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Giants on the Earth

Brandon Burton

20 Feb 07

        As the time of Christ's return approaches, the Earth could see a return of giants that are Biblically known as the Nephilim. Most anyone who has attended Sunday school as a child are familiar with the Biblical story of a most infamous giant known as Goliath. Outside of the lesson of David and Goliath, there appears to be a lack of knowledge and discussion on the topic of giants. Perhaps this lack of discussion is not surprising since giants are a part of ancient history. Secular history seems to go as so far to relegate this part of ancient history to mythology. The Bible tells us something different regarding ancient history. The Bible tells us history that is anything but mythology. But you might ask, “Why should I even want to know about these parts of The Bible that takes place in antiquity?” Or you might wonder, “Why should I care about these stories of giants from thousands of years ago?” Good question. The following passage of scripture from the New Testament just keeps ringing in my ears. This is not ancient history. I cannot escape the replay of this passage of scripture in my head:

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Mat 24:37 (KJV)

        In the aforementioned passage of scripture from chapter 24 of Matthew, Christ relates to us signs of the end of the age and His return. Many of these signs do receive a lot of attention within the church. Even the mention of the immorality as referenced to the days of Noah receives some discussion. There appears to be something significant going on in the days of Noah that does not receive much attention. A good argument can be made that there were giants living on the face of the Earth leading up to the time of Noah's flood (and after the flood also). The general references to the gross immorality in the time of Noah and the end of the age is well documented. Accordingly, the focus of this paper will not be directed towards the gross immorality as a sign of the end times. It is critical for the church to point out immorality as a sign of Christ's soon return. This paper is not a critique of those teachings or discussions. The focus here will be on the subject that seems to be lacking discussion in the church. I believe this is immensely important as the body of Christ needs to know about and be prepared for those things that Christ was trying to tell us about regarding the end times. Additionally, a sound understanding of the Biblical assertions of giants existing has the potential to completely shape our understanding and worldview of history and the way God dealt with people and creatures in Old Testament times. Let us return to the times of Noah that Christ was telling us about as signs of His return.

        Genesis 6:4 tells us, “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God 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.” (KJV). The NIV version of the Bible uses the word “Nephilim” in this scripture where the KJV uses “giants.” In his book, The Genesis Record, Henry Morris tells us, “The word in the Hebrew is nephilim and comes from the verb naphal (“fall”)” (1976, p. 172). This passage of scripture alone contains many clues to history and specifically the time leading up to the flood of Noah. The overall context of this scripture is where God is revealing His decision to bring about the great deluge because of the exceeding wickedness of that time. So, just what is going on in this scripture? As is clear, there were giants in existence in those days. So, where did the giants come from? This verse explains that as the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” bearing these nephilim. The key phrase here is the “sons of God.” Why the difference between “sons of God” and “daughters of men?” This distinction is of vast importance for a understanding of the events in the days of Noah.

        It is argued here that these “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:4 are fallen angels. First, notice the distinction where daughters are of men, but these sons are of God. The wording itself appears to support that the origins of these beings are different. It appears that this is referring to angels who were created by God entering into relationships with women who were born unto man. It would also appear that these were angels who rebelled against God. They are sometimes referred to as fallen angels. In the New Testament, the book of Jude makes reference to angels who had rebelled “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.” Jude 1:6 (KJV) Additionally, there are other references in the Old Testament that use the term “sons of God” when referring to angels. It is in the book of Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7 that uses this term to refer to angels, and this rendering appears consistent within the context of those passages of scripture within Job. It is also noted that ancient texts support this claim of fallen angels producing with human women a race of giants in the days of old. While it is not within the scope of this paper to elucidate each ancient text, one can find such references in places such as The Book of Enoch and Josephus' Jewish Antiquities.

As a brief aside, it is interesting to note that Josephus suggests similarities between these nephelim of the time of Noah and of those associated with Greek mythology. Another important point supporting this claim of falling angels is why would a race of giants be produced if they were simply born to human mothers and fathers?

        The mention of giants in the Scriptures is not limited to Genesis 6. As Genesis 6:4 tells us, giants return to the Earth after the flood also. While the unfolding of those events are not clearly revealed, there appears to be no doubt that these nephilim existed. It is also suggested that the children of Israel atleast helped eradicate the nephilim from the Earth. As mentioned earlier, the infamous giant Goliath is known to most every kid who has attended Sunday school. 1 Samuel 17:4 provides some basic information about Goliath: “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” (KJV) It is believed that six cubits equels roughly 9 feet. As such, the NIV renders his height as 9 feet. 2 Samuel 21:20 relates a story of giants: “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.” (KJV) It is interesting to note some other abnormalities related to these giants. Are these 6 fingered and 6 toed giants a result of some sort of genetic modification? These aspects are still somewhat of a mystery, but it does not change the fact that these giants were once in the Earth.

        The Bible reveals to us further examples of giants in the Earth, but this time these were the giants in the promised land that Moses and Joshua were leading the people of Israel into. Deuteronomy 3:11 serves as an example of further Biblical evidence supporting the existence of these giants: “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.” (KJV) This “nine cubits” is believed to be roughly 13-14 feet. It is fairly obvious that these giants were not just “big guys.” Numbers 13:33 gives us another example of The Bible revealing to us giants being in the land in the time of Moses and Joshua: “And there we saw the giants, 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.” (KJV)

        It is clearly established here that The Bible reveals to us that there were giants, also known as nephilim, on the Earth in ancient history. It is also clear that these nephilim were on the Earth in the days leading up to the great deluge of Noah's time. It should also be clear that this time of the nephilim is associated with excessive wickedness. It is fairly clear that these rebellious angels violated the law of God. These fallen angels sought to assert their will above that of God's. Those days in the time of Noah were wicked indeed. With those wicked days in mind, Jesus told us that the days before His return would be like the days of Noah. It can be, and is, argued that there is terrible wickedness in the days in which we live. All of this begs the question, will this Earth witness a return of the nephilim in these last days? It appears that there is support in The Bible for the idea that the nephilim will make another appearance.

        Lastly, it is important for the church to consider this so that we in the church are not caught unaware of any possible unfolding events in these last days. It is fairly clear from scripture that the enemy will attempt to deceive many, especially as the end of days draw near conclusion. Paul offers some sound advice regarding the enemy: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Cor 2:11 (KJV) Not only will it be wise for the church to prepare itself to guard against any coming deception, the church would do well to be prepared to have wise answers for the people of the world. The lost people of the world just might come to the church seeking truth and clarity as the world slides further into wickedness and deception in the end of days. What a tremendous opportunity that would be to offer those answers along with The Answer and His Gospel.

addendum:  For an in depth study on this issue, I'd like to recommend The Nephilim And The Pyramid Of The Apocalypse by Patrick Heron as an excellent book on this subject matter.  If this article generates enough interest and/or demand, I will write further on this subject. 

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