Nephilim (Giants) in the Bible: Is Yahuwah a Genocidal Maniac or Loving Creator?

Nephilim (Giants) in the Bible: Is Yahuwah a Genocidal Maniac or Loving Creator?

By:WLC Team

Time and time again, atheists and agnostics have brought the railing accusation against Yahuwah and against His word,

The God of the Old Testament is a genocidal maniac! He arbitrarily destroyed many nations in the Old Testament for no apparent reason! He surely is not a God of love!

The following passage is often quoted to substantiate this outlandish accusation. Here, Yahuwah commands the Israelites to utterly destroy seven nations:

When Yahuwah thy Elohim shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when Yahuwah thy Elohim shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of Yahuwah be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. (Deuteronomy 7:1-5)
Canaanite Nations (Giants / Nephilim) Before the Israelite Invasion

Nations of Canaan Before the Israelite Invasion
http://www.bible-history.com

The seven nations to be destroyed:

Hittites
Girgashites
Amorites
Canaanites
Perizzites
Hivites
Jebusites

In the following passage, Yahuwah makes a clear distinction between the nations that were to be destroyed (the Canaanite nations) and those that were to be shown mercy.

Show Mercy:

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when Yahuwah thy Elohim hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Yahuwah thy Elohim hath given thee. Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations. (Deuteronomy 20:10-15)

Utterly Destroy:

But of the cities of these people, which Yahuwah thy Elohim doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as Yahuwah thy Elohim hath commanded thee: That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against Yahuwah your Elohim. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18)1

Why did Yahuwah make a distinction between the Canaanite nations and the other nations? Why did He command their utter destruction? Scripture states clearly that the Canaanites' infectious idolatry (Deut. 7:4) was an underlying reason, but there is more here than meets the eye. To understand the bigger picture here, we must back up to the days of Noah. Genesis 6 holds the key:

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. . . . There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of Elohim 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. (Genesis 6:1-2, 4)

perplexed man reading the BibleThe true meaning of this passage has long been buried, and is often overlooked by scholars and Bible students alike. To unlock the meaning of this passage, we must first determine who the "sons of Elohim" are. "Sons of Elohim" in the Hebrew is B'nai HaElohim. This phrase is found in only three other passages in the Old Testament. All three of these occurrences are in the Book of Job.2

Now there was a day when the sons of Elohim came to present themselves before Yahuwah, and Satan came also among them. (Job 1:6)

Again there was a day when the sons of Elohim came to present themselves before Yahuwah, and Satan came also among them to present himself before Yahuwah. (Job 2:1)

Then Yahuwah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy? (Job 38:1-7)

In all of the above passages, the author3 makes abundantly clear that the "sons of Elohim" are angels. What then is Moses telling us in Genesis 6? Plainly stated, Moses is telling us that angels cohabitated with women and that their offspring were giants (Hebrew Nephilim). As strange as this may sound to some, this is what the text says.

The strange events recorded in Genesis 6 were understood by the ancient rabbinical sources, as well as the Septuagint translators, as referring to fallen angels procreating weird hybrid offspring with human women - known as the "Nephilim." So it was also understood by the early church fathers. These bizarre events are also echoed in the legends and myths of every ancient culture upon the earth: the ancient Greeks, the Egyptians, the Hindus, the South Sea Islanders, the American Indians, and virtually all the others.4

Before advancing, let us briefly address some of the problems with the popular "Sethite" interpretation of Genesis 6.

The Sethite theory posits that the "sons of Elohim" are the descendants of Seth and the "daughters of men" are the descendants of Cain. This theory suggests that through the intermarriage of Seth's righteous descendants and Cain's wicked descendants, the world became irreparably corrupted. Consequently, Yahuwah was forced to flood the world and begin again with righteous Noah and his family.

Problem #1: Nowhere in Scripture are the descendants of Seth referred to as the "sons of Elohim" (B'nai HaElohim). B'nai HaElohim is used exclusively to denote angels in the Old Testament. Job 38 is especially clear that the B'nai HaElohim are angels, for what man was present when Yahuwah laid the foundations of the earth?

Then Yahuwah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, . . . Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim [B'nai HaElohim] shouted for joy? (Job 38:1-7)

There is no Scriptural precedence for deducing that the "sons of Elohim" in Genesis 6 are the descendants of Seth.

