Nephilim & Fallen Angels: The Dark Truth Behind Genesis and the Apocalypse
In the opening verses of Genesis 6, something extremely bizarre was occurring on the earth.
It says that during the time preceding the Flood, the “sons of God” — which we are identified as angels or watchers — began to lust after the daughters of men. Mesmerized by the women’s beauty, these angelic beings abandoned their God-assigned posts, took the women they desired, and began to cohabit with them. The result of this illicit sexual union is described in Genesis 6:4 and 5, which says:
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. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Although this sinister event hasn’t been discussed much in modern times, details of what took place were known and documented many centuries ago by ancient scholars and Early Church fathers. Indeed, many respected Christian apologists, historians, scholars, and theologians have written about the inconceivable activities of the fallen angels and their hybrid offspring the Bible calls giants.
Below, you will read firsthand commentary from venerated individuals such as Clement of Rome, Josephus, Justin Martyr, Tatian, Irenaeus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Commodian, Eusebius, Jerome, and Sulpicius Severus, who all believed in and confirmed the fallen-angel account of Genesis 6 to be true and wrote of the terrors brought into the world by the race of giants that was produced.
God’s Prophetic Words Were Passed Down from Jared All the Way to His Great-Great-Grandson Noah
To briefly recap this family’s prophetic influence, we know that for centuries, God had been speaking and revealing revelations to these early patriarchs about a coming judgment, and each generation successively passed these revelations on to the next.
Jared shared divine insights with his son Enoch that the Lord had revealed to him.
Enoch imparted divine insights to his son Methuselah, telling what the Lord had revealed to him and to his father Jared.
Methuselah then shared those prophetic insights with his son Lamech, who in turn passed everything on to his son Noah.
From the time of Jared to Noah, God gave more and more revelation about how He was going to deal with the mutinous angels and the monstrous giants, who were causing barbaric violence in the earth. Because the behavior of these hybrid creatures was progressively defiling the entire human population, God prophetically declared He would send a Flood to cleanse the earth of it.
We have seen that the long, overlapping lifespans of Adam’s descendants made it probable that Noah had heard with his own ears the prophetic insights from the mouths of his father Lamech, his grandfather Methuselah, and possibly even from his great-great-grandfather Jared — who were all living simultaneously for hundreds of years during Noah’s lifetime. Again, this should remind us of our own need to pass revelation to the next generation and to treasure the words of faithful family members who have walked with God before us.
In addition to the revelation that had been passed to Noah by his predecessors, Hebrews 11:7 informs us that Noah also heard directly from God about what was about to take place. That verse says, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house….” This passage contains important insights on how Noah responded to what God revealed to him — insights we need to know and apply in our own life. Therefore, I reveal more in my book, Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters and the World Before the Flood.
What Scripture Documents About the Mutinous Angels and their Offspring the Nephilim
Again, here is what the Bible tells us in Genesis 6:1,2, and 4:
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose…. 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.
When the rebellious angels mated with mortal women, the women birthed hybrid creatures called giants.
The word “giants” is translated from the word nephilim, which some suggest comes from the verb nephal, meaning to fall. This seems to imply that the Nephilim were fallen ones — or ones who violently fell on people, causing them to fall in fear. Either way, these hybrid beings were physically enormous, possessed unnatural strength, and propagated evil and violence throughout the earth in the time before the Flood.
When we look at Genesis 6:4 in the Septuagint, we find that the Greek word for Nephilim is gigantes. This is where we derive the words “giant” and “gigantic.” The use of this word in the Septuagint informs us that the hybrid offspring of fallen angels who mated with mortal women were monstrous giants that were fallen from God’s original design. They were supersized creatures, not just in height — their arms, legs, hands, head, torso, and teeth were enormous compared to those of an average man.
Some may argue, “That’s just a myth. Giants did not really exist.” But archaeological evidence says the Nephilim did exist, and there are reports on virtually every continent that verify gigantic hybrid creatures once roamed the earth. How they appeared in each region is too broad a subject for this blog, but the fact is, they really did exist.
What were the dreadful effects of these monstrous, hybrid creatures? Genesis 6:5-7 and 11 tells us.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them…. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Great wickedness…every imagination of the human heart was continually evil…and the earth was filled with violence. These were the characteristics of the earth and the people, giants, and fallen angels on the earth. And it all came as a result of the fallen angels who sinned with earthly women and produced monstrous hybrid creatures.
Ancient Sources that Verify the Fallen Angels-and-Giants Narrative
Remarkably, there were many notable voices from early history that documented the bizarre events that occurred between fallen angels and earthly women. Ancient records from nearly the last 5,000 years show that these events were known and acknowledged to have taken place by many serious and noteworthy individuals.
In the following section, you will see an extensive and significant number of quotes from renowned apologists, historians, scholars, and theologians who each verified the account of the sinning angels who mated with mortal women, which is described in Genesis 6:1-4. To establish who each of these ancient voices are, I will first provide a brief biographical description, detailing the credibility and trustworthiness of their writings. Each brief biography will be followed by that writer’s personal commentary verifying the pre-Flood events.
