Word study: nephelim

Word Study: Nephilim

There is not a clear etymology and meaning for this word. But, many scholars trace it to the Hebrew root Naphal which means “to fall”and so, take it to mean the “fallen ones.” The most plausible application is to angels that were thrown out of heaven, foremost among them, Lucifer. The Archangel Michael and his angels performed the expulsion of Lucifer and his angels. They were expelled due to their blasphemy, deceit, pride and wickedness, which had coalesced into a desire to be a god.

Ancient Hebrew texts contain numerous references to the Nephelim. the best known comes from the Bible:

Genesis 6:4 states “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days and also afterwards when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.”

The furious Nephelim fell to earth, where they both interbred with and warred with the people on earth. The Nephelim and their offspring possessed some terrifying characteristics:

• 8 to 36 feet in height
• a double-row of teeth
• 24 fingers and toes
• supernatural mental abilities
• legendary physical strength
• hyper-sexuality and violence
• carnivorous and cannibalistic

Folklore, sacred literature and children’s stories involving giants are abundant in many cultures. David and Goliath, Jack and the Beanstalk and Gulliver’s Travels are examples. King Arthur and Hercules both faced giants. Seventeenth century frontier explorer, William Cody wrote this in his autobiography:

“While we were in the sand hills, scouting the Niobrara country, the Pawnee Indians brought into camp some very large bones, one of which the surgeon of the expedition pronounced to be the thigh bone of a human being. The Indians said the bones were those of a race of people who long ago had lived in that country. They said these people were three times the size of a man of the present day, that they were so swift and strong that they could run by the side of a buffalo and, taking the animal in one arm, could tear off a leg and eat it as they ran.”

Sightings of live giants as well as the discoveries of giant skeletons and mummies have been recorded on most continents. In the 20th century, many gigantic remains found in the US were confiscated for the government (by the Smithsonian). These remains were never seen or heard of again. It should be noted that this appears to be the response to anything that provides physical confirmation of the Bible.

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In trying to extrapolate the physical strength that these giants possessed, some believe that the giants built the pyramids, stone hedges, obelisks and other ancient structures. Hieroglyphs found on land and under water suggest that the giants could outrun every animal on earth and could pick up large game, like buffalo and carry them under their arm. Some researchers believe that the giants voracious appetite could have figured in the extinctions of species of early animals, peoples and even themselves.

At least one researcher believes that giant remains are being used for nefarious purposes by military to create super-soldiers. Several scholars understand prophetic texts to say that giants will appear on earth again during the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Anna Moss

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Towards DISCERNMENT for a better world.

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