There is no Scriptural precedence for deducing that the "sons of Elohim" in Genesis 6 are the descendants of Seth.

The "Sons of Seth and daughters of Cain" interpretation strains and obscures the intended grammatical antithesis between the Sons of God and the daughters of Adam. Attempting to impute any other view to the text flies in the face of the earlier centuries of understanding of the Hebrew text among both rabbinical and early church scholarship. The lexicographical antithesis clearly intends to establish a contrast between the "angels" and the women of the Earth.

If the text was intended to contrast the "sons of Seth and the daughters of Cain," why didn't it say so? Seth was not God, and Cain was not Adam. (Why not the "sons of Cain" and the "daughters of Seth?" There is no basis for restricting the text to either subset of Adam's descendants. Further, there exists no mention of daughters of Elohim.)

And how does the "Sethite" interpretation contribute to the ostensible cause for the Flood, which is the primary thrust of the text? The entire view is contrived on a series of assumptions without Scriptural support. . . .

The attempt to apply the term "Sons of Elohim" in a broader sense has no textual basis and obscures the precision of its denotative usage. This proves to be an assumption which is antagonistic to the uniform Biblical usage of the term.5

Another point to consider here is that Scripture does not even say that Seth's descendants were righteous.

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of Yahuwah. (Genesis 4:26)

While the above passage is often cited to prove the righteousness of Seth and his descendants, there are two distinct problems with this assertion: (1) The text says "then began men to call upon the name of Yahuwah." It does not say "then began the descendants of Seth to call upon the name of Yahuwah." (2) In addition to this, many scholars have suggested that this verse is not accurately translated. A more accurate translation would be: "And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to profane the name of Yahuwah."

It must not be dissembled that many eminent men have contended that הוחל huchal, which we translate began, should be rendered began profanely, or then profanation began, and from this time they date the origin of idolatry. Most of the Jewish doctors were of this opinion, and Maimonides has discussed it at some length in his Treatise on Idolatry; as this piece is curious, and gives the most probable account of the origin and progress of idolatry . . . (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible)

The Book of Jasher, which is recommended by Scripture itself (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18), corroborates this understanding.

And Seth lived one hundred and five years, and he begat a son; and Seth called the name of his son Enosh, saying, Because in that time the sons of men began to multiply, and to afflict their souls and hearts by transgressing and rebelling against [Elohim]. And it was in the days of Enosh that the sons of men continued to rebel and transgress against [Elohim], to increase the anger of [Yahuwah] against the sons of men. And the sons of men went and they served other gods, and they forgot [Yahuwah] who had created them in the earth: and in those days the sons of men made images of brass and iron, wood and stone, and they bowed down and served them. And every man made his god and they bowed down to them, and the sons of men forsook [Yahuwah] all the days of Enosh and his children; and the anger of [Yahuwah] was kindled on account of their works and abominations which they did in the earth. (Jasher 2:2-5)

Problem #2: There is absolutely no reason to believe that the "daughters of men" is a specific reference to the descendants of Cain. In context, the "daughters of men" simply denotes earthly women, i.e. the daughters that were born to men as they began to multiply upon the earth.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Genesis 6:1-2)

Problem #3: There is absolutely no reason to believe that the union of Seth's descendants and Cain's descendants would result in giants [Nephilim].

Procreation by parents of differing religious views do not produce unnatural offspring. . . . It was this unnatural procreation and the resulting abnormal creatures that were designated as a principal reason for the judgment of the Flood.

The very absence of any such adulteration of the human genealogy in Noah's case is also documented in Genesis 6:9: Noah's family tree was distinctively unblemished.6

Angels expelled from HeavenProblem #4: The New Testament vindicates the understanding that angels somehow procreated with women in the days of Noah, even commenting on their judgment for this great sin. In the following passage, Peter tells us that prior to the flood, angels sinned and were consequently cast down to hell [Greek Tartarus] to await the judgment.

For if Yahuwah spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:4-5)

In the following passage, Jude echoes Peter's testimony regarding the angels that sinned. Jude compares the sin of these angels to Sodom and Gomorrah, stating explicitly that they gave "themselves over to fornication" and went "after strange flesh."

