Gen:6-4, and Num:13-33 here they are discribing them as such giants that the Israelites feel like grasshoppers...??? So again i am left to believe that the "sons of God" were indeed angels for if it was the lineage intermingling we have had that all along before and after Noah, and really at this point i do not see how that would produce such giants....so if anyone can show me in scripture that my interpetation is wrong i would appreciate it. Thank you brethren for your time and consideration.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#2
Hello brethren,
I am so often very confused when it comes to this subject....I had believed the Sons of God were the angels that had fallen and thus were involved with the women of men. Some i have heard say this is ridiculous and that it was the lineage of Seth and the women were of the lineage of Cain and that intermingling brought about the flood of Noah. However why then the distinction of the offspring, such as being called Nephilim, GEN:6-4 also why were they giants again Gen:6-4, and Num:13-33 here they are discribing them as such giants that the Israelites feel like grasshoppers...??? So again i am left to believe that the "sons of God" were indeed angels for if it was the lineage intermingling we have had that all along before and after Noah, and really at this point i do not see how that would produce such giants....so if anyone can show me in scripture that my interpetation is wrong i would appreciate it. Thank you brethren for your time and consideration.
I also think they were not humans.

1. To read that text with the idea of "godly men" does not make very good sense to me. Mainly regarding the point that in that days only Noe was righteous, there was no "godly tribe".

2. Mixing godly and ungodly humans does not produce extraordinary physical changes, as you have pointed out.

3. Total disposal of the whole creation during the flood (including animals) also points rather to something really bad happening back then, not just ungodly marriages.

4. Biblical book Jude talks about angels being kept in some kind of prison because "they did not stay within their own domain".

5. Extrabiblical sources also describe these events as supernatural in nature.

6. The origins of demons cannot be described very well without this view.

Although I think this explanation is the best, it is not the salvation issue and christians can hold variety of views here.
 
Last edited:
M

Miri

Guest
#3
Honestly don't have an answer but I think one of them works
in my place, he is nearly 7 foot tall and the top of his head almost brushes the top of
the panel when he is in the lift.

Im only 5' 1" so to me he looks like a giant :)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,817
25,994
113
#4
Jesus said we will be as the angels following the resurrection of all, not being given in marriage. Do you think that implies any gender? Do you think God really has a gender? Why would immortal, eternal spirit beings have need of such things? The flood was brought about by the state of men's hearts, being that they were evil. I tend to agree with the sons of God being of the line of Seth, and the daughters of men being from Cain's line. There are people alive today who are very tall. Robert Wadlow is now deceased, but he was almost nine feet tall.

Gen. 6
5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them."
 

oldhermit

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2012
9,142
612
113
69
Alabama
#5
by oldhermit

I. The Disintegration of the God Culture and the Dominance of the Godless Culture, 1-12.


A. What was the cause? The marriage of two very diverse cultures.
1. Sons of God – the descendants of Seth
2. Daughters of men – the descendants of Cain.
Out of this union resulted a race the text refers to simply as the Nephilim.


B. Results – The abandonment of God.
1. Judgment is pronounced. God gives humanity 120 years until the destruction of the flood.
2. The rise of the Nephilim, 4. This is not necessarily causal since they were already in the land.
3. The collapse of moral ethics. There seems to be a progression of wickedness from verse three. Seems to be an undisclosed amount of time lapsed between verse 3 and verse 12. The heart is now only evil continually. Seems to be no redeeming value left.
4. God is heart-broken. Destruction of all life is pronounced, 7.
5. The earth is filled with violence.

C. God preserves the righteous remnant. God always sees and remembers the righteous, 8. In this, God tempers judgment with mercy.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#6
by oldhermit

I. The Disintegration of the God Culture and the Dominance of the Godless Culture, 1-12.


A. What was the cause? The marriage of two very diverse cultures.
1. Sons of God – the descendants of Seth
2. Daughters of men – the descendants of Cain.
Out of this union resulted a race the text refers to simply as the Nephilim.


B. Results – The abandonment of God.
1. Judgment is pronounced. God gives humanity 120 years until the destruction of the flood.
2. The rise of the Nephilim, 4. This is not necessarily causal since they were already in the land.
3. The collapse of moral ethics. There seems to be a progression of wickedness from verse three. Seems to be an undisclosed amount of time lapsed between verse 3 and verse 12. The heart is now only evil continually. Seems to be no redeeming value left.
4. God is heart-broken. Destruction of all life is pronounced, 7.
5. The earth is filled with violence.

C. God preserves the righteous remnant. God always sees and remembers the righteous, 8. In this, God tempers judgment with mercy.
Interesting ...but Seth and Cain had the exact same parents. Obviously there are some things we just don't know about in scripture and this one here about Seth and Cain is pure conjecture.

But ..hey...who knows, it might be true and as it turns out it is really irrelevant when it comes to knowing Christ now and growing in the grace and knowledge of Him and knowing our good, loving Father.

I do like your thoughts about God being heart-broken for those He loves deeply and He acts to save us so that man Christ Jesus our real Savior and God could come. - now that sounds like our Father.

