The Nephilim
Ray
Yahweh's children and man [1] and that they still exist [2]. The
Nepthilim are described as something that the children of Yahweh both
respected and feared. Commentators attribute the Nepthilim as physical
giants, but as Yahweh's Word concerns the spiritual understanding of
who and what we are to Him, could the Nephilim be a description of
people who take the word of Yahweh and use it to control others such
that the religions of man strive to do?
Shalom,
Ray
1. Genesis 6:4
2. Numbers 13:33
Yochannan
Who were the Nephilim of Gen. 6:1-4, and who are the sons of g-d?
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The sons of g-d
There are a lot of stories and fables concerning the passage in
Genesis 6:1-4. We have all heard of those who believe that the sons of
"g-d" (Gen. 6:2) were fallen messages (angels), who kept not their
first estate, and had relations with the daughters of men resulting
in some super-human corrupted being. These fables make good stories,
but that is all they are, stories. The truth lies in Scripture, but
requires a correct analysis of the applicable passage involved
(exegesis), and not relying on the fables, or stories promoted by
men.
Some others hold, since angels are sexless, (without the need to
procreate, the words "took them wives" must signify some kind of a
lasting marriage, and that the reference must have to do with the
break down and the separation of the g-dly line of Seth from the un-g-
dly line of Cain. A refinement of this last view would hold, that the
expression "sons of g-d" would refer to the g-dly folks, while
"daughters of men" refers to the un-g-dly. It is our position at the
Assembly of Yahweh, Cascade, that both these views are incorrect.
What we do know from other scriptures, is, that "celestial" messengers
(angels) are indeed sexless beings. Yahshua indicated such in Matt.
22:30, and in Mk 12:25. Messengers of Yahweh, are NOT given in
marriage; they are ministering spirits that can become visible and be
seen in the "semblance" of the human form, (Gen. 19:1). They always
have masculine gender, and they can have access to inconceivable power
(2 Kings 19:35), power given to them by Yahweh, for His purpose. Their
primary place is about the throne of Yahweh, (Rev. 5:11; 7:11).
We must also understand that Yahweh is in complete control of all His
creation, and His messengers (those created to serve Him). He (Yahweh)
says, "My counsel does stand, and all My delight I do" (Isa.46:
10)..... also "I have created the waster to destroy" (Isa.54:
16)....and also, He is... "working all matters according to the
counsel of His desire," (Eph.1: 11).
How errors occure
One of the words we find most often in modern translations, that tends
to completely confuse passages like Gen. 6:2, is the ancient Canaanite
idol name of "Gawd," (in English it is "g-d, or g-d). In the Heb.of vs
2, the phrase "sons of g-d" does NOT translate as "sons" of the
"Original Originator, The Almighty Creator, whose name is YHWH
(Yahweh)." The Heb. term "elohim" (here with the article), has the
meaning "sons of the mighty ones," like as "magistrates." These are
simply man-kind-like (not adamic-man) terrestrial people with
considerable local authority. Their ruling power was enough to
influence the local population, force their mandate and evil on both
adamic-man, and on the other man-kind-like pre-adamic races of the
time. These "sons of g-d," are not some fallen mystical spiritual
being(s), or some super celestial fallen messenger(s), for the
messengers (angels) of Yahweh are always under His complete control.
The Nephilim
The sentence referring to the "Nephilim" incorrectly translated
"giants" in many modern English translations (Gen. 6:4) is (we
believe) inserted by the author of Genesis, to establish a historical
time line, or reference point; the period during which the "sons of
the mighty ones" began having unlawful relations with "the daughters
of the adamic-man." The Nephilim we are told, "came to be in the land
"in those days" (before the flood), "and also afterward" (were there
after the flood).
A carefully considered reading of Gen. 6: 4, will show, that the
"Nephilim" were not involved sexually with the daughters of the adamic-
man, but that the Nephilim existed as part of the local population
during the time the miscegenation between the "sons of the mighty
ones," occured with the "daughters of the adamic-man." The result
was---Yahweh removing of His spirit power and influence, out of what
had become a "corrupted adamic-man bloodline"; establishing a limited
life span to fall within 120 years, and the eventual destruction of
all of the corrupted (mixed blood) descendants of the adamic-man
through a regional flood, saving only Noah (and his family), who was
pure (unadulterated) in his genealogy, (his adamic bloodline was
pure), (Gen. 6:8-9). This was the beginning of a recovered family of
sons who had a pure Adamic bloodline, (Gen. 9:1); the selected remnant
of the pure blood-line of adamic-men in, and with whom the spirit
power and influence of the Creator Yahweh would, and could again
dwell.