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. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 1:6-7)

Much more could be said about this, but to further elaborate would be superfluous. The point here is simply that the "sons of Elohim" in Genesis 6 are fallen angels, not men (i.e. the descendants of Seth). To insist that the "sons of Elohim" are actually the "sons of Seth" would simply not be true to the text. If we are to be honest Bible students, we must let Scripture speak for itself. In this, as in all studies, we must without prejudice follow the evidence wherever it leads.

For those who take the Bible seriously, the arguments supporting the "Angel View" appear compelling. For those who indulge in a willingness to take liberties with the straightforward presentation of the text, no defense can prove final.

For those who take the Bible seriously, the arguments supporting the "Angel View" appear compelling. For those who indulge in a willingness to take liberties with the straightforward presentation of the text, no defense can prove final.7

Note: Some object to the angelic incursion interpretation of Genesis 6 on the grounds that "angels cannot marry." The verses presented to support this objection, though, pertain specifically to the angels of heaven and marriage (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:34-36). There is nothing in Scripture that says the rebellious "angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 1:6) are incapable of reproducing.

Now let us examine the larger implications of this understanding and how it relates to Yahuwah's command to destroy the Canaanite nations.

Simply stated, Yahuwah commanded the destruction of the Canaanite nations because they were wholly contaminated with Nephilim (angel/human hybrid) genetics. This was contrary to His plan for humanity, which in the beginning was created in His image. If left unchecked, this genetic contamination would have become so ubiquitous that it would have made it impossible for the Messiah to be born pure and without blemish8. If Yahuwah had not intervened by way of Israel's sword, all bloodlines would ultimately have become contaminated with the Nephilim genes. All hope of salvation through the promised Messiah would have been lost.

Because Scripture does not mention a second angelic incursion9, it must be deduced that the Nephilim genetics most likely survived the flood via Noah's sons' wives on the Ark. Following the flood, the Nephilim genes resurfaced as Noah's family branched out and began to multiply upon the earth. This is evidenced by the Nephilim nations that were thriving in the land of Canaan in the days of Moses and Joshua. While this proposition might come as a shock to many, it is the most reasonable deduction based on the Scriptural evidence.
The Genesis 6 and Post-Flood Order of Events:

(1) Fallen Angels mate with humans (earthly women).

"There were giants [Nephilim] in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of Elohim [Angels] 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." (Genesis 6:4)

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of Elohim [Angels] saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And Yahuwah 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. There were giants [Nephilim] in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of Elohim [Angels] 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. (Genesis 6:1-4)

For many angels of [Elohim] 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. (Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 3, 1.3.1, http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/antiquities-jews/book-1/chapter-3.html)

The understanding that rebellious angels mated with woman before the flood (Genesis 6) was prevalent in the first century, as can be seen in the above quote by Flavius Josephus. It wasn't until the 5th century that the "Sethite" interpretation of Genesis 6 began to take hold.

It was in the 5th century a.d. that the "angel" interpretation of Genesis 6 was increasingly viewed as an embarrassment when attacked by critics. . . .

Celsus and Julian the Apostate used the traditional "angel" belief to attack Christianity. Julius Africanus resorted to the Sethite interpretation as a more comfortable ground. Cyril of Alexandria also repudiated the orthodox "angel" position with the "line of Seth" interpretation. Augustine also embraced the Sethite theory and thus it prevailed into the Middle Ages.10
(2) As a consequence of the angelic incursion mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4, man's heart becomes inexorably entrenched in evil thoughts.

And Elohim 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. And it repented Yahuwah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Genesis 6:5-6)
(3) Yahuwah says that He will have to destroy man from the face of the earth.

And Yahuwah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:7)

Note that Yahuwah says he must also destroy "beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air." Why would so many of the animals also have to be destroyed? The Book of Jasher tells us that after the "judges and rulers" (a likely reference to angels) stole "daughters of men" from their husbands, men began mixing different kinds of animals together. Consequently, even the animals were corrupted.

And their judges and rulers went to the daughters of men and took their wives by force from their husbands according to their choice, and the sons of men in those days took from the cattle of the earth, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and taught the mixture of animals11 of one species with the other, in order therewith to provoke [Yahuwah]; and [Elohim] saw the whole earth and it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon earth, all men and all animals. (Jasher 4:18)

historical depictions of chimeras, giants, and nephilim

Click the image12 to enlarge.
Human, animal hybrids, and Chimeras in the Bible? (non-WLC video)

This explains Moses' repetitive use of the phrase "after his/their kind" when referring to the animals that boarded the Ark. These animals were genetically pure, each after their own kind as Yahuwah intended, and as He created them in the beginning (Genesis 1:20-25).