Have a great weekend!
 
Last edited:
Mar 30, 2010
55
4
8
#7
[h=2]
Re: Who is the Nephilim?[/h]
Jesus said we will be as the angels following the resurrection of all, not being given in marriage. Do you think that implies any gender? Do you think God really has a gender? Why would immortal, eternal spirit beings have need of such things? The flood was brought about by the state of men's hearts, being that they were evil. I tend to agree with the sons of God being of the line of Seth, and the daughters of men being from Cain's line. There are people alive today who are very tall. Robert Wadlow is now deceased, but he was almost nine feet tall.

Gen. 6
5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them."



I don't know if this is going to work hopefully....have not figured out yet how to reply to people's comments so if it doesn't forgive me....but anyway 9 ft. tall i don't think would be enough to make the Israelites feel like grasshoppers do you? and also Magenta hi sister hope you are having a very good and blessed day!
 

oldhermit

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2012
9,142
612
113
69
Alabama
#8
Interesting ...but Seth and Cain had the exact same parents. Obviously there are some things we just don't know about in scripture and this one here about Seth and Cain is pure conjecture.

I do like your thoughts about God being heart-broken for those He loves deeply - now that sounds like our Father.

But ..hey...who knows, it might be true and as it turns out it is really irrelevant when it comes to knowing Christ now and growing in the grace and knowledge of Him and knowing our good, loving Father.

Have a great weekend!
LOL. The union of the sons of Seth and the sons of Cain is conjecture but the union of angels and humans is not. LOL.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#9
Jesus said we will be as the angels following the resurrection of all, not being given in marriage. Do you think that implies any gender? Do you think God really has a gender? Why would immortal, eternal spirit beings have need of such things? The flood was brought about by the state of men's hearts, being that they were evil. I tend to agree with the sons of God being of the line of Seth, and the daughters of men being from Cain's line. There are people alive today who are very tall. Robert Wadlow is now deceased, but he was almost nine feet tall.

Gen. 6
5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them."
I would agree .Angels have no form, no DNA made up of dust and water and therefore no way to multiply. That portion of scriptures is teaching the believing born again Jew,walking by the faith of Christ that was in them informing them not to be unevenly yoked. In that way God protected the spiritual seed of Christ the word of God from being mixed with other nations. They were giants like Goliath that apposed the Jews.

The context you offered below is in respect to men seen, not angels not seen . He had already dealt with the wickedness of angels.

Gen. 6
5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, “from man to animals” to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them."

Not from man to angels, not seen.
 

tanakh

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,040
113
76
#10
I also think they were not humans.

1. To read that text with the idea of "godly men" does not make very good sense to me. Mainly regarding the point that in that days only Noe was righteous, there was no "godly tribe".

2. Mixing godly and ungodly humans does not produce extraordinary physical changes, as you have pointed out.

3. Total disposal of the whole creation during the flood (including animals) also points rather to something really bad happening back then, not just ungodly marriages.

4. Biblical book Jude talks about angels being kept in some kind of prison because "they did not stay within their own domain".

5. Extrabiblical sources also describe these events as supernatural in nature.

6. The origins of demons cannot be described very well without this view.

Although I think this explanation is the best, it is not the salvation issue and christians can hold variety of views here.
The Nephelim were the result of intermarriage between Angelic beings and women. According to the Apocryphal book of Jubilees they also tampered with Animals. This is possibly one of the main reasons for the flood that wiped out all living things as well as people. It may also explain where Dinosaurs and other extinct beasts fit into the picture. Many of them were gigantic as well. I also believe at least one of the women on board the Ark carried Nephelim Genes which would explain why Giants were still being produced after the flood.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#11
LOL. The union of the sons of Seth and the sons of Cain is conjecture but the union of angels and humans is not. LOL.
I agree - scripture does seem to "indicate" that some angels did leave their first estate...whatever that means in real life. Actually this is somewhat conjecture too.

Jude 1:6-8 (KJV)
[SUP]6 [/SUP] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

It appears that some angels were put in hell right off the bat when they sinned. There are many demons still on this earth so they must have done something different then just rebel against God when satan did.

2 Peter 2:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;


 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#12
1. Angels of heaven do not marry
- does not imply that fallen angels did not marry
- does not imply that being from the higher dimension cannot interact physically with our dimension, in Bible there are many such examples, like angel hitting Peter to his side (yes, physically)

2. daughters of man = daughters of Cain
- in hebrew there is "the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of Adam..." so it does not fit very well in this context
 

oldhermit

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2012
9,142
612
113
69
Alabama
#13
Interesting ...but Seth and Cain had the exact same parents. Obviously there are some things we just don't know about in scripture and this one here about Seth and Cain is pure conjecture.

But ..hey...who knows, it might be true and as it turns out it is really irrelevant when it comes to knowing Christ now and growing in the grace and knowledge of Him and knowing our good, loving Father.

I do like your thoughts about God being heart-broken for those He loves deeply and He acts to save us so that man Christ Jesus our real Savior and God could come. - now that sounds like our Father.

