From Genesis... can anyone translate?

[bytor2112]

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Things that make you go hmm....... can someone explain the meaning of these scriptures?

[PapilioMemnon]

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Things that make you go hmm....... can someone explain the meaning of these scriptures?

Bytor... before I say anything, I must tell you that I can't keep a straight face when I see your avatar!!!

I know that the Lord referred to the "Sons of God" meaning men of the covenant, and "daughters of men" meaning women outside the covenant. They married outside the covenant (Interfaith marriage) and the Lord was not pleased.

I studied that when I attented the Institute on Eternal Marriage; I learned the Lord is really strict about it.

The Lord mentions this several time on the OT, regarding interfaith marriage, one of the main problems with Solomon and many others who decided to do how they wanted.

Edited July 7, 2008 by PapilioMemnon

[VisionOfLehi]

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

And when there were a lot of people, the covenant men decided to marry non-covenant women because they were attractive.

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

The Lord lays out his punishment: In 120 years they will be destroyed. [The Great Flood]

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Some of the children born of the Sons of God and daughters of men were giants, like Goliath. This giants were very strong, and very well known for their strength.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Actually, and unfortunately, both Vision of Lehi and Papilio are wrong.

Genesis 6:3 is a fragmented passage that is parallel to the Coptic Version of the Book of Enoch. There are two versions of Enoch, the Coptic version (or Ethopic Version) and the Syriac Version. The coptic version goes into detail as to who the sons of God were and the Daughters of men were. What is even more supportive is the mention of the Nephilim in Scripture (giants).

From the Coptic book of Enoch:

VI-XI. The Fall of the Angels: the Demoralisation of Mankind: the Intercession of the Angels on behalf of Mankind. The Dooms pronounced by God on the Angels: the Messianic Kingdom (a Noah fragment).

CHAPTER VI.

1. And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. 2. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.' 3. And Semjâzâ, who was their leader, said unto them: 'I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a great sin.' 4. And they all answered

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him and said: 'Let us all swear an oath, and all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.' 5. Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. 6. And they were in all two hundred; who descended ⌈in the days⌉ of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. 7. And these are the names of their leaders: Sêmîazâz, their leader, Arâkîba, Râmêêl, Kôkabîêl, Tâmîêl, Râmîêl, Dânêl, Êzêqêêl, Barâqîjâl, Asâêl, Armârôs, Batârêl, Anânêl, Zaqîêl, Samsâpêêl, Satarêl, Tûrêl, Jômjâêl, Sariêl. 8. These are their chiefs of tens.

CHAPTER VII.

1. And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. 2. And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: 3. Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain them, 4. the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. 5. And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another's flesh, and drink the blood. 6. Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.

CHAPTER VIII.

1. And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals 〈of the earth〉 and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. 2. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjâzâ taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, Armârôs the resolving of enchantments, Barâqîjâl,

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[paragraph continues] (taught) astrology, Kôkabêl the constellations, Ezêqêêl the knowledge of the clouds, 〈Araqiêl the signs of the earth, Shamsiêl the signs of the sun〉, and Sariêl the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven . . .

CHAPTER IX.

1. And then Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel looked down from heaven and saw much blood being shed upon the earth, and all lawlessness being wrought upon the earth. 2. And they said one to another: 'The earth made †without inhabitant cries the voice of their crying† up to the gates of heaven. 3 ⌈⌈And now to you, the holy ones of heaven⌉⌉, the souls of men make their suit, saying, "Bring our cause before the Most High.".' 4. And they said to the Lord of the ages: 'Lord of lords, God of gods, King of kings, 〈and God of the ages〉, the throne of Thy glory (standeth) unto all the generations of the ages, and Thy name holy and glorious and blessed unto all the ages! 5. Thou hast made all things, and power over all things hast Thou: and all things are naked and open in Thy sight, and Thou seest all things, and nothing can hide itself from Thee. 6. Thou seest what Azâzêl hath done, who hath taught all unrighteousness on earth and revealed the eternal secrets which were (preserved) in heaven, which men were striving to learn: 7. And Semjâzâ, to whom Thou hast given authority to bear rule over his associates. 8. And they have gone to the daughters of men upon the earth, and have slept with the women, and have defiled themselves, and revealed to them all kinds of sins. 9. And the women have borne giants, and the whole earth has thereby been filled with blood and unrighteousness. 10. And now, behold, the souls of those who have died are crying and making their suit to the gates of heaven, and their lamentations have ascended: and cannot cease because of the lawless deeds which are wrought on the earth. 11. And Thou knowest all things before they come to pass, and

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[paragraph continues] Thou seest these things and Thou dost suffer them, and Thou dost not say to us what we are to do to them in regard to these.'

