The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish religious work, corroborates the biblical account of giants in Genesis 6:2-4. However, some critics argue that the Book of Enoch’s credibility is compromised by its seemingly exaggerated descriptions of these giants. Specifically, 1 Enoch 7:2 describes the giants as being three thousand ells tall, which is equivalent to approximately 300 cubits or 135-150 meters (443-492 feet). This extraordinary height has led many scholars to interpret the description as metaphorical or mythical, rather than literal.
The context of the passage suggests that the giants’ size and strength are emphasized to convey their fearsome nature and dominance over humans. This literary device is similar to the exaggeration used by the ten spies in Numbers 13:33, who described themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants they encountered. The giants in the Book of Enoch might symbolize powerful forces or supernatural entities, rather than human-like beings.
The description of the giants’ voracious appetite, consuming everything humans produced and eventually devouring humans themselves, suggests they may not be human beings as we know them. Their supernatural nature is further implied by their extraordinary size and strength, which could be seen as akin to that of angels or demons. The Bible does not provide measurements for angels, but their power is evident in their ability to destroy cities and armies.
The Book of Enoch’s account of the giants serves to underscore the biblical narrative’s themes of divine judgment and the consequences of humanity’s sinfulness. While the literal interpretation of the giants’ height may be disputed, the text’s symbolic and metaphorical significance remains a valuable part of Jewish and Christian traditions.
And so, the Book of Enoch’s description of giants, though seemingly exaggerated, conveys important theological and symbolic meanings. Its corroboration of the biblical account in Genesis 6:2-4 reinforces the narrative’s significance, while its metaphorical language invites interpretation and reflection on the nature of power, strength, and the supernatural.
The Book of Enoch’s account should not be dismissed for exaggerating numbers, just like the Bible should not be discredited for the same reason. Both texts use quantities and numbers that go beyond imagination to highlight the immense scale.
In Genesis 22:17 and Genesis 32:12, God promises to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Similarly, in Exodus 16:13, God says that He will make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth.
These numbers may represent eternity, as we do not know how long humans will exist on Earth and continue to reproduce.
These verses employ hyperbole to convey God’s promises and blessings, emphasizing the vastness and abundance of His plans for humanity. The “stars of heaven” and “sand of the sea” serve as metaphors for the countless and limitless nature of God’s creations and promises.
The exaggerations become apparent when specific and actual numbers are mentioned. For example, in Deuteronomy 28:62, it says that the Israelites will be left with only a few people, even though they were once as numerous as the stars in the sky. In 1 Kings 4:20, it states that Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Judges 7:12 mentions that the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples settled in the valley, as thick as locusts, with camels that could not be counted, just like the sand on the seashore.
Although the Israelites of the Exodus were never as numerous as the stars, the emphasis here is on their significant and uncountable quantity. Similarly, the camels of the Midianites, Amalekites, and others could not literally be as numerous as the sand on the seashore, but their number was immense.
The Bible contains some noteworthy examples of extraordinary measurements, such as Goliath’s height in 1 Samuel 17:4, described as six cubits and a span (approximately 9 feet 9 inches or 2.97 meters). While this is exceptionally tall, it’s within the realm of human possibility. However, the dimensions of giant Og’s bed in Deuteronomy 3:11 are more striking, measuring nine cubits long and four cubits wide (roughly 13.5 x 6 feet or 4.1 x 1.8 meters). The width could be seen as a desire for comfort, but the length seems exaggerated. It’s essential to recognize that the Bible employs literary devices like hyperbole and metaphor to convey spiritual truths, and not every detail is meant to be taken literally. Similarly, the Book of Enoch also uses such literary devices to convey its message.
These are just a few examples, and the Bible contains other instances where exaggerated numbers are used to symbolize abundance and countless figures.
Let’s go back to the giants of the Book of Enoch. Chapter 6 to 7 describes giants born from the union of 200 angels (Watchers) who descended on Mount Hermon in the days of Jared. These angels, led by named leaders, swore an oath on the mountain, binding themselves together. The text then describes how the angels took human wives, taught them magic and enchantments, and corrupted them. The offspring of these unions, the giants, began to sin against animals, devour each other’s flesh, and drink blood. The context suggests that these giants were not human but mythical creatures, possibly a special class of angels. They seem to differ from other giants mentioned in the Bible, engaging in extreme practices like cannibalism and possibly bestiality with animals, reptiles, and fish. The exact nature of their sins against these creatures is unclear.
