Nephilim or Fallen Angels in Leviticus
Second Irruption of Fallen Angels
For this Bible study chapter 18 of Leviticus begins with a warning to Moses from God to tell the people that they are not to walk after the manner or ordinances of Egypt from which they came, or "after the doings of the land of Canaan" which was the Promised Land, and their destination.
In chapter 18 the many references to "uncovering nakedness" in different family relationships is more than pulling a cover away, and is an euphimism for sexual relations. Further ordinances in that chapter forbid homosexual relations, relations with animals, or letting your seed pass through the fire of Molech. That last one was a religious custom of the people of Canaan involving their idol god, Molech. "Seed" means their children, and "pass through fire" was literal because they would sacrifice children by having them burned to death for the idol Molech.
The Nephilim, or fallen angels, were the reason for the great flood at the time of Noah's ark. These were translated as "giants" in Genesis, and the flood killed them all to rid the world of their supernatural evil. A second irruption obviously occurred because of evidence referenced later in Deuteronomy to Og, King of Bashan, the last of the giants.
These giants were evil beyond imagination, and their evil character helps put future Bible studies in perspective as God commands the people of Israel to destroy every man, woman, and child in places they conquered. The population of Canaan included half human and half supernatural beings, so destruction rather than intermarrying or following their idols was behind some of the ordinances given to Moses by God in Leviticus.
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: Leviticus 18:24 (KJV)
In future studies we will cover lands conquered where the Hebrews were to destroy all property and exterminate every living being, human and animal. In others, they spoil the cities of goods and domestic livestock and kill all males or all adult males. To the casual Bible student the brutal treatment of men, women, and children may seem shocking. Knowing the inhabitants of the Promised Land were intermingled offspring of fallen angels helps explain the form of divine justice being meted out.
Modern Descendants of the Fallen Angels
Was Og, King of Bashan, the last of the Nephilim? Yes. Are descendants of any fallen angels on earth now? No. As documented in the New Testament, the fallen angels are held in chains under darkness awaiting final judgment.
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 2 Peter 2:4 (KJV)
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 1:6 (KJV)
The phrase "kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" describes the first irruption as covered in a previous lesson about the "giants" of Genesis, as well as here. In Genesis chapter 6 the angels saw and desired the daughters of Adam, and left their habitation to marry and have children. These offspring of the giants were half human and half supernatural, large and powerful, and extremely immoral.
The Bible does not explain the power of the Nephilim to transform from spiritual bodies into human flesh capable of reproduction. Free will combined with supernatural powers and then defiance of God's laws could be factors, yet the mystery is not explained in detail in the Bible, so it is not for us to know.
Finally, here's a glimpse of future studies. The snares often referred to in the Old Testament become traps because the Hebrews conquer lands and allow sons and daughters to marry the foreigners contrary to God's instructions. Apostasy follows as the newlyweds accept the false gods of their mates and fall away into idolatry.
Article Source: www.ultimateriddles.com/leviticus-bible-lesson-03.html.
About the Author: Jim Degerstrom is an author who works in a faith based business offering custom website design and graphic art services, and documents Bible studies at his Ultimate Riddles Spiritual Journey website and blogs about spiritual growth on his Ultimate Riddles Spiritual Study blog from Kissimmee, Florida USA.
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