CHAPTER X.

1. Then said the Most High, the Holy and Great One spake, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech, and said to him: 2. '〈Go to Noah〉 and tell him in my name "Hide thyself!" and reveal to him the end that is approaching: that the whole earth will be destroyed, and a deluge is about to come upon the whole earth, and will destroy all that is on it. 3. And now instruct him that he may escape and his seed may be preserved for all the generations of the world.' 4. And again the Lord said to Raphael: 'Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl, and cast him therein. 5. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may not see light. 6. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. 8. And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin.' 9. And to Gabriel said the Lord: 'Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication: and destroy [the children of fornication and] the children of the Watchers from amongst men [and cause them to go forth]: send them one against the other that they may destroy each other in battle: for length of days shall they not have. 10. And no request that they (i.e. their fathers) make of thee shall be granted unto their fathers on their behalf; for they hope to live an eternal life, and that each one of them will live five hundred years.' 11. And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjâzâ and

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his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness. 12. And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgement and of their consummation, till the judgement that is for ever and ever is consummated. 13. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: 〈and〉 to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever. And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end of all generations. 15. And destroy all the spirits of the reprobate and the children of the Watchers, because they have wronged mankind. Destroy all wrong from the face of the earth and let every evil work come to an end: and let the plant of righteousness and truth appear: ⌈and it shall prove a blessing; the works of righteousness and truth⌉ shall be planted in truth and joy for evermore.

17 And then shall all the righteous escape,

And shall live till they beget thousands of children,

And all the days of their youth and their old age

Shall they complete in peace.

18 And then shall the whole earth be tilled in righteousness, and shall all be planted with trees and be full of blessing. 19. And all desirable trees shall be planted on it, and they shall plant vines on it: and the vine which they plant thereon shall yield wine in abundance, and as for all the seed which is sown thereon each measure (of it) shall bear a thousand, and each measure of olives shall yield ten presses of oil. 20. And cleanse thou the earth from all oppression, and from all unrighteousness, and from all sin, and from all godlessness: and all the uncleanness that is wrought upon the earth destroy from off the earth. 21. ⌈And all the children of men shall become righteous⌉, and all nations shall

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offer adoration and shall praise Me, and all shall worship Me. And the earth shall be cleansed from all defilement, and from all sin, and from all punishment, and from all torment, and I will never again send (them) upon it from generation to generation and for ever.

From sacred texts - Book of Enoch

The nature of the Book of Enoch is highly disputed. At one time, this book was highly prized as being as authoritative in first century Christianity as the epistles of the Apostle Paul. The history of both the book of Enoch and how it was lost through the annals of time, only to be rediscovered once again is intriguing to study. What is even more interesting is that Jude actually quotes from this apocolyptic book.

From Wikipedia, here is some information on 1 Enoch.

The book consists of five quite distinct major sections:

• The Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1 – 36)
• The Book of Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37 – 71) (Also called the Similitudes of Enoch)
• The Astronomical Book (1 Enoch 72 – 82) (Also called the Book of the Heavenly Luminaries or Book of Luminaries. )
• The Book of Dream Visions (1 Enoch 83 – 90) (Also called the Book of Dreams)
• The Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 91 – 108)

The results of contemporary scholarship in 1 Enoch are well represented by the monumental Commentary published in 2001 by George W.E. Nickelsburg in the Hermeneia series.[4] The shared view[5] is that these five sections were originally independent works, themselves a product of much editorial arrangement, and were only later redacted into what we now call 1 Enoch. This view is now opposed only by a few authors who maintain the literary integrity of the Book of Enoch, one of the most recent (1990) being Wossenie Yifru.

Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a great deal of the undercurrent to the narrative of the sections was claimed to be concerned with the era of the Maccabees and for that reason was dated during (or after) the 2nd century BC. The finding at Qumran of ancient pre-Maccabean fragments of the Book of the Watchers and the Astronomical Book has proved that this was not the case. 1 Enoch 6–11, part of the Book of Watchers, is now thought to have been the original core of that Book, around which the remainder was later added, not least because Enoch is not mentioned in it.

Only the Book of Dream Visions, containing a vision of a history of Israel all the way down to what the majority have interpreted as the revolt of the Maccabees, can be clearly dated during Maccabean times.

The Book of Parables appears to be based on the Book of Watchers, but presenting a later development of the idea of final judgement and eschatology, concerned not only with the destiny of the fallen angels but also of the evil kings of the Earth. The Book of Parables contains several references to a Messiah Son of Man, as well as messianic themes. As no fragments of this work were found at Qumran, Józef Milik took the view that this section dates from later Christian times.[6] However, since the term "Son of Man" is a Semitic phrase, and since the Book of Daniel also refers to a Son of Man in a context of judgment, most specialists now maintain that the work is a Second Temple Jewish document, likely composed as early as the late 1st century BC or the very beginning of the 1st century AD.

As for 2 Enoch, almost all scholars that deal with this book believe it was translated into Old Church Slavonic from a Greek edition, perhaps by Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Józef Milik has suggested that the "Book of Giants" found amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls should be part of the collection, appearing after the Book of Watchers. But for various reasons, this theory has not been widely accepted.

More info can be found here. Book of Enoch

I hope this helps.

[hordak]

Actually, and unfortunately, both Vision of Lehi and Papilio are wrong.

Genesis 6:3 is a fragmented passage that is parallel to the Coptic Version of the Book of Enoch. There are two versions of Enoch, the Coptic version (or Ethopic Version) and the Syriac Version. The coptic version goes into detail as to who the sons of God were and the Daughters of men were. What is even more supportive is the mention of the Nephilim in Scripture (giants).

From the Coptic book of Enoch:

The nature of the Book of Enoch is highly disputed. At one time, this book was highly prized as being as authoritative in first century Christianity as the epistles of the Apostle Paul. The history of both the book of Enoch and how it was lost through the annals of time, only to be rediscovered once again is intriguing to study. What is even more interesting is that Jude actually quotes from this apocolyptic book.

From Wikipedia, here is some information on 1 Enoch.

More info can be found here. Book of Enoch

I hope this helps.

Read the book before however

I was under the impression that angels/demons didn't have physical bodies?( not sure of the official dogma) If that's the case how would they impregnate women? And why wouldn't it still happen now?

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Read the book before however

I was under the impression that angels/demons didn't have physical bodies?( not sure of the official dogma) If that's the case how would they impregnate women? And why wouldn't it still happen now?

That is one of the most difficult questions to answer. Why? Because what we have is what we have. It is unfortunate that we don't have the original penned manuscript of Genesis, nor Enoch. Thus, to answer from silence is a very dangerous thing. All we are able to do is make a logical hypothetical guess as to what and how. If the Early Church claimed Enoch was definitely inspired and then centuries later it is found to be non canonical, there must have been some shift in ideaology and change in doctrine or belief. The fact remains, Jude quotes from Enoch, Genesis has a fragmented passage that deals with the same deluge that the Watchers section of Enoch deals with.

Unless one were to go to the extreme and claim that these angels were nothing more than an advanced alien civilization... (which of course brings to mine the German Author of Chariot of the Gods who claims that the Old Testament is the best historical account of Alien interactions with humanity and supportive of the UFO claims), then we are left with nothing more than scratching our heads and discussing how and why.

[Justice]

I agree more with hordak, not that you are totally wrong Truthseeker. I have read much about this on the Church web site. There is actually quite a bit about this topic by early prophets and others.

As hard to believe as it is, it is actually some combination of what you both say. It literally is speaking about the marrying outside of the covenant. Some early Church leaders speculate how these giants, like Goliath's family, were formed. Some say it could indeed be by someone other than mortal men, as their fathers. What is clear is that these others had to have physical bodies, ruling out that they were ticketed to be born on this earth, knowing Christ was the first to be resurrected.