But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. (Genesis 6:18-20)

In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. (Genesis 7:13-14)

Not only were the animals that entered the Ark genetically pure, but Scripture also tells us that Noah was genetically pure.
(4) Noah is said to be genetically pure.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of Yahuwah. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with Elohim. (Genesis 6:8-9)

The word translated as "perfect" in the above passage is tamiym [Strong's H8549]. In context, this word appears to be a reference not just to Noah's conduct, but to his genetic purity. The Passover lamb and the red heifer, for example, were to be tamiym (without physical blemishes), as were all sin offerings. (See Exodus 12:5, Numbers 19:2, and Leviticus 4:3.)

The very absence of any such adulteration of the human genealogy in Noah's case is also documented in Genesis 6:9: Noah's family tree was distinctively unblemished. The term used, tamiym, is used for physical blemishes.13

The Hebrew word tamim means without blemish, and is the technical word for bodily and physical perfection, and not moral. Hence it is used of animals of sacrificial purity. It is rendered without blemish in Exodus 12:5; 29:1. Leviticus 1:3,10; 3:1,6; 4:3,23,28,32; 5:15,18; 6:6; 9:2,3; 14:10; 22:19; 23:12,18. Numbers 6:14; 28:19,31; 29:2,8,13,20,23,29,32,36. Ezekiel 43:22,23,25; 45:18,23; 46:4,6,13. Without spot. Numbers 19:2; 28:3,9,11; 29:17,26. Undefiled. Psalms 119:1. This shows that Genesis 6:9 does not speak of Noah's moral perfection, but tells us that he and his family alone had preserved their pedigree and kept it pure, in spite of the prevailing corruption brought about by the fallen angels. [emphasis original] 14
(5) Noah begat three genetically pure sons.

And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Genesis 6:10)

According to the Book of Jasher, Noah took one of Enoch's daughters as a wife.

. . . Noah went and took a wife, and he chose Naamah the daughter of Enoch, and she was five hundred and eighty years old. And Noah was four hundred and ninety-eight years old, when he took Naamah for a wife. (Jasher 5:15-16)

Given Enoch's unassailably righteous track record (Genesis 5:18-24), it is reasonable to conclude that Noah's wife (Enoch's daughter) was genetically pure and, consequently, so were Noah's sons.


(6) It is stated that the earth and all flesh had become corrupted.

The earth also was corrupt before Elohim, and the earth was filled with violence. And Elohim looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (Genesis 6:11-12)
(7) Yahuwah says that He will destroy all flesh.

And Elohim said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13)
( Noah is instructed to build an Ark.

Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. (Genesis 6:14-17)
(9) Scripture mentions Noah's sons' wives for the first time.

But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. (Genesis 6:18)

It is critically important to note here that Moses makes no mention of Noah's sons' wives until after:

It is clearly established that all flesh had become corrupted. (Genesis 6:11-12)
Yahuwah says that He will destroy all flesh. (Genesis 6:13)
Noah is instructed to build an Ark. (Genesis 6:14-17)

This strongly suggests that Noah's sons' wives were not genetically pure. They were likely carrying at least a trace of the Nephilim gene. This is evidenced by three facts: (1) The giants reemerged after the flood, without a second angelic incursion. (2) Noah was genetically pure, and the contextual evidence suggests that his sons were also. (3) There was no mention of the wives until after it was stated that all flesh had become corrupted. (The Book of Jasher corroborates this understanding by telling us that the wives were not chosen until after the Ark was built. See Jasher 5:33-35.)

Again, while this proposition might come as a shock to many, it is the most reasonable deduction based on the Scriptural evidence.

[Note: Carrying the Nephilim gene (like any gene) does not guarantee that it will be passed on to the offspring. In the case of Ham's sons, especially Canaan, it clearly was. The historical record suggests that Japheth's son, Magog, may also have inherited the gene. There is no evidence, though, that the gene manifested in Shem's offspring. It is also important to note here that one cannot repent of who their parents are. Noah's sons' wives would not automatically be condemned if they were born with a trace of Nephilim DNA.]
(10) Yahuwah floods the earth. (See Genesis 7-8.)

