The Nephilim and the Watchers

 

The Nephilim have long been a topic of fascination and debate among scholars, theologians, and ancient alien theorists. These beings are mentioned in both the Bible and the Book of Enoch, and their origins and nature are the subject of much speculation.

In the Bible, the Nephilim are described as a race of giants who were the offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men." This passage can be found in Genesis 6:1-4, which reads:

"When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, 'My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.' The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown."

The identity of the "sons of God" mentioned in this passage has been the subject of much debate. Some scholars believe that they were fallen angels, while others argue that they were simply the descendants of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. The "daughters of men," in this interpretation, would be the descendants of Cain.

In the Book of Enoch, however, the identity of the "sons of God" is much clearer. According to Enoch, these beings were a group of angels known as the Watchers. In Chapter 6 of the Book of Enoch, it is written:

"And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.' And Semjaza, who was their leader, said unto them: 'I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a great sin.' And they all answered him and said: 'Let us all swear an oath, and all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.' Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it."

The Watchers, according to the Book of Enoch, taught humanity a great deal of knowledge and technology, but also corrupted them with their teachings. In Chapter 8, it is written:

"And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways."

The Watchers also taught humanity about astrology and divination, which led to the worship of the stars and the creation of false gods. In Chapter 9, it is written:

"And they taught them charms and spells, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, andall the living things, and their flesh was devoured. Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones."

The corruption and destruction caused by the teachings of the Watchers led to the Flood, according to the Book of Enoch. In Chapter 10, it is written:

"And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjaza and his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness. And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgment and of their consummation, till the judgment that is for ever and ever is consummated. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever.'"

The story of the Nephilim and the Watchers is a complex and fascinating one, full of intrigue, corruption, and divine judgment. While there is much debate about the nature of these beings and their impact on human history, their legacy lives on in the imagination of people around the world.

Art by Che