Who they may have been is speculation. But, every road leads down "out of the covenant" one way or another.

It does raise a lot of questions. I hope no one gets stuck on this and doubts their testimony.

[VisionOfLehi]

Sorry, Truth, but this is the LDS Gospel discussion, and the Book of Enoch is not LDS Scripture, and what it says is actually contrary to the LDS teachings.

And, BTW, Gabriel is Noah.

Your quote from that Book of Enoch talks about Noah and Gabriel as two different people.

So please, if you're going to call me wrong on an LDS discussion, back it up with LDS accepted knowledge. I am more than willing to be corrected, but not when it's by something filled with error and not accepted LDS teachings.

[PapilioMemnon]

Actually, and unfortunately, both Vision of Lehi and Papilio are wrong.

Genesis 6:3 is a fragmented passage that is parallel to the Coptic Version of the Book of Enoch. There are two versions of Enoch, the Coptic version (or Ethopic Version) and the Syriac Version. The coptic version goes into detail as to who the sons of God were and the Daughters of men were. What is even more supportive is the mention of the Nephilim in Scripture (giants).

...

From the Coptic book of Enoch:

...

I appreciate your input, but my comment is based on what's been said by LDS prophets, not some other book/people/speculation/my own opinion.

My comment is/was based on the book below prepared by the CES & published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the verses were explained by President J.F.Smith, and Kimball:

From the Old Testament Student Manual Genesis - 2 Samuel, pg. 53-54:

Genesis 6:1-2, 21. What is meant by the "Sons of God," and the "Daughters of Men"?

Moses 8:13-16 further clarifies what is meant here and why this intermarriage is condemned. Commenting on the same verses, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

"Because the daughters of Noah married the sons of men contrary to the teachings of the Lord, his anger was kindled, and this offense was one cause that brought to pass the universal flood. You will see that the condition appears reversed in the Book of Moses. It was the daughters of the sons of God who were marrying the sons of men, which was displeasing unto the Lord. The fact was, as we see it revealed, that the daughters who had been born, evidently under the covenant, and were the daughters of the sons of God, that is to say of those who held the priesthood, were trangressing the commandment of the Lord and were marrying out of the church. Thus they were cutting themselves off from the blessings of the priesthood contrary to the teachings of Noah and the will of God." (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:136-37.)

President Spencer W. Kimball warned Latter-Day Saints today of the dangers of marrying outside of the covenant:

"Paul told the Corinthians, 'Be ye not unequally yoked together...' Perhaps Paul wanted them to see that religious differences are fundamental differences. Religious differences imply wider areas of conflict. Church loyalties and family loyalties clash. Children's lives are often frustrated. The nonmember may be equally brilliant, well trained and attractive, and he or she may have the most pleasing personality, but without common faith , trouble lies ahead for the marriage. There are some exceptions but the rule is a harsh and unhappy one.

"There is no bias nor prejudice in this doctrine. It is a matter of following a certain program to reach a definite goal." (Miracle of Forgiveness, p.240)"

Genesis 6:3. What is the significance of the promise of 120 years?

"Many scholars, who have only Genesis to study, beleive that this statement prophesied the shortened life expectancy that would take place after the Flood. In the Book of Moses, however, it is clear that the 120 refer to the time when Noah would preach repentance and try to save the world before the Flood was sent (See Moses 8:17). This period would be the time referred to by Peter as the time when "the longsuffering of God waited" (1 Peter 3:20). Because the people rejected the principles and ordinances of the gospel, preached to them by Noah, they were destroyed in the Flood. The Lord gave them more than adequate time to repent."

[Justice]

I was trying to be more diplomatic. :)

Maybe it's a fault.

[VisionOfLehi]

Different strokes.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

A Book review and some explanations regarding 1 Enoch and some parallelisms within the Book of Mormon.

Maxwell Institute - 1 Enoch

I am going to see if I can get the book in my possession and read through it... definitely does sound interesting.

[Doctor Steuss]

A Book review and some explanations regarding 1 Enoch and some parallelisms within the Book of Mormon.

Maxwell Institute - 1 Enoch

I am going to see if I can get the book in my possession and read through it... definitely does sound interesting.