Noah's Ark

(11) Nephilim (giants) reemerge after the flood.

The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

And there we saw the giants [Hebrew Nephilim: the same word used by Moses in Genesis 6:4], the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. (Numbers 13:29-33)

Note that the nations of "giants" (Nephilim) listed here are all Canaanite nations (meaning that they all descended from Noah's grandson, Cannaan) and are the ones that Yahuwah commanded Israel to utterly destroy. While only four of the seven Canaanite nations are mentioned here by the spies, it would have been understood that the remaining three (the Girgashites, the Perizzites, and the Hivites) were included, as they were part of Canaan. It is likely that the spies did not mention the Girgashites, the Perizzites, and the Hivites by name because of the route that they took when they spied out the land. The spies came in through the wilderness of Zin in the south and then proceeded northward as far as Rehob.

So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol [Valley of Eshcol], and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. (Numbers 13:21-25)

Path of the spies when investigating Canaan (land of the Nephilim) in Numbers 13

Click the image to enlarge.

While the Canaanite nations were not the only nations of giants (Nephilim), they were by far the largest and collectively occupied more land than any of the smaller tribes.

Below are some of the other tribes of giants mentioned in Scripture:
Fossilized Irish Giant

Fossilized Irish giant discovered during mining operations in County Antrim, Ireland (circa 1876): He was 12'2" tall and had six toes on his right foot. Scripture makes mention of giants (Rephaim) with 6 digits: "And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant [H7498: râphâ']." (2 Samuel 21:20; See also 1 Chron. 20:6.)

The Rephaims: The term "Rephaim" appears in Scripture to be generally applied to all of the Canaanite tribes.15 Og, the Amorite king of Bashan, belonged to the remnant of the Rephaims: "Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. . . . For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants [H7497: rapha']; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [13.5 feet16] was the length thereof, and four cubits [6 feet] the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man." (Deuteronomy 3:1, 11) The children of Israel, at Yahuwah's command, destroyed every city in Bashan and all of the inhabitants.

The Anakim: The Anakim were descendants of Anak, the son of Arba (Joshua 15:13; 21:11) and dwelt in the southern part of Canaan. The children of Israel, under Joshua's command, destroyed many of the Anakim and their cities. Some, however, escaped to Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (Joshua 11:21-23). David and his men later encountered several of the Anakim from Gath, the most prominent being Goliath (1 Samuel 17:3-7; 2 Samuel 21:20-22).

The Zuzims (the Zamzummim): The Zuzims, presumed by many Bible commentators to be the same as the Zamzummim, dwelt in the area of ancient Ammon. Yahuwah destroyed the Zuzims so that the children of Lot could possess the land. (Deut. 2:19-21)

The Emims: The Emims dwelt in the area of ancient Moab. Yahuwah destroyed the Emims so that the children of Lot could possess the land. (Deut. 2:10-12)

The Horites: The Horites (Horims) dwelt in the area of ancient Edom. Yahuwah destroyed the Horites so that the children of Esau could possess the land. (Deut. 2:12, 21-22)

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "It is probable that they [the Rephaim, the Anakim, the Zamzummim, and the Emims] were all of the same stock, being given different names by the different tribes who came in contact with them." The Scriptural and geographical affiliation of the Horites with the other tribes suggests that they too were part of the larger stock.

Note: All of the above tribes were involved in the Genesis 14 war. This was no ordinary conflict; this was a battle of men and giants (Nephilim)! This understanding is corroborated by the writings of the first century historian, Flavius Josephus, who states that the "offspring of the giants" were overthrown in this battle.17


(12) Yahuwah tells Israel to destroy the Nephilim nations, while showing mercy to the others.

Show Mercy:

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when Yahuwah thy Elohim hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Yahuwah thy Elohim hath given thee. Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations. (Deuteronomy 20:10-15)

Destroy the Nephilim nations:

But of the cities of these people, which Yahuwah thy Elohim doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as Yahuwah thy Elohim hath commanded thee: That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against Yahuwah your Elohim. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18)

When Yahuwah thy Elohim shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when Yahuwah thy Elohim shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of Yahuwah be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. (Deuteronomy 7:1-5)
ALT TEXT

An Encyclopedia of Giants, by Stephen Quayle

Guarding the seed...

