When I was
working in the late 1960’s till 1994, a colleague of mine who was the Head of
the Division of Cytologist at the Institute for Medical Research showed me and
another paediatrician colleague of ours a book called “Chariots of the Gods
written by Erich von Däniken. It was quite a fascinating book where it
describes how alien beings from other worlds landed on Earth causing ancient
civilizations to believe they were gods arriving in spaceships?
In the bible
too there were many verses that spoke about giants on earth in ancient times.
Let me quote a few of them here:
In Genesis 6:4
it describes: there were Nephilim on the earth in those days, and also
afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men, and they bore
children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
In Numbers
13:33, it says “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of
Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own
eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
In
Deuteronomy 2:11 it says: “Like the Anakim, they are also regarded as Rephaim,
but the Moabites call them Emim”
In
Deuteronomy 2:20 it says “It is also regarded as the land of the Rephaim, for
Rephaim formerly lived in it, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummin.
In Deuteronomy
3:11 it says “For only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the
Rephaim. Behold, his bedstead was an iron bedstead; it is in Rabbah of the sons
of Ammon. Its length was nine cubits and its width four cubits by ordinary
cubit.)
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Giants
David and Goliath is another example. I asked myself, were they aliens from another world that came and mated with the daughters of man? What did their offspring look like? Was that also the reason why God sent a Great Flood of Noah to destroy all of them? Were there any fossil remains of these giants or alien beings discovered so far, and how tall were they? These questions mesmerize my forever wondering and wandering mind even before I started working
Giants in the
Bible have intrigued not just me, but many throughout history, leading to
various interpretations and theories. Let me go deeper into this mystery to
explore the biblical, historical, and scientific point of view.
The Giants in
the Bible: Who Were They?
In the Old
Testament, giants are often referred to by several names. Let me give some
examples.
Nephilim:
The Nephilim
are first mentioned in Genesis 6:4, described as the offspring of the
"sons of God" and the "daughters of men." The term Nephilim
is often translated as "giants," but its exact meaning is uncertain.
It could derive from the Hebrew root naphal, meaning "fallen
ones."
Anakim:
Anakim is
mentioned in Numbers 13:33. The Anakim were described as giants and were
descendants of Anak. The Israelite spies reported feeling like
"grasshoppers" compared to them.
Rephaim:
This term is
used to describe another group of ancient giants. Deuteronomy 2:11 and 3:11
reference the Rephaim, specifically mentioning King Og of Bashan, whose bed was
around 13.5 feet long (based on the cubit measurement).
Emim and
Zamzummim:
These were
other names used by different tribes to describe the giants. The Moabites
called them Emim, and the Ammonites referred to them as Zamzummim (Deuteronomy
2:20).
The Fallen
Angels Theory:
Were they
aliens or fallen angels? There are a few popular interpretations regarding the
Nephilim and other giants. Let me go into these. This theory suggests
that the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6 were fallen angels who
took human women as wives. Their offspring, the Nephilim, were hybrids
possessing great size and strength. This view is supported by certain
extra-biblical texts, such as the Book of Enoch, which describes fallen
angels called Watchers who mated with human women.
The Alien
Hypothesis:
Some modern
interpretations speculate that the Nephilim could have been extra-terrestrial
beings or their hybrid descendants. Proponents of the ancient astronaut theory
argue that these "sons of God" were alien visitors who mated with
humans, giving rise to powerful hybrid beings. However, this view is not
supported by traditional biblical scholarship and is more rooted in speculative
theories.
The Lineage of
Seth Theory:
A more
conventional interpretation within Christian theology is that the "sons of
God" were descendants of Seth (Adam’s son), who were godly men, and the
"daughters of men" were descendants of Cain, who were considered
ungodly. The mixing of these two lines led to widespread corruption and moral
decline, culminating in the birth of violent and powerful men, metaphorically
described as giants.
Did the Flood
Aim to Eradicate Them?
The account in
Genesis suggests that the moral corruption and violence on Earth, partially
attributed to the Nephilim, were reasons for the Great Flood. Genesis 6:5-7
states that God was grieved by humanity's wickedness and decided to cleanse the
Earth with a flood. The idea is that the flood was intended to reset humanity
and remove the corrupt lineage, including the Nephilim.
Physical
Appearance and Size:
The Bible does
not give a detailed description of how the Nephilim or other giants looked, but
they were often described as extraordinarily tall and mighty. Examples include:
The Philistine
giant goliath was defeated by David, whose height is often cited as "six
cubits and a span," which translates to approximately 9-10 feet (1 Samuel
17:4).
