There seems to be an idea among modern scholars that the Nephilim were probably good guys. So says Ellen White.
"It is unlikely that this interpretation is correct because Genesis 6:4 presents nothing but praise for the Nephilim and no criticism is present." - Dr. White
http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/d...ampaign=E4BN20
Gen 6:4 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.
Because they were men of renown they were probably good guys. Later information about giants and the flood was probably due to Greek influence. (I Enoch, Jubilees, Josephus, Philo)
That overlooks what the rest of the OT says.
Num 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants (Nephilim): and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Num 13:22-33, Josh 15:13-14, Deu 9:2, Deu 1:28, Deu 2:10, Deu 3:11
If they were good guys why did God command that their evil (Lev 20:23) descendants be destroyed?
Some would complain that the Nephilim were all destroyed in the flood. Then where did Num 13:33 come from?
Note that after the flood that Nimrod became a renowned giant.
Gen 10:8 And Chus begot Nebrod: he began to be a giant (Heb. gibbor) upon the earth.
Gen 10:9 He was a giant hunter before the Lord God; therefore they say, As Nebrod the giant hunter before the Lord.
Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon, and Orech, and Archad, and Chalanne, in the land of Senaar. (LXX)
Nimrod's people wanted to build a tower to heaven and make a name for themselves. They wanted renown!
The similarity between the flood and tower of Babel shows the same pattern.
1. Evil giants of renown
2. Destruction, flood and confusion languages
Conclusion: Renown and being mighty on the earth aren't always a good thing.
"It is unlikely that this interpretation is correct because Genesis 6:4 presents nothing but praise for the Nephilim and no criticism is present." - Dr. White
http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/d...ampaign=E4BN20
Gen 6:4 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.
Because they were men of renown they were probably good guys. Later information about giants and the flood was probably due to Greek influence. (I Enoch, Jubilees, Josephus, Philo)
That overlooks what the rest of the OT says.
Num 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants (Nephilim): and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Num 13:22-33, Josh 15:13-14, Deu 9:2, Deu 1:28, Deu 2:10, Deu 3:11
If they were good guys why did God command that their evil (Lev 20:23) descendants be destroyed?
Some would complain that the Nephilim were all destroyed in the flood. Then where did Num 13:33 come from?
Note that after the flood that Nimrod became a renowned giant.
Gen 10:8 And Chus begot Nebrod: he began to be a giant (Heb. gibbor) upon the earth.
Gen 10:9 He was a giant hunter before the Lord God; therefore they say, As Nebrod the giant hunter before the Lord.
Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon, and Orech, and Archad, and Chalanne, in the land of Senaar. (LXX)
Nimrod's people wanted to build a tower to heaven and make a name for themselves. They wanted renown!
The similarity between the flood and tower of Babel shows the same pattern.
1. Evil giants of renown
2. Destruction, flood and confusion languages
Conclusion: Renown and being mighty on the earth aren't always a good thing.
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