I might have to add this to my wish list. I love the Book of Enoch (I've read it many times now [Richard Laurence's translation]). It's a bit hard to tell what all within it was in the "original" due to the vast editing that has taken place as time has gone by, but given the amount that we still have and how much Christ and His apostles liked to quote from it, maybe one day it will return to the place that Christ, His apostles, and the earliest Saints held for it -- as scripture (at the very least, I think it deserves to be held in the same regard as the apocrypha).

[bytor2112]

My friend thinks it means that Angels came down and had sex with the earth women and the women gave birth to a race of giants.

[Moksha]

My friend thinks it means that Angels came down and had sex with the earth women and the women gave birth to a race of giants.

Those rumors about Earth women just won't go away.

[VisionOfLehi]

Those rumors about Earth women just won't go away.

I seem to remember a movie about that!

[captain_nephi]

This is kind of a related question... so did the children of Adam and Eve inter marry or were there other mortal beings on earth that they married? Just wondering what everyone's opinion is? Seems related.

[VisionOfLehi]

My opinion?

Well, until I'm taught otherwise, I believe that Adam and Eve were merely the first and the most significant, and God still had the power to create more men and women, which is what I think probably what happened.

[rameumptom]

The problem with mentioning Goliath in terms of this period in Genesis, is that Goliath lived a millennium AFTER the Flood, and if we believe in a global flood, the giant lineages from before the flood would not have continued.

As for the Watchers and fallen angels in the Book of Enoch and other early books, I believe there is a way to understand it that makes sense for LDS. The term "angel" means messenger. While many view it as bodiless beings or whatever, it is clear from the Old Testament that angels were viewed as human/anthropomorphic beings. Abraham entertained 3 beings, including the Angel of the Lord's Presence (Jehovah). Samson's parents were taught by the same angel, but they did not know he was immortal until he ascended in the flames of their sacrifice. And Jacob wrestled with this angel.

In LDS theology, angels can also be mortals.

I view these fallen angels as being a combination of two stories: the Fall of Satan and his demons from heaven, and Cain's fall (and that of his descendants). These stories tell of gifted people/angels, who held secret knowledge from God. But in being led away, they used their gifts for evil purposes. Interestingly, some of the early stories of the Watchers describe their talents (tent maker, music, etc) in the same way that Cain's descendants are gifted in Genesis. So, there is a tie-in here.

While the term for giant that is used can mean a very large being, it can also mean someone that is mighty and strong. Early writings suggest both directions for the Nephilim. One book has the children of the Watchers as tall as the trees, while most describe Nimrod as one of the giants - a mighty hunter in the land, due to his possessing the garment of Noah!

In the book of Moses, Adam and Eve had children prior to Cain. But they only received a fullness of the gospel after grandchildren were being born. When Cain was born under this new covenant, Eve rejoiced saying she had born a child in the Lord. IOW, Cain was able to enjoy the fullness of the priesthood keys and blessings. Yet, Cain used this and other gifts for evil purposes, and later taught his children to do the same.

According to the Book of Moses, Lamech slew a man for tattling on their secret combination began by Cain. In other early books, Lamech slew Cain or other important people so as to obtain power over everything. In spilling the beans to his two wives, who then spread the knowledge of the secret combination abroad, it allowed other secret combinations to be formed and violence filled the earth. The earth was ready to be destroyed.

So, the Watchers were mortals that were given special gifts from God, and then fell completely away into sin. Some of their children were giants, either the very tall type, or the mighty type, or both. They developed Cain's secret combinations into a guild of sorts. This combination's secrets were revealed to the world, and then everything went to hell in a handbasket.

[rameumptom]

The Book of Moses tells us that Adam and Eve had children prior to Cain's birth, and Cain married the daughter of one of them.

That being said, it is possible that others may have also been on earth (just not of Adam's immediate lineage), and that anyone accepting the gospel could become a son of Adam, just as we can become sons of Abraham.

[captain_nephi]

Ya, I have always thought that evolution is a divine law. The world was sort of baked using natural processes and when the time was right, Adam and Eve--and the Holy blood line--would be introduced to the earth.

[Doctor Steuss]

I seem to remember a movie about that!

