Douglas Van Dorn. Giants. Waters of Creation, 2013.

Giants, subtitled Sons of the Gods, presents a discussion of one of the more curious Bible mysteries, namely, who are the Nephilim? The word Nephilim is used a few times in the Hebrew Scriptures and is usually translated “giants.” Using ancient commentaries and Jewish apocryphal writings, Van Dorn makes a case that these were giant people (7-12 feet or so [2.1-3.2 meters]) who were somehow offspring of humans and fallen angels. This is one interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4, which is one of the more opaque passages in the Bible.

Although tradition tells us that the Nephilim were one of the reasons God caused the great flood, the term is also used to describe a few larger than normal figures much later who fought the Israelites, men like King Og and Goliath. Regardless of what the reader may think about the origins of the Nephilim, most of the book follows the Biblical history of Israel and Judah. Here, the important thing was to keep the Jewish nation pure to remain chosen and to maintain a proper line of descent for the Messiah. Some of this is both interesting and inspiring. God has a purpose through history.

Van Dorn notes that this is not specifically racial or ethnic. Rahab the Canaanite and Ruth the Moabite are part of King David’s and Jesus’ ancestry. He suggests that the Nephilim were not entirely genetic sons of Adam. Like the devil himself, they had a hatred for human beings and for God.

The book also brings in historical and mythological accounts of giants from all over the world. He notes that large skeletons and stories of giants are often associated with structures like ziggurats, pyramids, and mounds. It also notes them associated with some ancient circular structures. In many places in the world including Europe, the Near East, and the Americas, the current or more recent inhabitants have traditions that they settled after giants left the region, whether through conquest, disease, or migration.

The author, for example, notes that in Genesis 3:15 God tells the serpent, “I will put enmity between your seed and the woman’s seed.” That suggests that the devil could procreate—which seems to contradict Jesus who said the angelic spirits do not procreate. However, that passage of Jesus says “angels in Heaven,” (see Mark 12:25) so perhaps on earth it was different at one time.

Regardless, of what the reader thinks of that idea, most of the book tells of the survival of Israel in spite of spiritual, political, and military opposition up to the time that the Savior of the world could be born—one who was truly human and the seed of woman.

The book is well researched, and uses many primary sources. For example, it mentions the belief of the early Christian writer Irenaeus. Irenaeus is a favorite of mine, and I could see that Van Dorn did not misquote or misrepresent that ancient apologist. He also notes numerous archaeological finds of very large human skeletons and of unusually tall houses and other structures.

I confess a little skepticism about some of the author’s interpretations. I suspect he may be giving the adversary more credit than he deserves, but the Biblical presentation can encourage the reader. I am also reminded of Deuteronomy 29:29:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever…

Some things of God are none of our business, but God is not offended if we ask (Luke 11:9, cf. James 4:2).