The Nephilim are beings that are rarely mentioned in the Bible and are therefore the subject of speculative and fanciful interpretations of the Bible. When they are mentioned, the Bible does not give a strong description of them. The Nephilim are depicted in some non-biblical texts from the Second Temple period in Jerusalem. While such texts are often useful in developing a better understanding of how the people of the period thought about God and their own particular circumstances, it is unreasonable to assume that such texts provide detailed insight into the Nephilim, who are relatively mysterious beings.
Therefore, we must admit that the rather fantastical claims about the Nephilim today (just search YouTube) and their role in pointing to the end times are at best speculation and at worst distractions rather than providing any concrete truth. , they play on our tendency to sensationalism.
What do we know about the Nephilim? – Genesis 6:1-4
Only twice are the Nephilim specifically mentioned, in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33. Neither of these two sections provide much description. Genesis 6:1-4 has a number of interpretive problems that challenge any meaningful description of the Nephilim. For example, scholars often question whether the Nephilim are the same “mighty men of old, men of renown” referred to in Genesis 4:6, or are separate entities.
Can we understand Genesis 6:1-4 without understanding the Nephilim?
So what are Christians to make of the rather odd account of Genesis 6:1-4? First of all, I suggest you look at the narratives before and after Genesis 6:1-4 before looking specifically at 6:1-4. In doing so, we find some useful connections that may not lead us to any particular explanation of the Nephilim, but help us understand the main thrust of Genesis 6:1-4 (which seems to It should be our main goal anyway).
Connection 1: “For the sons of men multiplied on the earth, and daughters were born to them…” (Genesis 6:1)
In Genesis 1:28, we see that reproduction was part of God’s original purpose for mankind. Therefore, the reproduction of mankind is most likely not the main problem in Genesis 6:1. Flooding was not a solution to overpopulation. However, in Genesis 6:5, we see an unfortunate increase in human wickedness. A connection between “abound” and “abound” is suggested by the underlying Hebrew. Here we see that reproduction, which was part of God’s original plan, leads to an abominable state with the fall of man.
Connection 2: “The sons of God saw the daughters of Adam that they were good, and took them…” (Genesis 6:2)
It is important to pay attention to the combination of “saw”, “good/good” and “received”. The Hebrew word often translated as “beautiful” or “attractive” is the feminine form of the word found throughout Genesis 1, when God sees His creation as good (e.g., 1:4, 10 , 12). “Seeing” in this case includes judgment. It is the review and evaluation of what has been created.
The pattern of seeing something as good is also found in Genesis 3:6, where the woman exercises judgment independently of and in opposition to God. His assessment is different from God’s assessment. In that context, we also see the woman acting on her own judgment by “taking” the fruit and eating it (Genesis 5:3). The actions of the “sons of God” are a reflection of the actions of the woman. They also see, evaluate and take, so they cross a line and act according to human judgment which is different from God’s order.
Genesis 6:5 also connects to verse 1 and highlights the contrasting judgment of man and God. God looks at the earth and does not see that mankind is “good”, but rather sees that “man’s wickedness had become great in the earth…” God’s assessment of what was happening to mankind eventually led to the flood.
Today in the article : Are Biblical Nephilim Present Today as an Indicator of the End Times? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