The last line of verse 4 closes with the thought that continues the
narration of the first sentence; the addition of a physical
description (identification) of the Nephilim; that they are from an
ancient age most would not recall (possibly from pre-adamic time);
that they are a strong powerful race, having a conspicuous disposition
(a bully temperament). They are recognized because they had made a
name for themselves, not because they were the good guys, but because
they practiced "over-powering" other peoples, and races. The Nephilim
were mostly destroyed by Israel during the conquest of Canaan, and
completely wiped of the face of the earth during battle by David's
elite warriors.
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A translation of Gen. 6:1-4. (Note: Numbers indicated as "<0120>" are
Strong's Hebrew reference numbers)
1 And it came to be, that the adamic-man 1 <0120> began <02490> to be
multitudinous <07231> upon <05921> the face
<06440> of the soil <0127>, and daughters <01323> are born <03205> to
them.
2 And seeing <07200> are the sons <01121> of the mighty ones 2 <0430>,
the daughters <01323> of the
adamic-man <0120>, ------- 3 that they <02007> are good <02896>; and
they are taking <03947> to themselves women
<0802> of all whom they select <0977>.
3 And saying, <0559> is YHWH <03068> "My life breath 4 <07307> will
not continually <05769> contend 5
<01777> in the adamic-man <0120>, in their going astray:6 <07683>
<01320>------- and his days <03117> shall
be a hundred <03967> and twenty <06242> years <8141>.
4 Now, the Nephilim 7<05303> come to be in the land <0776> in those
days, <03117>; and also afterward, <0310>
when <03651> coming <0834> are the sons <01121> of the mighty ones
<0430>, to the <0935> daughters <01323> of
the adamic-man <0120>, and they bare <03205> for them, -------- they
<01992> are the powerful ones 8 <01368>,
who are from an ancient time 9 <05769>, mortals 10 <0582> of the name
11 <08034>.
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Footnotes:
1). Heb. 'adamah' (with the article), from which the term "adamic-man"
is derived. Without the article, this would be the proper name of the
first man ('Adam) of the adamic race of people.
2). Heb. 'Elohim' is a plural noun, but often functions as a
collective singular, taking a singular verb. It is related to the
Hebrew terms: 'eloah and 'el, meaning - the powerful one, or the
mighty one (with the article, a description), or Mighty One, (without
the article, a title). It can refer to judge(s), leader(s), ruler(s),
celestial beings, g-ds of nations, or to the One Creator of Israel.
Here with the article we translate it as 'the mighty one' (those who
are distinguished from out of the common population) of the various
pre-adamic races of people.
3). --------- This 'line' Indicates and reproduces, the location of an
important textual and/or context divisions in the ancient Hebrew
manuscripts.
4). Heb. 'ruach' lit "wind" to translate this word "spirit" is
conjecture.
5). In the sense of 'judge,' or possibly "abide."
6). Or possibly "in that he is also flesh" (meaning is uncertain).
7). The meaning is uncertain, as the root verb is unclear; possibly
"cast-down, or fallen ones" (during battle), "miscarried ones,"
"distinguished ones," "wonderful ones," or "mighty ones, strong ones
(of the ruling class, not for intelligence, but because of their
ability to over-power others)," used only here and Num. 13:33. This
Heb. word does not translate "giant," and to do so is conjecture.
Content in Num. 13:33 may indicate that these 'sons of Anaq' may also
have been a race with large size and stature.
8). Heb. 'powerful' as in warrior, or possibly as a "tyrant, or
trouble maker."
9). Heb. Lit "from an age" 'concealed' possibly "a time out of
mind" (in the past or in the future).
10). Heb. 'ish in the plural. Ancient man-kind-like, used with great
latitude, lacking the nature of the adamic-man, more in the nature of
the Neandertal.
11). Heb. 'name' with the idea of an appellation, a distinctive well
known, or famous position (from their attitude to others).
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ANAKIM, NEANDERTAL-LIKE BEINGS (also known as Nephilim)
Anthropologists have found human-like bones that they have called
Neandertal (or Neanderthal) in Palestine and in Europe. These beings
were living contemporary to ("the modern man"), according to the
findings. Does Scripture say something about them?...
Deut 1:28: Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our
heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities
are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons
of the Anakims (first occurrence; elsewhere, 2.10,11,21; 9.2, Josh.
11.21,22;14.12,15, for "sons of Anak", and Anak in Hebrew is a
primitive root that means properly to choke, to suffocate, to
strangle. Members of the Canaanite tribes.
This scripture is connected with the next scripture regarding the same
issue:
Num 13:32: 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.
Num 13:33: And there we saw the giants (Heb. Nephilim), the sons of
Anak (the strangler, or the neck), which come of the giants (Heb.