Clement of Rome (35 – 99 AD)
Clement of Rome (also known as Pope Clement I, the fourth bishop of Rome) was a member of the church at Rome in the First Century and was said to have been ordained into the ministry by the apostle Peter.5 He is also listed by Irenaeus and Tertullian as the bishop of Rome, who held office from 88 AD to his death in 99 AD. Clement is considered to be one of three apostolic fathers of the Early Church, along with Polycarp of Smyrna and Ignatius of Antioch.
Early tradition says that Clement was imprisoned under Emperor Trajan and that during his imprisonment, he led a ministry among fellow prisoners. The Liber Pontificalis states that he later died during Trajan’s reign, being executed by having an anchor tied to him and then being thrown into the sea. In Eusebius’ famous document Ecclesiastical History, he wrote that Clement was the third Bishop of Rome and a “co-laborer” of the apostle Paul.
Clement’s only credible surviving writing is called the First Epistle of Clement, which was an epistle that he wrote and sent to the church at Corinth. That document is one of the oldest Christian texts that exists outside of the New Testament. Later, a second epistle called the Second Epistle of Clement was discovered, and while it was originally attributed to Clement, it is now speculated to have been written by someone else.
Clement’s epistle was written in response to a dispute in the Corinthian church that involved its leaders. This letter was regarded for centuries as venerated text that exhorted the church to maintain peace as well as the traditions of the apostles.
Here Clement was emphatically one of the most formidable, legendary, and illustrious leaders of the Early Church. What he said carried great weight and his words were taken nearly as seriously as the words of the apostles with whom he personally labored.
Concerning the fallen angels and giants, Clement of Rome wrote:
…[Angels] metamorphosed themselves…and partook of human lust, and being brought under its subjection they fell into cohabitation with women; and being involved with them, and sunk in defilement and altogether emptied of their first power, were unable to turn back to the first purity of their nature…. But from their unhallowed intercourse spurious men sprang, much greater in stature than ordinary men, whom they afterwards called giants.
Josephus (Circa 37 – 100 AD)
Flavius Josephus was a Jewish historian renowned for his multiple historical works, including The Jewish War and The Antiquities of the Jews.
He was born in Jerusalem to a father of priestly descent and to a mother who claimed royal ancestry. He served as a general of Jewish forces during the first Jewish-Roman War until the army surrendered to the Roman leader Vespasian in 67 AD. Shortly thereafter, Vespasian became impressed by the intellectual prowess of Josephus and took him as a slave. Later, when Vespasian became the Roman Emperor in 69 AD, Josephus was granted his freedom. To show his gratitude, Josephus assumed the emperor’s family’s last name (Flavius), and from that point on he became known as Flavius Josephus.
Eventually Josephus became a Roman citizen and an advisor to Titus, Vespasian’s son and Rome’s future emperor. He even served as Titus’ personal interpreter when Titus laid siege to Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jewish scholars count Josephus’ works as the most important source outside of the Bible for the history of Israel.12 To this day, his writings are considered the most accurate, trustworthy accounts — including his significant insights concerning the fallen angels who sexually comingled with earthly women. The following is what Josephus wrote concerning these mutinous beings and their offspring of giants.
For many angels of God accompanied with women, and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good, on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the tradition is, that these men did what resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call giants…. [The] giants, who had bodies so large, and countenances so entirely different from other men, that they were surprising to the sight and terrible to the hearing.
Justin Martyr (Circa 100 – 165 AD)
Justin Martyr was a philosopher who converted to Christianity and later became known as an early Christian apologist. Although the date of his birth is uncertain, it seems to fall in the first years of the Second Century. His native hometown was Flavia Neapolis, which was founded by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, and its residents were mostly pagans.
Justin received a high education in philosophy, and in his written works Apologies and Dialogue with Trypho, he recorded personal details of his life that include information about his conversion and his studies in philosophy before he came to Christ. Curiously, in the first line of Apologies, he called himself “Justin, the son of Priscos, son of Baccheios, of Flavia Neapolis, in Palestinian Syria.”
Although most of his works are lost, several survived, including his First Apology, which was his most well-known text that passionately defended the Christian life and was used to convince the Roman Emperor Antoninus to abandon his persecution of the Church.
The earliest mention of Justin is found in the Oratio ad Graecos by Tatian. Irenaeus quotes him twice and commented on Justin’s martyrdom, confirming that Tatian was Justin’s disciple. Furthermore, Tertullian, who is also included in this list of early ancient voices, referred to Justin as a philosopher and a martyr.
Eusebius, who is also included later in this prestigious list, names the following significant works accredited to Justin Martyr:
The First Apology — an address to Emperor Antoninus, his sons, and the Roman Senate
A Second Apology of Justin Martyr — an address to the Roman Senate
The Discourse to the Greeks — a discussion with Greek philosophers on the character of their gods
On the Sovereignty of God
The Psalmist
On the Soul
The Dialogue with Trypho
Eusebius suggests there were other works by Justin Martyr, and from the writings of Irenaeus, we know that Justin also authored a treatise called Against Marcion. Justin’s role in the Early Church was so significant that Epiphanius and Jerome importantly mention him in their works.
