Nephilim are mysterious figures referenced in biblical texts, most notably in early Hebrew bible and derivative stories that describe the world before the flood. They are described with exceptional stature like giants, strength, or fame, connected to the union of angels and humans that blur established boundaries between different realms. Later traditions interpret the Nephilim in varied ways, including as warriors, giants, or symbols of violence and corruption. Within these traditions, they function less as fully developed characters and more as symbols of a troubled era that precedes divine judgment and major transformation.
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References
- Hendel, Ronald, "The Nephilim Were on the Earth: Genesis 6:1–4 and Its Ancient Near Eastern Context" in Auffarth, Christoph, and Loren T. Stuckenbruck (eds.) The Fall of the Angels
- Kugel, James L., A Walk through Jubilees: Studies in the Book of Jubilees and the World of Its Creation
- Nickelsburg, George W. E., A Commentary on the Book of 1 Enoch Chapters 1-36, 81-108
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