Explaining the Nephilim by Shalene

NOW it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Genesis 6:2-4 NKJV (emphasis mine)

I've always wondered who the Nephilim were and how they came to be. For awhile, I was confused and thought they were perhaps some other creation that God made outside the Garden of Eden, but that just didn't seem biblical, so I've attempted to find the answers, that I'd like to share with you here. What the verses above suggest is that the Nephilim were actually the offspring of angels and the "daughters of man."

Of course, they couldn't be the angels that were still in Heaven, because in verse 6, we learn that there was evil rampant on the Earth, and you would think that if daughters of men and angels from Heaven reproduced, we would have an even godlier race. No, these were offspring of fallen angels- Satan's minions.

The reason I believe them to be angels? The term used to describe the "Sons of God" is bene elohim and a similar term bar elohim. This term- bene elohim- is used only three other times in the Old Testement: Job 1:6; 2:1; and 38:7 and refers, very clearly, to spiritual beings. Twice the reference is of those fallen spirits who accompanied Satan in his periodic appearances before the Lord in heaven.

Why would angels, even fallen angels want to reproduce with the "daughters of man" you ask? It's very simple, really, to corrupt the human race, so that a Savior could not come from them. That brings us to the reason for the Flood. God had to destroy the races that created the corrupt flesh. For they were also ungodly and evil. Our Savior could not come from that line. This was Satan's plan. To corrupt the human race to such a degree that a Savior that would defeat him could not be found. Isn't it wonderful, how our Lord saved Noah and his family, all to thwart Satan's plans. We have an awesome God. Praise Him Forever! If you'd like to learn more about this and have some time to wade through all the details, I strongly suggest this link: Notes on the Nephilim and also this one: Biblical Archaeology Society Online Archive