Interesting Facts

• The Naphidim were sons begotten through fornication between the Watchers and the daughters of men.
• The Naphidim were unlike one another.
• The Naphidim devoured one another.
• The Giants slew the Naphil.

Genealogy

• The Naphidim were the sons of the Watchers who went “a whoring after the daughters of men”.
• Their mothers were the daughters of men.
• The text mentions that the Giants slew the Naphil, indicating a potential relationship or conflict between these groups, although it does not specify a direct genealogical link beyond co-existence.

Historical Context

The emergence of the Naphil is explicitly linked to a period of significant iniquity on the earth before the flood. This time was characterized by the Watchers acting against the law of their ordinances, engaging in fornication with the daughters of men. This transgression led to the birth of the Naphidim. The text places this event as one of the primary reasons for the flood upon the earth, alongside fornication, uncleanness, and violence. The interaction between the Naphidim and other groups like the Giants (who are said to have slain them) further illustrates a chaotic and destructive period preceding the deluge. Noah, in his instructions to his sons, specifically mentions the fornication of the Watchers and the resulting Naphidim as a key factor leading to the earth’s destruction, highlighting the significance of this event in the antediluvian world.

Narrative

The narrative surrounding the Naphil is one of transgression and violence. Their very existence is presented as a consequence of the forbidden union between the Watchers and humans. The text states that they were “unlike,” suggesting a deviation from natural order or perhaps monstrous characteristics. Their actions are described as involving devouring one another, portraying a state of extreme lawlessness and self-destruction. The fact that “the Giants slew the Naphil” indicates a world filled with conflict and further underscores the chaotic nature of this era. The Naphil do not engage in dialogue within these excerpts, but their existence and the violence attributed to them serve as a critical element in the justification for the flood, showcasing the extent of the corruption that necessitated divine judgment. Their story acts as a cautionary tale within Noah’s admonitions to his sons, warning against similar paths of iniquity.