Neanderthals and the Nephilim:
Neanderthals and the Nephilim are related in that they are both part of human history and could have produced offspring together:
Neanderthals:
Neanderthals are one of the closest ancient relatives of modern humans, along with the Denisovans. Scientific evidence suggests that Neanderthals and humans shared a common ancestor and interbred regularly.
Neanderthal DNA is DNA inherited from Neanderthals, an early human species that lived in Europe and Western Asia from about 400,000 years ago until they became extinct about 40,000 years ago:
Percentage:
Most people outside of Africa have about 1–2% Neanderthal DNA in their genome. People from African populations have little to no Neanderthal DNA.
Origin:
Neanderthals and modern humans interbred, exchanging DNA through a process called introgression. This mixing likely occurred in Europe or the Middle East between 45,000 and 60,000 years ago.
Benefits:
Neanderthal genes may have helped humans adapt to new diets, survive, and become smarter. They may also play a role in the immune system, helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria.
Genetic evidence:
Neanderthal nuclear DNA shows evidence of a small population size, including genetic evidence of incest.
Testing:
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies can report how much Neanderthal DNA a person has.
Nephilim:
The Nephilim are said to be the offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men". Some interpret the "sons of God" to be angels or fallen angels, and the "daughters of men" to be human women. This view is popular and is described in the First Book of Enoch, a noncanonical Jewish text.
One theory suggests that after being expelled from Eden, Adam and Eve's descendants interbred with other hominids, including Neanderthals, resulting in the Nephilim. This could explain the genetic evidence of contributions from a larger hominid population in the present human population.
The Nephilim are mysterious beings or people in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) who are described as being unusually large and strong:
Appearance:
The Nephilim are traditionally depicted as being of great size and strength, or alternatively beings of great power and authority.
Origin:
The origins of the Nephilim are disputed. Some believe they were the offspring of the unnatural unions between angels and women, as described in Genesis 6. Others believe the word "Nephilim" means "the fallen ones" and that the offspring "fell short" of their fathers in some way.
Bible references:
The Nephilim are referenced in Genesis, Numbers, and possibly Ezekiel. In Numbers 13, Israelite spies encounter the Nephilim and are reminded of how important it is to trust in God's promises.
Translation:
The Hebrew word nefilim is sometimes translated as “giants” or taken to mean “the fallen ones”. In some Bibles, the word is narrowly translated as giants, but in others it is left untranslated.
The identity of the Nephilim is a source of debate for many theologians and scholars.
The children of the Nephilim are called the Elioud, and are considered a separate race from the Nephilim. However, they share the same fate as the Nephilim.
The Nephilim are a group of people in the Bible that are described as the offspring of sexual relations between angels and women. The Bible mentions the Nephilim in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:32–33.
Here are some interpretations of the Nephilim:
Fallen ones:
Some interpret the Nephilim as "fallen ones" who were either warriors who "fell upon" their enemies or people who had fallen far from God.
Sons of God and daughters of men:
Some interpret the Nephilim as the offspring of the unions described in Genesis 6:4. In this view, the "sons of God" could refer to angels or fallen angels, and the "daughters of men" could refer to human women.
Descendants of Sodom and Gomorrah:
Some interpret the Nephilim as descendants of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other cities of the plain. In this view, the Nephilim were 100% human descendants of Adam who fell far from God.
According to the Book of Enoch, the Nephilim taught humans many arts and technologies, including:
Weaponry: The Nephilim taught humans how to make swords, knives, shields, and breastplates.
Cosmetics: The Nephilim taught humans how to make cosmetics and beautify their eyelids.
Mirrors: The Nephilim taught humans about mirrors.
Sorcery: The Nephilim taught humans sorcery and other magical techniques.
The Nephilim were the offspring of unions between angels and human women. The angels, known as watchers, were sent to Earth to watch over humans but began to lust for human women. Their leader, Samyaza, encouraged them to defect to Earth and procreate with human women. The Nephilim were savage giants who endangered humanity. Eventually, God sent a Great Flood to destroy the Nephilim.