Note Yahuwah's clear command not to intermarry with the Nephilim nations:

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. (Deuteronomy 7:3)

This clearly suggests that Father Yahuwah was guarding the seed through which the Messiah was to come. He absolutely forbade Israel to cohabitate with the Canaanite nations. Another compelling proof of this inference is found in the fact that Yahushua's earthly lineage came through Judah's union with his daughter-in-law, Tamar, rather than through the children he had with his Canaanite wife!

And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. . . . And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was told Tamar [Judah's daughter-in-law], saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; . . . When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way . . . and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. . . . And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah. (See Genesis 38.)

The book of the generation of Yahushua the Anointed, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas [Judah] begat Phares [Pharez] and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; . . . (Matthew 1:1-3; See also Luke 3:33.)

One final evidence of Yahuwah's intention to prevent Israel's seed from becoming tainted with the Canaanite's Nephilim genetics is found in His providential gathering of Israel to the land of Egypt where, isolated, they could grow in strength and in numbers. More than 400 years before the Exodus, Yahuwah told Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in another land (Egypt), but would return there (Canaan) once "the iniquity of the Amorites" was full.

And He [Yahuwah] said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Genesis 15:13-16, emphasis supplied)

Immediately after this, we read that Yahuwah made a covenant with Abraham in which He promised to give the land occupied by the Amorites and other Nephilim to his descendants.

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day Yahuwah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (Genesis 15:17)

It appears here that Father Yahuwah was allowing the Canaanite nations (Nephilim) to grow in strength and numbers as well, so that in His perfect timing, He could eradicate the seed of rebellion and show Himself mighty through the hand of the Israelites who remained faithful.

The Father's command to destroy the Canaanite nations was anything but arbitrary. Far from being a random act of genocide, the annihilation of the Canaanites was a remarkable act of unparalleled providence and selfless love.
Conclusion:

The Father's command to destroy the Canaanite nations was anything but arbitrary. Far from being a random act of genocide, the annihilation of the Canaanites was a remarkable act of unparalleled providence and selfless love. Had Father Yahuwah allowed the idolatrous Nephilim nations to continue unimpeded, the entire earth would again have become corrupted, and the bloodline of the promised Messiah would have become polluted, making it impossible for us to be saved.

[I]t makes perfect sense why [Yahuwah] may have allowed microscopic genetic codes (i.e. a remnant of genetic information) to survive — just long enough for His people to wipe them out. Why? Because . . . it was through the heroic acts of the Hebrew people that the whole post-Flood world came to fear them and YHVH, their [Elohim] — the one true [Elohim] of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. [Yahuwah] got the glory through His chosen people and this new nation of “giant slayers” stood as a testimony to all other nations of the awesome power and truth of the living Creator of heaven and earth.

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, “ I know that [Yahuwah] has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how [Yahuwah] dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for [Yahuwah your Elohim], He is [Elohim] in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Joshua 2:8-11)

When you consider what this tiny nation did to entire cultures of massive post-Flood giants, it is very easy to see why [Yahuwah] “allowed” Nephilim genetics to survive — long enough to be wiped out by His people. In so doing, [Yahuwah] demonstrated to the world and to the fallen angels what people in right relationship with Him can do.18

Praise Yahuwah's matchless name now and forever. He who knows the end from the beginning is just and righteous in all His ways!

Much more could be said regarding the details of the angelic incursion of Genesis 6, but it is not in the scope of this particular study to advance beyond what has already been expounded upon. The point here is succinctly stated in the above conclusion.


The Book of Enoch

Many contend that Enoch's Book of Watchers is a trustworthy source of insight into the angelic incursion. WLC neither advocates nor denies this possibility, but has endeavored to show from Scripture alone the true nature of the Genesis 6 controversy. While the Book of Jasher has periodically been used in this study to expound upon some of the points, it is not at all necessary to prove the reality of the angelic incursion and its repercussions. The Bible, alone, is irrefutably sufficient.
The Days of Noah

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37)

When viewed in this new light, the implications of this prophetic warning take on an even greater meaning.

In the days of Noah, all flesh had become corrupt through the abominable and forbidden practice of mixing unlike kinds. Nephilim/giants (Genesis 6:4) and chimeras (Jasher 4:18) resulted from unholy unions and high-handed rebellion. Today, we are again seeing these detestable acts! "Scientists" are presumptuously manipulating and corrupting human and animal genetics; they are, without apology, marring that which Yahuwah pronounced "very good" in the beginning (Genesis 1:31). Truly, we are living in the "days of Noah."