Nephilim): and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we
were in their sight.
Num 14:1: And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried;
and the people wept that night.
The other scripture that uses the Hebrew word Nephilim is: Gen 6:4
(see above)
More Anakim references in the Book of Deuteronomy:
Deut 2:9: And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites,
neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their
land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of
Lot for a possession.
Deut 2:10: The Emims (Terrible ones, a name given them by the
Moabites. Gen. 14.5. A race of Nephilim) dwelt therein in times past,
a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims (the stranglers,
sons of Anak, the strangler);
Deut 2:11: Which also were accounted giants (Heb. Rephaim, another
name for the Nephilim, from one Rapha. Connected with healing and with
Egypt (Gen. 50:2)), as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims
(Terrible ones).
Deut 2:12: The Horims (cave-dweller or troglodyte, a Chorite or
aboriginal Idumaean, another race or name for the Nephilim, Gen. 14.6)
also dwelt in Seir before time; but the children of Esau succeeded
them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in
their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which YHWH
gave unto them.
And:
Deut 2:19: And when thou comest nigh over against the children of
Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give
thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I
have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.
Deut 2:20: [That also was accounted a land of giants (Heb. Rephaim):
giants (Heb. Rephaim) dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites
call them Zamzummims (Noisy ones, a name given to them by the
Ammonites);
Deut 2:21: A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims
(stranglers); but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they
succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:
Deut 2:22: As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir,
when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded
them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:
Deut 2:23: And the Avims (a primitive root that means to crook as to
do amiss, commit iniquity, pervert, to do wickedly, to overthrow,
another name for these Nephilim. Josh. 13.3. Ava was later a region of
Assyria, 2 K. 17.24) which dwelt in Hazerim (a place in Palestine),
even unto Azzah (also a place in Palestine), the Caphtorims, which
came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.]
And also:
Deut 9:1: Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go
in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great
and fenced up to heaven,
Deut 9:2: A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims (the
stranglers), whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who
can stand before the children of Anak (the strangler)!
Deut 9:3: Understand therefore this day, that YHWH thy Elohim is he
which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy
them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou
drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as YHWH hath said unto thee.
Deut 9:4: Speak not thou in thine heart, after that YHWH thy Elohim
hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness YHWH
hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of
these nations YHWH doth drive them out from before thee.
Deut 9:5: Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine
heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of
these nations YHWH thy Elohim doth drive them out from before thee,
and that he may perform the word which YHWH sware unto thy fathers,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deut 9:6: Understand therefore, that YHWH thy Elohim giveth thee not
this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a
stiffnecked people.
Anakim references in the Book of Joshua:
Josh 11:20: For it was of YHWH to harden their hearts, that they
should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them
utterly, and that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy
them, as YHWH commanded Moses.
Josh 11:21: And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims
(stranglers) from the mountains, from Hebron (a place in Palestine,
meaning "the confederacy"), from Debir (a place in Palestine), from
Anab (also a place in Palestine), and from all the mountains of Judah,
and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly
with their cities.
Josh 11:22: There was none of the Anakims (stranglers) left in the
land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza (a place in Palestine),
in Gath (a Philistine city, from the Canaanite tribes, place of
Goliath and his relatives, 1 Sam. 17; 2 Sam. 21.15-22), and in Ashdod
(a place in Palestine), there remained.
Josh 11:23: So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that YHWH
said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel
according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from
war.
And in:
Josh 14:10: And now, behold, YHWH hath kept me alive, as he said,
these forty and five years, even since YHWH spake this word unto
Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and
now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five (85) years old.
Josh 14:11: As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that
Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now,
for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Josh 14:12: Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof YHWH spake in
that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims (stranglers)
were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be YHWH
will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as YHWH said.
Josh 14:13: And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of
Jephunneh Hebron (a place in Palestine) for an inheritance.
Josh 14:14: Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son
of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly
followed YHWH, Elohim of Israel.
Josh 14:15: And the name of Hebron (a place in Palestine) before was
Kirjatharba (a place in Palestine that means "city of the
four" (giants) or "city of Arba", one of the Anakim; the Hebrew
primitive root for the word "Arba" means to squat or lie out flat,
i.e. (specifically) in copulation); which Arba was (inserted words) a
great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
* Note: Bible version used, the King James Version (KJV); except for
LORD is replaced by the proper name "YHWH," g-d is replaced by
"Elohim", parenthetical insertions are notes from "The Companion
Bible" by EW Bullinger and definitions from the Strong's Numbers.
An earlier reference:
Gen 14:5: And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings
that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and
the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, Gen 14:6: And
the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the
wilderness.
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