Genesis 6:4 What were the Nephilim?

Question

Religious scholars seem to think they were actually giants or angels. Atheists disregard every word of the bible as baloney. Is there some possibility that these Nephilim are our evolutionary ancestors? The "Missing Link" of evolution? What happened to them? Did we hunt them down and grind up their bones?

Given my observations of reality, thus far, (there have not been any angels, demons, or whatever in the world)
Thomas Paine has given the only answer that could possibly be true (out of the first nine answers.) But why would you call someone of a different race "Sons of God" and try to destroy them?

Also, Chippy makes a good point. If they were Sons of God, what makes them different from Jesus? And Jesus is God's only begotten son, so what the...? Oh, maybe these weren't begotten.

Answer 1

(Neph′i·lim) [Fellers; Those Who Cause [Others] to Fall Down].

This is a transliteration of the Hebrew word nephi·lim′, plural in its three occurrences in the Bible. (Ge 6:4; Nu 13:33 [twice]) It evidently stems from the causative form of the Hebrew verb na·phal′ (fall) as found, for example, in 2 Kings 3:19; 19:7.

The Bible account describing Jehovah’s displeasure with men in the days of Noah before the Flood relates that “the sons of the true God” took for themselves wives from among the attractive daughters of men. It then mentions the presence of “Nephilim,” saying: “The Nephilim proved to be in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of the true God continued to have relations with the daughters of men and they bore sons to them, they were the mighty ones [Heb., hag·gib·bo·rim′] who were of old, the men of fame.”—Ge 6:1-4.

Identity. Bible commentators, considering verse 4, have offered several suggestions as to the identity of these Nephilim. Some have thought that the derivation of the name indicates that the Nephilim had fallen from heaven, that is, that they were ‘fallen angels’ who mated with women to produce “mighty ones . . . the men of fame.” Other scholars, focusing their attention particularly on the statement “and also after that” (vs 4), have said the Nephilim were not the ‘fallen angels’ or the “mighty ones,” since the Nephilim “proved to be in the earth in those days” before the sons of God had relations with women. These latter scholars hold the opinion that the Nephilim were simply wicked men like Cain—robbers, bullies, and tyrants who roamed the earth until they were destroyed by the Flood. Still another group, taking into consideration the context of verse 4, conclude that the Nephilim were not themselves angels, but were the hybrid offspring resulting from materialized angels having intercourse with the daughters of men.

Same as “gib·bo·rim′.” Certain Bible translations adjust the location of the phrase “and also after that,” placing it near the beginning of verse 4, thus identifying the Nephilim with the “mighty ones,” the gib·bo·rim′, mentioned in the latter part of the verse. For example: “In those days, as well as afterward, there were giants [Heb., han·nephi·lim′] on the earth, who were born to the sons of the gods whenever they had intercourse with the daughters of men; these were the heroes [Heb., hag·gib·bo·rim′] who were men of note in days of old.”—Ge 6:4, AT; see also Mo, NIV, and TEV.

The Greek Septuagint also suggests that both the “Nephilim” and “mighty ones” are identical by using the same word gi′gan·tes (giants) to translate both expressions.

Reviewing the account, we see that verses 1 to 3 tell of “the sons of the true God” taking wives and of Jehovah’s statement that he was going to end his patience with men after 120 years. Verse 4 then speaks of the Nephilim proving to be in the earth “in those days,” evidently the days when Jehovah made the statement. Then it shows that this situation continued “after that, when the sons of the true God continued to have relations with the daughters of men,” and describes in more detail the results of the union of “the sons of the true God” with women.

Answer 2

Nephilims most often referred to as Giants. Were the offspring of angels and feminine human. (Genesis 6:a million-four). They had been intended to be incorporated in folks who will drown throughout the flood in Noah's time. But for unknown rationale, a few giants nonetheless exist within the Old Testament after the fine flood. a million. The Rephaites (Gen 15:20; Deut two:21) two. The Anakites (Num 19:33) three. The Emites (Deut two;10-eleven) And of path the popular Goliath, he was once supposedly a descendant of the Anakim. Because Goliath was once from Gath (one in every of 5 town states of the Philistine) You are correct 'sons of God' had been angels. 'Son of God' was once Jesus Christ. Those angels had been the fallen angels. And the angels which saved no longer their first property, however left their possess habitation, he hath reserved in permanent chains beneath darkness unto the judgment of the fine day. (Jude a million:6) upload: sons of God as angels: Job a million:6; Job 38:7; Ps eighty two:6 A†?™

Answer 3

I think a popular idea is that they are the offspring of fallen angels and women. They all should have been wiped out in the flood. But, there is some speculation that some may have survived because of a remark made by some of the Israelite spies as they reported on their trip into the promised land, before Moses died. They reported Nephilim in the land (Nu13:33)

Answer 4

The Nephilim are really the symbols of the soul in man which came into incarnation some 18 million years ago.They are as well some of the greatest world teachers who have come forward down the ages to teach the human race in the more finer things in life such as,the arts, science,agriculture,magic,politics and so on. They are not the enemies of man but are the true liberators of the human condition.

Answer 5

The Bible tells you that King David slew these people. God was glad and Satan got mad. These fallen angels left their first abode and took the daughters of men as wives. Nephilim could have Neanderthal children.

God flooded and destroyed the world of Noah because of them. They bring severe wickedness and hatred into the world of man.

Answer 6

In the first book of the old testament of the bible there is a part about the great flood that covered the earth. this can also be prove by people called rock hunters that look at the layers of the earth and they found every were at about the same layer the same thing has happened.

Answer 7

biblically speaking they were the offspring of [fallen] angels and man. they were giant in stature (numbers 13:33) and considered to be heroes of old, men of renown (genesis 6:4).

which if you think about it, the only difference between a nephilim and jesus is that jesus wasnt considered giant in stature.

the story of david and goliath, goliath was supposedly a nephilim.

Answer 8

Some possibility is that Hebrews considered all other races (not to be sons of God) This might be the origin of racism, or the reason we have the specific geneology of makind being so challenging.

Answer 9

According to mythology, a nephilim is a demon, thats all I know.

Answer 10

it is popularly believed that the Nephilim were fallen angels.