King Og of
Bashan bed's size suggests he was likely around 11-13 feet tall.
While these
measurements seem enormous by today's standards, it is debated whether these
accounts were literal, exaggerated for effect, or symbolic.
Fossil
Evidence of Giants:
As far as I
have searched the literature and have read here and there, there are no
confirmed remains. Despite various claims, no verified fossil remains of
giants as described in the Bible have been found. Numerous reports,
photographs, and hoaxes circulate online, but they lack scientific credibility.
Human remains from ancient times are usually associated with normal human
heights or occasionally above average but not on the scale described for
biblical giants.
Gigantism is
some suggestions that accounts of giants. They may stem from observations of
individuals with gigantism, a medical condition that results in excessive
growth due to hormonal imbalances. However, this alone does not explain the
widespread myths of giant races.
What about
historical and mythological parallels I asked myself? As far as I
understand, myths of giants are found in various cultures worldwide, which may
suggest a shared memory or cultural motif rather than literal historical
beings:
For example,
in Greek mythology, titans and giants, like the Cyclopes, were enormous beings
that predated the gods. Then in Norse mythology they have Jotun (giants) that
were powerful beings often in conflict with the gods.
Sumerian and
Mesopotamian myths too have their beliefs. Stories of divine beings
mating with humans, similar to the Genesis account, are also found.
The idea of
ancient giants is deeply rooted in biblical texts and has led to much
speculation about their origins and nature. Whether viewed as fallen angels,
aliens, or metaphorical figures, they symbolize a time of great moral and
physical turmoil before the Flood. While there is no scientific evidence for
their existence, the enduring legends continue to captivate the imagination of
many, including mine.
If giants or
their remains are ever discovered, it would be an astonishing find, but until
then, their existence remains a fascinating part of biblical lore and
mythological storytelling.
Were these
giants given in the bible alien beings from another world that visited earth
till God decided to destroy them in the Great Flood of Noah? This is a
popular view among those interested in ancient astronaut theories or the idea
of extra-terrestrial beings interacting with early humans. The mysterious nature
of the Nephilim, their origins, and their mighty stature in the Bible
certainly lend themselves to speculation about beings from another world.
What about the
ancient astronaut hypothesis? The idea that the giants in the Bible, such as
the Nephilim, might be extra-terrestrial beings comes from interpretations
like those popularized by authors like Erich von Däniken (Chariots of the
Gods?) and Zecharia Sitchin (The 12th Planet). According to this
view, the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:4 are seen as alien visitors or
higher beings who descended to Earth.
Their
interactions with human women, resulting in the Nephilim, are thought to
represent genetic experiments or interbreeding, similar to how modern-day
geneticists might cross different species.
The Great
Flood of Noah could then be seen as an attempt by God to reset humanity and
cleanse the Earth of this unnatural hybridization, restoring the intended
order.
The Great
Flood of Noah:
I ask myself,
about the Great Flood of Noah. Was it God's intervention? In this context, the
Great Flood becomes not just an act of cleansing human wickedness but a
deliberate move to wipe out these hybrid beings, who may have posed a threat to
the natural order of creation. If we imagine these beings as alien hybrids,
their existence could have represented a corruption of the divine design for
humanity, prompting God's decision to intervene dramatically.
Link to Other
Ancient Legends:
My thought
about alien beings link to other ancient legends also fits well with other
ancient myths and legends worldwide:
For instance,
in the Sumerian texts - the Anunnaki is a group of deities who were said
to have descended from the heavens and interacted with humans, are often cited
in ancient astronaut theories. The idea that these deities could have been
extraterrestrials mirrors the biblical story of the "sons of God" and
the Nephilim.
In the Indian
Epics, in texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana they mention
beings with incredible powers, often described as coming from the heavens in
flying vehicles (Vimanas). These stories suggest advanced beings
interacting with humans in ancient times.
Speculative
Evidence and Fossils:
While there is
no scientific proof of alien beings or their hybrid offspring as described in
the Bible, the mystery remains a subject of fascination. Various discoveries,
such as elongated skulls found in places like Peru or megalithic structures
with unknown origins, have fuelled speculation about ancient alien influences.
However, mainstream archaeology often attributes these finds to human
activities or known cultural practices rather than extra-terrestrial
intervention.
Myth, Mystery,
or Reality?