A day came in 165 AD when Justin and some of his followers were arrested for their faith. In the face of death, he was recorded to have said, “No one who is rightly minded turns from true belief to false. If we are punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we hope to be saved.” He was later beheaded under the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the son of Antoninus Pius.
Justin Martyr is revered as one of the doctors of the Early Church — an apologist and a martyr — and his name is held in high esteem to this day. He was known for his great heart and mind and is revered for his scholarly writings that are not only intellectually persuasive, but reliable and trustworthy. As many believers do today, Justin boldly contended for the faith of Jesus Christ and His Gospel in an increasingly hostile, pagan world around him.
Concerning the fallen angels, Justin Martyr wrote in his Second Apology:
…God, when He had made the whole world, and subjected things earthly to man, and arranged the heavenly elements for the increase of fruits and rotation of the seasons, and appointed this divine law — for these things also He evidently made for man — committed the care of men and of all things under heaven to angels whom He appointed over them. But the angels transgressed this appointment, and were captivated by love of women….
Tatian (Circa 120 – 185 AD)
Tatian — also known as Tatian of Adiabene, Tatian the Syrian, and Tatian the Assyrian — lived in the Second Century and was an Assyrian Christian. Little is known about the date and place of his birth except what he writes about himself in his treatise called Oratio ad Graecos. In that document, Tatian states that he was born in “the land of the Assyrians,” which is the Mesopotamian area where the cities of Babylon and Nineveh are located.
His first encounter with the Christian faith took place during a lengthy visit to the city of Rome. According to his own writings, he was disgusted with pagan religions and practices, so he turned to Scripture to seek truth. As he studied the Old Testament, he came to understand the evil of paganism, and over time, he converted to Christ and became a disciple of Justin Martyr. As Justin had done earlier, Tatian eventually opened a Christian school in Rome.
Eventually, he left Rome for various reasons, and it is generally believed that he resided for a time in Greece or Egypt, where he instructed Clement of Alexandria. The church leader Epiphanius reports that Tatian later established a school in Mesopotamia, and its influence reached all the way to Antioch in Assyria, to Cilicia, and to Pisidia.
In Tatian’s work Oratio ad Graecos, he vigorously argued that paganism was vile and worthless, and he praised the reasonableness and the antiquity of Christianity. As early as the time of Eusebius, Tatian was referred to honorably for his views of Moses and the Jewish law.
Among his written works was a “harmony” of the four New Testament gospels, which he called the Diatessaron and which became nearly the only Gospel text used in Assyria during the Third and Fourth Centuries.
Tatian is believed by the Assyrian Church to have been a strong apostolic force in countries settled around the Euphrates River, and he is understood to have died in Adiabene in about 173 AD, although some project it to have been the year 180 or 185 AD.
All this insight affirms that Tatian was viewed as a serious intellectual and a strong spiritual force during his time. As such, he was tremendously respected and considered to be an authority on issues related to biblical history and Scripture.
Concerning the fallen angels and giants, Tatian likely quoted Justin Martyr when he wrote:
…[Angels] transgressed their appointment, and were captivated by the love of women, and begat children who are those who are called demons; and besides, they afterwards subdued the human race to themselves, partly by magical writings, and partly by fears and the punishments they occasioned, and partly by teaching them to offer sacrifices, and incense, and libations, of which things they stood in need after they were enslaved by lustful passions; and among men they sowed murders, wars, adulteries, intemperate deeds, and all wickedness.
Irenaeus (120/140 – 200/203 AD)
Irenaeus was bishop of Lyons in Gaul, a region which today is known as France. He was originally from Smyrna, which was located in the Roman province of Asia. In Irenaeus’ day, Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna. Thus, Irenaeus knew Polycarp — the renowned disciple of the apostle John who was famously martyred for his faith in the stadium of Smyrna.
Among the works that Irenaeus authored is Against Heresies, which is a series of books in which he combated Gnostic errors. Another well-known book he wrote was a commentary on Paul’s epistles. In addition to his monumental work Against Heresies, Irenaeus also wrote The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching. His influence was so great that noted scholars Hippolytus and Tertullian drew from his writings. Additionally, he is noted for devising the three pillars of orthodoxy — the Scriptures, tradition handed down from the apostles, and the teaching of the apostles’ successors. Indeed, Irenaeus’ influence is still felt today, and he is counted among the Early Church fathers.
Like Josephus, Irenaeus was a scholar noted for his scholarly credibility and trustworthiness. Concerning the fallen angels and giants, Irenaeus wrote in his work Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching:
And for a very long while wickedness extended and spread, and reached and laid hold upon the whole race of mankind, until a very small seed of righteousness remained among them and illicit unions took place upon the earth, since angels were united with the daughters of the race of mankind; and they bore to them sons who for their exceeding greatness were called giants. And the angels brought as presents to their wives teachings of wickedness, in that they brought them the virtues of roots and herbs, dyeing in colors and cosmetics, the discovery of rare substances, love-potions, aversions, amours, concupiscence, constraints of love, spells of bewitchment, and all sorcery and idolatry hateful to God; by the entry of which things into the world evil extended and spread, while righteousness was diminished and enfeebled.
