Reconsidering the Giants: A Case for a More Grounded Interpretation
The idea of giants roaming the Earth has long captivated both believers and skeptics. The popular image of superhuman offspring from angelic unions is widespread, but a closer look at the biblical evidence and the source of this theory reveals a different, more grounded understanding of these figures. Our stance is that giants like Goliath were indeed real and exceptionally large men, but the mythical “fallen angel” theory is a later interpretation that is not supported by the Bible itself.
Biblical Giants: Impressive, But Not Supernatural
The Bible presents several accounts of giants whose existence, while extraordinary, remains within the realm of the physically possible.
- Goliath: The famous Philistine warrior is perhaps the most well-known giant. 1 Samuel 17:4 describes him with a height of “six cubits and a span,” which translates to approximately 9 feet 9 inches. This is an immense height for a human, but it is not outside the realm of possibility.
- King Og of Bashan: The Bible doesn’t state his height directly, but it emphasizes his size by describing his iron bed in Deuteronomy 3:11, which was “nine cubits long.” This equals 13.5 feet, highlighting his legendary stature.
We know these measurements because historical research has defined the ancient units. A cubit was an elbow-to-fingertip measurement (approximately 18 inches), and a span was half of that, a hand’s width (approximately 9 inches). These verses suggest that giants were simply exceptionally tall human beings, not the monstrous offspring of divine beings.
The Fallen Angel Theory: A Case Against the Evidence
The theory that giants were the offspring of fallen angels is a popular one, but it faces significant challenges from a biblical and logical perspective.
- No Proof of Angelic Procreation: The Bible never states that angels possess physical bodies or sexual organs. In fact, Jesus himself stated in Matthew 22:30 that in heaven, people “neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” While this refers to angels in heaven, it supports the idea of angels being non-procreative spiritual beings.
- Biological Impossibility: The most significant “disprove” of the fallen angel theory comes from the impossible scale described in its source. The Book of Enoch, which we will discuss below, describes giants reaching an estimated 450 feet tall. The biological reality of this is a physical impossibility. Based on our calculations, a human woman giving birth to a baby with the corresponding weight—tens of thousands of tons—is a logistical and anatomical absurdity.
- The “Sons of God” Verses: The term “sons of God” is not used exclusively for angels in the Bible. Luke 3:38 refers to Adam as the “son of God,” showing the term can apply to humans created directly by God. This suggests the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 could be interpreted as the godly line of humanity.
The Book of Enoch: The Real Source of the Theory
The fallen angel theory is not found in the canonical Bible but comes from an ancient, non-canonical text: the Book of Enoch. This book was written during the 400 years of silence—the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments. During this era of significant literary output, Enoch emerged with a vivid and imaginative narrative.
It identifies the “sons of God” as Watchers, a group of fallen angels who descended to Earth and had children with human women. This account provides a dramatic backstory for the brief mention in Genesis, including the extreme heights of the giants and their violent, cannibalistic nature. The book’s narrative directly influenced how many people interpreted Genesis, and its ideas even appeared in later canonical books like Jude and 2 Peter. However, the fantastical elements—such as 450-foot giants—signal that the book is likely a theological allegory rather than a literal historical account.
Our Stance: A Case for the Sethite Interpretation
Our conclusion is that the simplest and most biblically consistent explanation for the events in Genesis is the Sethite Interpretation. This view, which was favored by many early church fathers, posits that the “sons of God” were the righteous lineage of Seth, and the “daughters of men” were the wicked lineage of Cain. The “mighty men” (the Nephilim) were the product of this ungodly union, which corrupted humanity and led to the wickedness that prompted the Great Flood.
This stance acknowledges that giants like Goliath were real, exceptionally tall human beings who lived on Earth, but it rejects the supernatural, physically impossible theory introduced by the Book of Enoch. Instead, it offers a more grounded interpretation that aligns with the core biblical message of moral corruption leading to divine judgment.