The story of
giants, whether they were actual beings or symbolic representations, continues
to spark curiosity. The idea of ancient alien visitors ties into broader
questions about humanity's origins, our ancient past, and the possibility of
extra-terrestrial life influencing early civilizations.
My view on
these I believe is quite valid and supported with a growing interest in
exploring the intersections between ancient texts, mythologies, and the
possibility of extra-terrestrial life. It’s a fascinating lens through which to
view these ancient accounts!
Perhaps in
other worlds among the trillions of stars out there, there might be giants and
other forms of humanoids or human-like creatures we can never know. The
statistical probability for these alien creatures to exist out there is
extremely high. Why should only Earth be so unique to have life forms that only
we know? There is no way we can tell unless we can travel to another world to
see for ourselves. Likewise, beings from other far more advanced civilizations
can also travel here as ancient gods. Why not? Anything is possible in this
vast, vast universe with a radius of some 46.508 billion light years, and still
expanding, probably with more and more other worlds and other life created as
it expands. Why not? My mind is always wandering and marvelling at all these
unknown mysteries.
Having
explained all the above, I believe I have captured the spirit of curiosity and
wonder that drives both science and human imagination. The vastness of our
universe, with its trillions of stars and possibly even more planets, indeed
makes it statistically likely that life exists elsewhere. I have pointed out,
Earth being the only cradle of life among such a vast cosmos seems improbable,
especially when we consider the sheer scale of the Universe. With an observable
radius of approximately 46.508 billion light-years, the universe contains an
estimated 2 trillion galaxies, each with billions of stars. If even a tiny
fraction of these stars hosts planets in the habitable zone, the potential for
life is enormous.
Exoplanet
discoveries by missions like Kepler and James Webb Space Telescope have already
identified thousands of planets, some of which are Earth-like in size and
located in habitable zones where conditions might support liquid water and, by
extension, life.
The Drake
Equation and Statistical Probability:
The Drake
Equation, formulated by Frank Drake, attempts to estimate the number of active,
communicative extra-terrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. Although the exact
values of the parameters are uncertain, even conservative estimates suggest a
non-zero probability of other civilizations.
Given the vast
number of stars and the likelihood of planets, it’s statistically plausible
that intelligent life has evolved elsewhere and could potentially be far older
and more advanced than humanity.
The Fermi
Paradox: Where Are They?
Despite the
high statistical probability of extra-terrestrial life, we haven't yet
encountered direct evidence of it, leading to the Fermi Paradox—the apparent
contradiction between the high probability of alien civilizations and the lack
of contact.
One
speculative answer to this paradox could be that advanced civilizations have
developed the capability for interstellar travel, possibly visiting Earth in
ancient times. The myths of "ancient gods" or beings like the
Nephilim could be interpreted as encounters with these visitors. I shall
explain Drake equation and Fermi Paradox in another article.
Expanding
Universe and the Possibility of New Worlds:
As the
universe expands, the creation of new stars and potentially new planets is
ongoing. This continuous creation increases the possibility that life, in its
many possible forms, could arise in different conditions.
The concept of
an expanding universe, constantly forming new galaxies and worlds, is
awe-inspiring and suggests that the story of life is not static but dynamic,
with new possibilities emerging all the time.
Advanced
Civilizations as "Ancient Gods":
The notion
that highly advanced extra-terrestrial beings could be perceived as gods by
early humans is a compelling hypothesis. If they possessed technology capable
of manipulating the environment, traveling through space, or extending life,
these capabilities might be interpreted as divine powers by less advanced
civilizations.
This
hypothesis is echoed in various ancient texts and myths, where beings from the
skies imparted knowledge, built monumental structures, or interacted with
humanity in mysterious ways.
The Infinite
Possibilities of the Cosmos:
My thinking
reflects the open-minded approach necessary for exploring these great
mysteries. Why shouldn’t there be other giants, humanoids, or even entirely
different forms of life somewhere out there? The universe’s diversity suggests
that life could take countless forms, influenced by different planetary
environments, evolutionary paths, and possibly even different laws of physics
in other parts of the cosmos.
As we continue
to explore the universe with ever-more sophisticated telescopes and probes, and
as we refine our theories of life’s origins, the potential for discovering
alien life—whether microbial or intelligent—grows ever more likely.
May my dreams
take me on a journey through the stars and the mysteries of the cosmos!
I shall
explore more on this subject in my next article later.
Take Care!
jb lim