You need to talk to your bishop...

[Adeipho]

This is what my late uncle Hugh Nibly said about this. The "sons of god" refers to the rightious linage of Seth, son of Adam. The "daughters of men" referes to the line of the unrightious Cain. No angles popping human cherries and no half angel men (Nephilem) running around. That concept was invented by the roman church and the darkness of lack of understanding since there was a period of no priesthood upon the earth.

Hope it clears it up for ya!

[FunkyTown]

This is what my late uncle Hugh Nibly said about this. The "sons of god" refers to the rightious linage of Seth, son of Adam. The "daughters of men" referes to the line of the unrightious Cain. No angles popping human cherries and no half angel men (Nephilem) running around. That concept was invented by the roman church and the darkness of lack of understanding since there was a period of no priesthood upon the earth.QUOTE]

I have to question whether that's entirely true. While I don't doubt the Nibley was correct that conception between bodiless creatures and the embodied is impossible, I'm not sure how someone wicked laying with someone righteous would cause giants to appear on the earth.

Men like Goliath were descendants of these unions, but what these unions are I'm not sure. I can look it up in "Commentary on the Torah" by Richard Elliott Friedman tonight? If anyone would know, it'd be him. He's the head of Jewish studies at NYU. :)

Or, we could get a definitive answer from the Prophet.

[MrNirom]

I always understood the sons of God to be those men in the faith or church of God. The daughters of men.. were women that were not of the faith. And it displeased God that the men were marrying outside of the faith. Thus they were cutting themselves off from the blessings contrary to the teachings of Noah and the will of God.”

As the world grew more wicked.. God saw that wickedness would prevail.. and new children being born were being born into that wickedness because of their parents. And to stop that chain reaction from continuing.. the flood happened and he started again.

I think the giants had nothing to do with angels and daughters of men.

1 Samuel 17:4–11.

According to this passage, Goliath’s height was six cubits and a span. The most widely accepted opinion of the length of a cubit is about eighteen inches or, roughly, the distance from the elbow to the tip of the extended middle finger. A span is said to be one-half the distance from the thumb to the end of the little finger when the fingers are spread as wide as possible. These measurements would make the height of Goliath approximately nine feet, nine inches! It is not too surprising that the Philistines would have picked such a champion or that no man in Israel wanted to be Saul’s champion. It is unusual that anyone today is over seven feet tall, but it is commonly believed there were men in ancient times whose height far exceeded seven feet. There are references in the scriptures to giants in the earlier periods of history: in the days of Noah (Genesis 6:4), and in the time of the Israelites (see Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:10–11; Joshua 15:8). Called Anakim (meaning “long-necked” or “tall” in Hebrew) by the Israelites, this race of giants seems to have been virtually destroyed in the conquest of Canaan under Joshua (see Joshua 11:21). In fact, it is recorded that none of the Anakim were left except in Gaza, Ashdod, and Gath (see Joshua 11:22), which was Goliath’s hometown (see 1 Samuel 17:4).

Taken from Historical Collections of Ohio in Two Volumes, Noble County, Ohio:

Quote:

A History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, 1878 (in two separate entries):

In cultivating the soil in the vicinity implements have been found, and in excavating the ground for graves it is said that bones have been exhumed which seemed to have belonged to a race of giants.

This land at one time belonged to a Mr. Peleg Sweet, who was a man of large size and full features; and it is narrated that at one time he, in digging, came upon a skull and jaw which were of such size that the skull would cover his head and the jaw could be easily slipped over his face, as though the head of a giant were enveloping his ...

(Second entry)

The graves were, distinguished by slight depressions in the surface of the earth, disposed in straight rows, which, with intervening spaces or valleys, covered the entire area. The number of these graves has been estimated to be between two and three thousand. Aaron Wright, Esq., in 1800, made a careful examination of these depressions, and found them invariably to contain human bones blackened with time, which upon exposure to the air soon crumbled to dust. Some of these bones were of unusual size, and evidently belonged to a race allied to giants. Skulls were taken from these mounds, the cavities of which were of sufficient capacity to admit the head of an ordinary man, and jaw-bones [sic] that might be fitted over the face with equal facility. The bones of the upper and lower extremities were of corresponding size.