Giants in the Bible are referred to as Nephilim. According to the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Nephilim were the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”. This union is believed to have taken place before the Great Flood. The Nephilim are described as having great strength and power. The Giant race appears later in the Bible, in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. In Numbers, the spies sent by Moses to check out the Promised Land report seeing “men as tall as the cedars of Lebanon”.
Apart from physical strength and power, some bible scholars believe the Nephilim were angelic figures related to the Watchers (fallen angels). In this account, the leader of the Watchers, Samyaza taught the other Watchers how to procreate with men. The offspring of these unions were giants, or Nephilim. This conception suggests that the Nephilim had superhuman qualities. Another theory suggests that the Nephilim may have been a race of giants whose genetic defect caused them to be abnormally tall.
The Bible does not provide many specifics on the extent of the giants’ power. Nonetheless, the giants demonstrate a capability to do great damage. In 1 Chronicles, the Philistine giants killed 37,000 Israelites in a single day. Additionally, the Bible makes several references to giants having supernatural abilities. For instance, the ruler of Gath was said to have iron-like skin and was able to eat fire. By the time of Noah’s Great Flood, the Bible appears to describe the spread of this giant race across the land.
Little is known about the fate of the Nephilim after the flood. Some biblical scholars believe that although the flood may have eliminated many of the giants, some may have survived and gone on to continue their legacy until the time of David. In 2 Samuel, it is reported that Goliath of Gath was the last of the “Rephaim”, a collective term used for giants. He was slain by David when he was only a young teen.
Biblical Giants After the Flood
Another hint of giants comes in the story of Og, King of Bashan. The Bible says that Og was a giant and the last of the Rephaites. Og’s bed was more than 13 feet long and 6 feet wide and it was said to have been made of iron. Og made a last stand against Israel, but was defeated by Moses’ army.
The Bible also mentions the Anakites, a race of giants who inhabited the land of Canaan at the time of the Israelites. According to the Bible, the Anakites were descendants of Anak (a Nephilim descendant) and were said to be “mighty men”. The Anakites were so large and fierce that the Israelites became terrified and feared that they would not be able to overcome them.
Later in the Bible, Giants are mentioned again in the book of Amos. It is believed that during this time, there were still giants living in the land of Bashan. The Bible also refers to “giants of the earth”, who were the offspring of the Anakites and Rephaites.
Giants and Legends
Throughout history, various cultures have reported in legends and myths of creatures of superhuman size and power. Some of these legends tell of creatures such as the Titans, who are believed to have been brought to life by the gods, as well as mythical beasts such as the Phoenix and the Unicorn, who were said to have supernatural powers. It is possible that these creatures were based upon the Giant lineage mentioned in the Bible, as some Bible scholars believe.
The Bible has been interpreted differently by various religious and political figures over the centuries, and giants feature in many of these varied interpretations. While some interpretations suggest that the giants were powerful monsters and opponents of God, others portray them as powerful protectors, such as King David, who was said to have defeated the giant Goliath.
The Bible makes several references to giants, but their exact significance is uncertain. They appear to have been creatures of immense power and some biblical scholars believe they were a separate species, combining both supernatural and human traits. There is much debate regarding their origin and fate after the Flood, and some believe they continued to exist and play a major role in the Bible’s stories.
Giants and Anthropology
As an anthropological concept, giants are seen differently. Researchers have studied the remains of unexplained human specimens in an attempt to learn more about their mysterious origins. Studies of the Giant Skeletons discovered in the United States, for example, paint a picture of a highly active giant race.
Researchers believe that this giant race was highly sophisticated, as evidenced by massive earthworks, monuments, and ancient cities discovered in various parts of the world. They also suggest that this giant race was highly educated, with advanced knowledge in engineering, astronomy, math, and medicine.
The mystery of the Giant race remains unsolved, but recent research suggests the theory that they were a species apart from modern humans. Anthropologists believe that these giants may have been the product of a process known as gigantification, in which certain traits of an organism are exaggerated over time.
Whatever their origins, it is clear that Giants played a significant role in various ancient cultures around the world. Their impressive size, strength and prowess have been the source of many legends and have left an indelible mark on history.
Giants in Mythology
In addition to the biblical accounts of giants, there is also evidence of giant races in the mythology and folklore of many cultures around the world. For instance, the Greek goddess Demeter was said to have two half-giant sons, Arges and Briareos, who were half-human. The Chinese dragon is another example of a mythical giant creature.
In Norse mythology, the giant Jörmungandr was said to be so large that he could encircle the earth and grasp his own tail. Other giants in Norse mythology include Ymir, Hoskuld, and the fierce giantesses, the Volshebniki.
The ancient Greeks also have a story of the clash between the giants, who were said to have attempted to overthrow the Olympian gods, and the gods themselves. The god, Zeus, was able to defeat the giants and imprison them in the depths of Tartarus.
Conclusion
Giants have featured prominently in some of the most beloved myths and legends, and in many cases, are believed to be linked to ancient biblical figures. While little is known about the exact origin of these extraordinary creatures, they have sparked much fascination and debate over the years. Whether they were angelic figures, a race of superhuman giants, or a race of overgrown humans, the mystery surrounding the Giant race has captivated cultures for centuries.
