“IN THE BIBLE THERE ARE SOME STRANGE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT ARE A DEEP MYSTERY. IN ONE CASE THEY REFER TO THE ANCIENT PAST OF MAN’S HISTORY, AND THE RESULTING CORRUPTION OF THE HUMAN GENETIC POOL, WHICH BROUGHT ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD OF THAT DAY.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this ancient mystery and devastation our world experienced. So stay tune as we try to do that by answering the question: WHO WERE THE NEPHILIM?   

…Today there are blockbuster movies, and popular novels written that seem to indicate a great fascination with extraterrestrial life. Films like “Independence Day,” the “Alien Nation,” “SG-1” and a host of others, show that mankind today is truly interested in the speculation that there is life in outer space which may have in the past come to earth and infiltrated the human race. Such an idea actually has come from a section of the Bible found in the Book of Genesis where we read,

Gen 6:1-4 (NIV)  When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown."

The question that comes from these strange passages is “WHO WERE THE NEPHILIM?” Were they extraterrestrial creatures that invaded the earth and intermingled with the human race, creating monsters? Were they demonic spirits that likewise did the same? Or were they simply the height and depth of human depravity taken to its worst level? Well after our second musical pause, I’ll share with you what my research has discovered. Stay tuned…

… For decades speculation on these passages, found in the Book of Genesis, has created a stir in theological and social circles. Films and books galore have been made and written to try to put some meaning to the many myths or ancient reports of “supernatural giants or “Olympian gods” that once roamed the earth. Men who were half human, and half alien, a new breed of humanity that was so wicked and destructive, that God had to step in and destroy the entire world in which they lived. Indeed the passage that speaks of the rise of the NEPHILIM, coming from the sexual union of “THE SONS OF GOD,” and the “DAUGHTERS OF MEN,” is a topic of real interest and intrigue. What is the answer and explanation? Well let’s get a view of the context of the times in which Moses, the writer of Scripture set this account.

The Book of Genesis and the time period prior to the worldwide global Flood of Noah’s day are described for us in Genesis chapters 4:16 - 6:7. Scholars tell us a period of some 1500 years lie between the Fall of Adam and Eve and the Noahic Flood. The story of these long centuries is told to us in these chapters. Here, God assessed the times and said that mankind moved out into two directions. One, a small minority group called the Sethites, stayed close to God and His Word, and the other, the Cainites, the majority walked away from God and descended into the depths of sin and depravity. These two ancestral lines can be traced in Genesis chapters 4-5. The godless line descending from Cain had shown indifference and hostility toward the worship of the true God. They created a new age of life and living for humanity that was characterized by moral and social disorder and disobedience. A representative sampling of this moral corruption is found Genesis 4:19, were we’re told of  the Cainites defiance of God’s plan for monogamous marriage,

Gen 4:19 (NIV)  Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

The world of Noah’s day was filled with an emphasis on sensuality, the allurement of the physical body, the promotion the flesh, and inflaming the desires of men and women to live for this alone. The world of Noah’s day was also one of great spiritual darkness and demonism not unlike the world we are building today.

But as sin is sin, it always gravitates downward and from this moral disorder, came a great apostasy. In Genesis 6:1-2 we have a brief account of the final expression of the perversion of  sinful mankind. We read again,

Gen 6:1-2 (NIV)  When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

Here we’re confronted with two phrases that have brought perplexity and disagreement among Bible scholars for centuries. Who were the “sons of God,” and the “daughters of men?”

Amidst a population explosion of the day due to the inordinate emphasis on sexuality and sensual pleasures – the human race burgeoned. This led to further spiritual decay, shameless depravity and much antisocial behavior. God describes how people lived without God as the head of their homes and hearts and their society,

Gen 6:5-6 (NIV)  The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

What happened back then to cause God to actually consider destroying the human race, including the entire world? Well, it’s all bound up or culminated in this section of Scripture that tells us of a strange sexual union that defied God’s order and plan for the human race. Again we read,

Gen 6:1-2 (NIV)  When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

First of all, the phrase the “sons of God” or literally “sons of Elohim,” mentioned in Genesis 6:2 have been identified in three different ways:

(1) As Seth’s apostate descendants who intermarried with the depraved descendants of Cain,

(2) as despotic chieftains of Cainite descent who married a plurality of wives in order to expand their dominion, and…

(3) as fallen angels  or demons who took on physical bodies to cohabit with women of the human race.

