ABOUT GIANTS (3)

0. Introduction

a) Did GIANTS exist not only before but also AFTER Noah's flood? If they did exist, who were they? How big was their stature? Where can we find them in the Bible? The ones who lived before the deluge were known as the Nephilim "In those days, and even later, there were giants on the earth . . ." (Genesis 6:4)

b) Some believe these gigantic people were the product of fallen angels marrying human women. This cannot be true, however, as Jesus said angelic beings (whether righteous or not) do not marry (Matthew 22:29-30, Luke 20:34-36). Additionally, angels are composed of spirit, which is a completely different type of existence than man who was made from the ground (Genesis 3:19). Please see our article "Who are the Nephilim in the Bible?" for more information about this fascinating subject. Suffice to say, these giants perished in the flood along with the rest of humanity.

1. David and Goliath

a) The third mention of very large people in the Bible is within the well-known story of a young king David and Goliath.

i) 4 A man named Goliath, from the city of Gath, came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. (1 Samuel 17:4)

b) The length of a span is likely to have been around 9 inches (22.9 centimeters). If we also use the conservative length of a cubit mentioned above, Goliath the giant was at least 9 feet 3 inches tall (2.82 meters) - and likely bigger! He was a big enough man to wear a protective battle coat weighing more than 80 pounds U.S. and to carry a 26 foot spear whose head alone was an amazing 17 pounds U.S. (7.7 kilograms)!

c) Goliath the Philistine, however, was not a unique giant. The Bible seems to indicate he had a few brothers, each of which died in battle either at the hand of David or one of his fighters! The first giant brother is Ishbibenob, who David killed with the help Abishai (2 Samuel 21:16). The second was Saph, who was killed by Sibbecai during a battle between the Israelites and Philistines at Gob (verse 18). The third, at another battle that occurred at Gob, was named Goliath from Gath (verse 19). The fourth brother (who apparently liked to fight) was killed by Jonathan, a son of one of David's brothers, at a battle in Gath (verse 20). All these, according to scripture, were likely the descendants of Goliath whom David fought when he was young.

d) The Bible records for us at least three groups or races of people who produced giants after the flood. They are the Anakim (children of Anak), the people of Bashan, and the Philistines (Rephaim).