Here are just a few of the atrocious undertakings of modern science.

rat with human ear
rats with human brains
pig-human chimera
tomatoes with fish genes
rabbit eggs with human cells
tobacco plants with firefly genes
sheep with human hearts - 15% human-animal chimera

Not only is the mixture of humans and animals becoming common practice, but GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are fast becoming the standard for food production and consumption. GMOs are surely an affront to Yahuwah! Men, practicing that which is falsely called "science," boasting that they can improve on that which Yahuwah declared "very good" is preposterous and is a clear sign of the times in which we live.

Many Bible students and Nephilim researchers today are convinced that we are going to see a return of the Nephilim in these last days. This is certainly possible, and all things considered, is even likely. "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." (Luke 17:26) May Yahuwah strengthen our hearts and give us wisdom in the days ahead.

Related Content:

#Nephilim (Content Directory)
Genesis 6 and the Giants/Nephilim (Q&A)
How can you be certain that the "sons of Elohim" in Genesis 6 are not the "sons of Seth"?

*All quoted Scripture is KJV with the sacred Names supplied.

1 The Girgashites are omitted from the Deuteronomy 20 list of Canaanite nations, but are included in the following: Deuteronomy 7, Joshua 3:10, and Joshua 24:11.

2 "Sons of Elohim" (B'nai HaElohim) is found in 5 Old Testament passages: Genesis 6:2; Genesis 6:4; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7

3 Moses is generally accredited with the authorship of Job.

4 Chuck Missler, Textual Controversy: Mischievous Angels or Sethites?, http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/110/.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid.

8 Yahushua, as the antitypical "Lamb of Yahuwah," had to be without blemish. "Your [Passover] lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats." (Exodus 12:5) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

9 Some have posited that there was a second angelic incursion, meaning that angels mated with women both before and after the flood. The evidence, however, suggests that that this happened only once. For more on this, kindly refer to Archon Invasion: The Rise Fall and Return of the Nephilim by Rob Skiba, pp. 31-64.

10 Chuck Missler, Textual Controversy: Mischievous Angels or Sethites?, http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/110/.

11 Legends of chimeras (organisms containing a mixture of genetically different tissues, e.g. people mixed with animals, different kinds of animals mixed together, etc.) are prominent throughout recorded history. While many have dismissed these stories as fiction, the truth is that chimeras were (and perhaps are) a reality. (Jasher 4:18; 36:32; 61:25) "Human,animal hybrids and Chimeras in the Bible?"

12 (1) The bronze "Chimera of Arezzo" is one of the best known examples of the art of the Etruscans. (400 BC)
(2) "Centaur..." by Laurent Marqueste (French, 1850–1920). Marble, 1892. In the Tuileries Gardens, Paris.
(3) Great Sphinx of Giza
(4) Chimera statue at Fontaine Saint Michel, Paris, France.
(5) Egyptian Griffin
(6) Griffin vase, trefoil-mouth oinochoe, 420BC-400BC, Made in: Attica (Europe, Greece, Attica (Greece))
(7) Theseus fighting the Minotaur by Étienne-Jules Ramey (French, 1796–1852). Marble, 1826. In the Tuileries Gardens, Paris.
( The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III is a black limestone Neo-Assyrian bas-relief sculpture from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), in northern Iraq, commemorating the deeds of King Shalmaneser III (reigned 858-824 BC). Detail view of two different plaster casts.
(9) Assyrian Shedu

13 Chuck Missler, Textual Controversy: Mischievous Angels or Sethites?, http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/110/.

14 Dr. E. W. Bullinger, Appendixes To The Companion Bible, Appendix 26, http://www.markfoster.net/rn/companion_bible_appendices.pdf.

15 It is possible that "Raphah was the tribe-father of the Rephaim, an ancient tribe of gigantic stature, of whom only a few families were left even in Moses’ time." Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 2, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 2006, p. 680.

16 Og's bed was about 13.5 feet long and about 6 feet wide. This is a conservative estimation based on an 18" cubit.

17 Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 9, 1.9.1, http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/antiquities-jews/book-1/chapter-9.html

18 Rob Skiba, Archon Invasion: The Rise, Fall and Return of the Nephilim, 2012, pp. 157-158.