Nephilim

• 
• 

• 
• 

Fast Facts:

• Pronunciation: NEF-il-em


• Origin: Biblical


• Role: Giants


• Symbols: Armor, Weapons


• Parents: Sons of God, Mortal Women


• Other Names: Emim, Rephaim, Anakim, Gibborim

Who Is Nephilim?

Nephilim were supernatural beings mentioned several times in historical documents, though there is no verified proof of their existence. There is some debate over the precise description of Nephilim but most historians agree that they were the product of fallen angels and mortal women.

Descriptions of Nephilim lead us to believe that they were giants who also possessed super human strength. There are references to giants in the book of Genesis that says they were present during the time of Noah and perhaps after that as well. This article will explore the different explanations and variations of the Nephilim, as well as their significance in different chapters of mythology.

Purpose

The Nephilim had different purposes, depending on the source. For example, they were heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. In some documents, it is said that the Nephilim gave birth to the Elouid. Together, the Elouid and the Nephilim would go on to build some of the largest objects in the world, including the Pyramids, along with many ancient temples. But according to the Book of Enoch, the Nephilim were bloodthirsty cannibals who taught mortals how to administer abortions.

Some sources claim that the Nephilim use their talents to destroy evil supernatural creatures. They might have also worked towards keeping the peace between other creatures, such as Vampires, Fairies, Demons and Deities.

Origins

The origins of the Nephilim can be found in Genesis 6: 1-4.

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days – and also afterward – when the sons of God went in to the daughters of man, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.

This passage suggests that the fallen angels, or the sons of God, consorted with the daughters of the Earth. The Nephilim are mentioned again in the book of Genesis but there is much debate surrounding their origins and purposes.

Legends and Stories

It is hard to find stories directly surrounding the Nephilim. Most examples are assumed, meaning that documentation of the race is not very detailed. Here are some stories believed to be about members of the Nephilim race.

David and Goliath

If you’ve heard of the story of David and Goliath, you know that Goliath was referred to as a giant. Many believe that he was a descendent of the Nephilim. But his size was no match for David’s courage and determination.

The Israelites and the Philistines were preparing for battle. David’s brothers were in the army but David was too small and young. He tended to the sheep instead. One day, his father asked him to deliver food to his brothers. He set out to the battle field, only to find that everyone was cowering in fear because of Goliath.

The giant’s words angered David and he told everyone he would fight Goliath with God by his side. The King and the army were concerned about the battle but David was relentless in his desires. The day came for the battle. David gathered five smooth stones and placed one in his sling and the rest in his pocket. Goliath taunted the boy and ran towards him. David shot the first stone at the giant. It hit him right between the eyes, knocking the giant to the ground. Before he could react, David cut off Goliath’s head with a giant sword. David’s battle victory led to the Israelites overall victory.

Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh was the main character of an ancient poem written between 2700 BC and 600 BC in Mesopotamia. He was described as half god and half human, leading most to classify him as a Nephilim. He was king of Uruk but he did not lead his people with honor. Instead, he wreaked havoc on the city and the people begged the gods to help.

The gods created Endiku, part beast and part human. Endiku lived in the forest but he was told of a disturbing ritual by someone passing through. When couples were wed, Gilgamesh had the right to spend the evening with the new bride, before her husband was able to. This bothered Endiku and he headed to Uruk to protect a woman who was getting married. Gilgamesh and Endiku fought. Gilgamesh won but the two ended up becoming friends. They had many adventures together but ended up offending the gods. It was decided that one must die and Enkidu fell ill and eventually passed, leaving Gilgamesh to continue his less than noble rulings.

Appearance

The Nephilim are half-human and half-angel. They are described as appearing to be human with angelic energies. Most descriptions of the Nephilim say that they are giants, which makes sense as the word “Nephilim” translates to “giants”.

Several ancient cultures, including the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans, all made note of a giant race. These individuals were described as being smart, strong, and very large. Some documents suggest that they fell in between 8 and 12 feet tall while others describe giants as tall as 36 feet.

Symbology

The Nephilim are surrounded in mystery, making it difficult to determine any symbology. The Nephilim are sometimes portrayed as great helpers and supernatural beings while other times they are described as being vicious villains. But some symbols that have linked to the Nephilim are oversized suits of armor, the Pyramids, and weapons.

Nephilim