Although each of the three views has its problems, those of the fallen “angel” or demon view seem to be most reasonable, although unthinkable. For instance, the expression “sons of God” is used exclusively in the Old Testament of angels, not saved humanity. See (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7).

Job 1:6 (NIV)  One day the angels [sons of Elohim]  came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

This reference is exclusively to the angelic hosts, as are all other Old Testament references. According to this view, then the “sons of God,” were angels, fallen angels or demons who left their created estate, came to earth and procreativity mingled with human females producing literal offspring called, the “Nephilim” which is a Hebrew transliteration meaning “a race or nation of powerful, mighty possibly fallen ones.” These offspring are described here as giants or powerful beings of possible unnatural birth. Although they were huge, they of course were not stronger than God, who determined to destroy them in the flood, along with the rest of the world. (Gen. 6:7; 7:23). The Bible reports,

Gen 6:7 (NIV)  So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Gen 7:23 (NIV)  Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

The alternate view that the “sons of God,” were simply the apostate Sethites who left their commitment of spiritual and social separation from the ungodly, married the unsaved women and brought forth new godless children doesn’t fit the context, nor the Hebrew structure of the passages. For some years I confess, I held this view simply because it seemed preposterous and nightmarish to think that angels could commingle sexually with the human race, so now let’s extrapolate this.

The main argument against fallen angels or demons sexually mating with humanity is appealed to in Jesus’ words, where we read,

Mat 22:30 (NIV)  “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

Now we must be careful when applying the meanings of certain scripture to other scripture in interpretation when the context may differ. The only thing Jesus tells us here is that the angels “in heaven,” do not procreate, as human beings do on earth. Therefore, Matthew 22:30 does not necessarily negate the possibility that angels are capable of procreation, but just that they do not marry. To procreate physically, they had to possess or control or manipulate human, male bodies.

It may well be that God created the angelic race with the ability to procreate, but did not give them permission to do so. The text and context of Genesis 6:1-2 seems to indicate that the “sons of God,” were indeed angels who left their assigned state in the heavens and in rebellion to God, chose to corrupt and infiltrate the human race. We have further identification of special angels who because of their grievous sin committed, were cast down into a place called “Tartarus,” a holding place where they are “chained” or held fast till the day of judgment. We read of this in,

2 Pet 2:4-6 (NIV)  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell [Tartarus], putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment..”

Jude 1:6 (NIV)  And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

This then may be the explanation of why God chained some fallen angels, or demons, and allowed others to roam freely, till judgment. Thus we can deduce that, in the days of Noah, a strange and terrible event took place. Some fallen angels or “demons” as they have become, were able somehow to sexually intermingle with the human race creating a new breed of humanity, half-human, and half-angelic. These offspring of these fallen angels, were different from normal human beings. First, they were huge in physical stature, and were called the “NEPHILIM.” They were upwards of nine to ten feet tall. Secondly they harbored unusual strength and third, their mental abilities were phenomenal.  This lead to their further corrupting of mankind’s ways, leading rapidly to such a tidal wave of violence and wickedness over the earth that there was no longer any remedy but utter destruction. Yes, the “sons of God,” clearly fallen angels, saw the “daughters of men” the ungodly women of the day, and took them as their wives The children produced of such union were in essence corrupted human beings who became “giants in the earth,” mighty men of renown, monsters if you will not only in size, but also in wickedness.

 Gen 6:4 (NIV)  The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Gen 6:7 (NIV)  So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”

One’s first reaction to this passage is to think of it as fairy tales of antiquity. On the other hand, many good Christians have attempted to make the story more palatable intellectually by explaining the “sons of God” as Sethites, the godly line of humanity, and the “daughters of men” as Cainites, with their union representing the breaking down of the wall of separation between believers and unbelievers. However, this naturalistic interpretation, fails to explain why the progeny of such unions would be “giants” or why it would lead to universal corruption and violence, worthy of total annihilation.  Now the fact is, Scripture does teach that believers should not wed unbelievers. We read of this in,

2 Cor 6:14 (NIV)  Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

1 Cor 7:39 (NIV)  A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.

Yet, there is no intimation that this particular sin is unforgivable or more productive of general moral deterioration than other sins. So, regardless of the difficulties of interpretation, it does seem clear that something beyond the normal and natural is described here in these verses.