Have a great weekend!
I'm sorry. I was not laughing at you. I appreciate your kind comments. It is just that the thought struck me funny.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#14
I also believe at least one of the women on board the Ark carried Nephelim Genes which would explain why Giants were still being produced after the flood.
That would also shed some more light to such strict orders to Israel to kill some palestinian tribes to the last one.
 
Last edited:

Agricola

Senior Member
Dec 10, 2012
2,638
88
48
#15
The Nephelim were the result of intermarriage between Angelic beings and women. According to the Apocryphal book of Jubilees they also tampered with Animals. This is possibly one of the main reasons for the flood that wiped out all living things as well as people. It may also explain where Dinosaurs and other extinct beasts fit into the picture. Many of them were gigantic as well. I also believe at least one of the women on board the Ark carried Nephelim Genes which would explain why Giants were still being produced after the flood.
Interesting possibility, but why would God go to all the trouble of wiping all the imperfection out but allowing it to continue with the introduction of impure blood line?

The other two theories I hold on to are: as they were spiritual beings they had ability to escape into another dimension and these fallen angels simply came back and picked up where they left off.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#16
I also believe at least one of the women on board the Ark carried Nephelim Genes which would explain why Giants were still being produced after the flood.
That would also shed some more light to such strict orders to Israel to kill some palestinian tribes to the last one.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#17
Interesting possibility, but why would God go to all the trouble of wiping all the imperfection out but allowing it to continue with the introduction of impure blood line?

The other two theories I hold on to are: as they were spiritual beings they had ability to escape into another dimension and these fallen angels simply came back and picked up where they left off.
Fallen angels are kept in prison in some "place" as Juda desribes. But their children, giants, could not escape the flood. They were partly humans, partly angels.
 
Feb 9, 2010
2,486
39
0
#18
I did not study about the flood,concerning the sons of God,coming unto the daughters of men,that produced such wicked people,but it kind of does not make sense either way you look at it.

If it is from the line of Seth,and they are considered the sons of God,why would they take unto themselves the daughters of men,of all that they chose,being wicked,and produce people that were very wicked,if they are the sons of God.

If it is fallen angels,how can they come in to the daughters of men,unless they possessed men to perform the act,but then why would a fallen angel,being a spiritual being,have any interest in having sex with people,except for one thing,and that is to disrupt the creation of God,for they are rebellious towards God.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When war breaks out in heaven,the devils will be cast to earth,which the earth becomes their holding cell,and Satan is no more the prince of the power of the air,and the devils will deceive all people that do not love God,which is the strong delusion that God will send all those who love not God,so they will follow the beast kingdom,and God will separate the world,from those who love the truth.

The devils will disrupt God's creation,and cause people to be continuously wicked,like in the days of Noah.

It could be that the sons of God,are fallen angels that disrupted the creation,in the days of Noah,for they are rebellious towards God,and will do it in the future,to cause the beast kingdom to come about.

Gen 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
Gen 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Gen 6:4 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 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

If it is the from the line of Seth,being people,why would it produce such wicked people,where they were evil continually,when people today are not producing such wicked people,and people are people,whether back then,or today,for if they could produce such wicked people back then,then the same thing would happen all through history,for people are people.

People coming in unto people,and having children,would not produce such wicked people,that were evil continually,as described in Genesis 6,for without Satan manipulating people,people would not be wicked like that,and during the millennial reign of Christ,the devil is bound,and cast in to the bottomless pit,and there is peace for 1000 years,for Satan is not manipulating the people.

People will only be wicked like that if they are influenced by fallen angels,which is why they are so wicked at the beast kingdom,to be evil continually,because the fallen angels are influencing all those who love not God,to follow the beast kingdom,for without the devils influencing people,people would not be wicked like described in Genesis 6.

Sons of God.

אֱלֹהִים
'ĕlôhı̂ym
el-o-heem'
Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

I believe it was the fallen angels disrupting the creation,for they are rebellious towards God,and they will do it again in the future,which will cause the beast kingdom to come about,but I will study it more,but that is what it appears to me,for it does not make sense that they would be that wicked,and produce people of the caliber stated,to be evil continually,without the influence of the fallen angels,for without the influence of the devils,people would not be that wicked,as in the case of the millennial reign of Christ,when there is peace for 1000 years,because the people that God spared that fought against Israel,that Jesus an the saints rule over,are not influenced by the devils.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#20
The Nephelim were the result of intermarriage between Angelic beings and women. According to the Apocryphal book of Jubilees they also tampered with Animals. This is possibly one of the main reasons for the flood that wiped out all living things as well as people. It may also explain where Dinosaurs and other extinct beasts fit into the picture. Many of them were gigantic as well. I also believe at least one of the women on board the Ark carried Nephelim Genes which would explain why Giants were still being produced after the flood.

The book of Jubilees is false doctrine, as an oral tradition of men they are designed to make the faith of God without effect by rather having our faith in respect to sinful men,us. . The angels were not created of the dust in the image of God.

They have no DNA needed to multiply.

It s simply teaching we are not to be unevenly yoked with those who do not have have faith the froward nation, in Adam all die.