Giants in the Old Testament???

Fe, fi, fo, fum. I smell the blood of an English man. 

 

I don't know the origins of that. Maybe it's the giant from Jack in the Beanstalk.

 

There's something about "giants" that are both intriguing, but also, seem to be in the categories of things like leprechauns - they have the opposite problem - unicorns, and honorable politicians.

 

Things most of us don't really think exist.

 

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious giants mentioned in the Bible?

 

It's one of the things that gives the Old Testament a bit of a mythic feel for a lot of people. We just don't take things like "giants" all that seriously.

 

These enigmatic figures have captivated readers for centuries, sparking curiosity and debate about their nature and significance. Let's just say, there's not a solid consensus on who these people were, or exactly how "gigantic" they were.

 

The term "Nephilim" first appears in Genesis 6:4: "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown." The Hebrew word נְפִילִים (nephilim) derives from the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall." This etymology has led some scholars to interpret the Nephilim as "fallen ones," possibly alluding to fallen angels or their offspring.

 

In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, "Nephilim" is rendered as γίγαντες (gigantes), the source of our English word "giants." This translation has significantly influenced subsequent interpretations of the Nephilim as beings of extraordinary stature.

 

Another key passage mentioning giants is Numbers 13:33, where the spies sent to scout the Promised Land report: "And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." This text explicitly connects the Nephilim with the sons of Anak, another group described as giants.

 

The identity of the Nephilim has been a subject of ongoing debate. Some interpretations include:

 

1. Offspring of angels and humans: This view, based on the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:2, suggests that fallen angels mated with human women, producing the Nephilim as hybrid beings.

 

2. Descendants of Seth: Another interpretation sees the "sons of God" as the godly line of Seth, who intermarried with the ungodly line of Cain ("daughters of man"), resulting in a morally corrupt generation. [p.s. this is the view I tend to gravitate toward, but I can't say I'm totally sure either way].

 

3. Powerful human rulers: Some scholars argue that the Nephilim were simply mighty warriors or rulers, not necessarily of supernatural origin or extraordinary size.

 

Regarding Goliath, while he is indeed described as a giant, the Hebrew text does not explicitly call him a Nephil. In 1 Samuel 17:4, we read: "And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span." The Hebrew word used here is אִ֥ישׁ הַבֵּנַ֛יִם (ish habbenayim), literally "man of the in-between," often translated as "champion."

 

Goliath's height is given as "six cubits and a span," which would be approximately 9 feet 9 inches tall. While this is certainly extraordinary, it's important to note that some ancient manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint, give Goliath's height as "four cubits and a span," or about 6 feet 9 inches. This discrepancy has led some scholars to suggest that the taller height may be a later exaggeration.

 

We might not ever, short of some kind of archaeological discovery, get a clear answer on this issue. It's one of those open questions we can disagree about. Still, when they do appear in the Scriptures, they actually play a role in the story. They serve a theological, not just a historical, purpose.

 

What "giants" do we face in our own lives? How do we confront challenges that seem insurmountable?

 

The biblical narratives of giants serve several theological purposes:

 

1. They emphasize God's power: Despite their intimidating stature, giants like Goliath are ultimately defeated by God's chosen servants, demonstrating that true strength comes from faith in God, not physical might. As David proclaimed before facing Goliath, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Sam 17:37).

 

2. They illustrate human fear and lack of faith: The Israelites' fear of the giants in Canaan (Num 13-14) contrasts with Caleb and Joshua's faith in God's promises, serving as a lesson about trusting in God's power rather than being intimidated by apparent obstacles. How often do we, like the fearful Israelites, allow our perceptions of challenges to overshadow our trust in God's promises?

 

3. They may represent spiritual corruption: If the Nephilim are indeed the result of unions between "sons of God" and human women, they could symbolize the depths of spiritual and moral degradation that preceded the Flood. This interpretation reminds us of the constant need for spiritual vigilance and moral integrity in our own lives.

 

In applying these insights to our lives today, we can draw several lessons:

 

1. Trust in God's power: Just as David faced Goliath with faith in God rather than relying on human strength, we too can face our "giants" – whether they be challenges, fears, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles – with confidence in God's power. As Paul reminds us, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13).

 

2. Recognize spiritual warfare: The mysterious nature of the Nephilim reminds us of the reality of spiritual forces at work in the world. As Paul writes, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12). How might this awareness shape our approach to life's challenges?

 

3. Avoid exaggeration of evil: While the biblical accounts of giants are dramatic, they ultimately serve to highlight God's greatness, not the power of His opponents. We should be careful not to give undue attention or power to evil in our own lives. Instead, let us focus on the promise that "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

 

4. Embrace our identity in Christ: Regardless of how we interpret the Nephilim, the New Testament assures us that in Christ, we have a new identity that transcends any earthly or spiritual lineage. As Paul writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Cor 5:17). How does this truth transform our self-perception and our approach to life's challenges?

 

The accounts of giants in the Old Testament also offer rich insights into the nature of faith and courage. Consider David's confidence as he faced Goliath: "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Sam 17:45). David's words echo through the ages, challenging us to confront our own "Goliaths" with unwavering faith in God's power and presence.

 

Moreover, the story of the spies in Numbers 13-14 presents a stark contrast between faith and fear. While most of the spies saw only the giants and fortified cities, Caleb and Joshua saw the promise of God. Caleb's bold declaration, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it" (Num 13:30), stands as a timeless call to courageous faith in the face of daunting odds.

 

These narratives invite us to reflect on our own responses to life's challenges. Do we, like the fearful spies, see only the obstacles before us? Or do we, like Caleb and Joshua, view our circumstances through the lens of God's promises and power?

 

If God can lead a shepherd boy to defeat a giant, if he can conquer death through a Roman cross, if he can defy an empire with an act of sacrifice, and save our innumerable sins through His sinlessness... why do we doubt that he'll handle the obstacles we face in our daily lives? God cares for the birds of the air. He tends to the lilies of the field. You are worth more to Him than these. So fear not. He will do greater things for you.

 

God Bless,

Judah