The interpretation of the passage obviously pivots on the meaning of the phrase “sons of God” This actual Hebrew phrase “bene elohim” is used three other times, all in the very ancient book of Job (1:6; 2:1; 38:7). There is no doubt at all that, in these passages, the meaning applies exclusively to the angels. Therefore as hard as it may seem, it appears these NEPHILIM of the day were indeed giants, men of renown abilities, but also a corrupt humanity brought about by demonic infiltration into the human gene pool by some means of manipulation whether genetic or not.

 Now why have I taken the time to share this with you? The answer is God put this passage in Scripture to warn us of the tremendous power and the diabolical plan the fallen angel world has to destroy the human race. Yes, God saved the world and humanity from this early physical corruption by destroying it all, save eight souls, Noah and his family. From them, God restarted the pure human race, and since has captured and chained up these wicked demons.

Yet today the truth is, demons still desire to inhabit and possess humanity. We see that they can still possess man, and corrupt his ways, his thinking, his passions, and his health. Satan and his hoard of fallen angels are described for us as highly organized, disciplined and controlling a major portion of our world. We read of this in,

Eph 6:12 (NIV)  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Although God is sovereign and in full control, He has allowed these fallen angels known as demons to have a measure of power and control over all humanity that yields itself to them. We further read that many demons actually control heads of nations and rule them. Communism, Fascism, Atheism and other godless ideologies are obviously the brainchild of demon inspiration. We read of this in an angel’s report to Daniel of the resistance he encountered with another angel ruling a human kingdom,

Dan 10:13 (NIV)  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

Furthermore we read that demons are very active in teaching the godless their ways and plans,

1 Tim 4:1-2 (NIV)  The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Yes indeed, as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be at the coming of the Lord. Look around you my friend. Although God will never allow the human race to be physically corrupted again, He does allow the ungodly to submit themselves to the influences of demonic persuasion and possession. I believe men like Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Adolph Hitler, Mao-Tse-Tung and a host of other megalomaniacs, religious or not are or were demon possessed and driven to wreck havoc and destruction on the human race.

We must therefore be careful not to allow such influence to befall our hearts and minds. This is primary in the world of education where I personally believe demonic influence has taken over. Our secular American schools promote all forms of godlessness, reject God and His Word, and even mock Christian principles and the godly that live them. Friend, we are allowing demon influence to create a world without Christ and God. This world was prophesied to come. It is called the GREAT APOSTASY. And, when it reaches maturity and is full bloom, God’s judgments will again fall on this lost and sinful world. This time period is called “the Great Tribulation,” a period of seven terror-filled years when God has removed the godly ones from the earth to leave it to the ungodly for a short period of time. During this time, Satan and hoards of demons will be allowed to again deeply influence human affairs through his antichrist ruler who will arise and destroy the world.

Yes, long ago in ages past, God’s fallen angels came to earth and intermingled with the human race and were able to bring about offspring that were half human and half demonic. These NEPHILIM were described as “giant tyrants” in physical stature and mental ability. Yet, God destroyed them all. But the influence of demons still goes on. The only protection we have against their taking over in our lives is to take Jesus Christ, as our Lord God and our Savior from our sins. Remember, God has given no salvation to the fallen angelic world, but He has given a plan of salvation to all humanity that is willing to accept it. Say friend, have you taken Christ as your Savior and Lord? Have you called upon Him to save you from your sins as well as the power of demons who want your body and soul? Only Christ can deliver us and He will for all who ask him. The Bible tells us,

John 7:37-38 (NIV)  On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Mat 11:28 (NIV)  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Indeed, Jesus is calling in the midst of spiritual darkness all around us. He will save all who come to Him. So my friend, I’ve shared this little portion of Scripture to tell you how evil fallen demons are, and how diabolical is their plan to destroy the human race. Will you be a statistic? You can break that, by join the wonderful “forever” family of God through Jesus Christ. May God add His blessing to these words for Jesus sake. Amen.

The big question is ¾ Who were the Nephilim? Well they were most likely a corrupt breed of human beings produced by demonic infiltration into the human race. The offspring of which were giants in stature and physical strength and filled with tremendous human and angelic intellect, able to gain recognition and rulership, that is until God destroyed the world that was.