This brings us back to the definition of angels. They are messengers or agents. When they interact with humans, they seem to take on the human form, but we don’t know if they are always in that form, of which we should doubt.
Angels are subject to pain and suffering as both the Bible and the Book of Enoch imply. In agreement with the Bible’s account of the bottomless pit, the Book of Enoch (19:1-3) states:
“Uriel said to me, ‘Here shall stand the angels who have connected themselves with women, and their spirits, assuming many different forms, are defiling mankind. They shall lead people astray into sacrificing to demons as gods. These angels shall remain here until the day of the great judgment, when they shall be judged and ultimately destroyed. And the women who were with the angels who went astray shall become sirens.’ I, Enoch, alone saw this vision, which revealed the fate of all things. No one else shall see what I have seen.”
This passage in the Book of Enoch concurs with the biblical account of the fallen angels being bound and cast into the abyss (Revelation 9:1-3, 20:1-3).
Furthermore, the Book of Enoch (Chapter 21) describes the abyss as a place of frightening fire where the fallen angels will be confined “forever”. This usage of “forever” is similar to instances in the Bible where the word “forever” does not necessarily mean eternity, but rather a long period of time or until a specific event occurs.
For example, in Exodus 21:6, the Bible says that a servant who chooses to remain with his master “forever” is actually bound for a limited time, until the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:10-12). Similarly, in 1 Samuel 1:22, Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord “forever”, but this means until Samuel reaches adulthood and can choose his own path (1 Samuel 28:3).
In the same way, the “forever” in Enoch chapter 21, may not imply eternal confinement, but rather a lengthy period of punishment until a future judgment or redemption. This understanding is in line with the biblical concept of divine justice and mercy.
There are several Bible verses that use the phrase “forever” in relation to the Israelites, but with a meaning that is limited until the coming of Jesus or a specific event.
For example, Exodus 29:9 says, “And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute for ever.” The “forever” here, meant until the priesthood is changed, Hebrews 7:12.
Leviticus 3:17 says, “It shall be a perpetual statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (Until Jesus’ sacrifice, Hebrews 10:12)
Numbers 15:15 – “One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever.” (Until the New Covenant, Jeremiah 31:31-34)
These verses use “forever” to emphasize the lasting nature of the commandments, statutes, and ordinances, but their duration is limited until the coming of Jesus or a specific event, after which new covenant and dispensations apply.
We understand that the fallen angels will be released from the abyss on Judgment Day, not to receive redemption but to face a different fate. While they will no longer be confined to the abyss, they will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan and his followers, where they will suffer eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10). Therefore, we cannot fault the Book of Enoch for stating that the fallen angels will be in the abyss “forever”, as this refers to their temporary confinement until the final judgment, after which they will face eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
Please note that, according to the Bible, sinners will perish in the lake of fire rather than burn eternally. As discussed earlier, the phrase “burn forever” is often misunderstood to mean eternal torment, but the Greek word “katakaio” (κατακαίω) used in Revelation 20:10 and Matthew 25:41 means “to utterly destroy” or “to consume completely”.
The Bible says that the wicked will be “destroyed” (Psalm 37:20, Malachi 4:1-3), “consumed” (Hebrews 10:27), and “perish” (John 3:16) in the lake of fire. This means that they will cease to exist, rather than suffer eternal torment.
On the other hand, Satan and his demons will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:10), meaning they will suffer conscious punishment for eternity.
Back to the Book of Enoch’s account of giants, which seem to be mystical creatures born to women by fallen angels, finds some biblical parallels in the Cherubim and Seraphim. While not identical, these angelic beings share some similarities.
Cherubim, described in Ezekiel, have four faces (ox, lion, man, and eagle), wings, and wheels, serving as guardians of sacred spaces and symbolizing aspects of creation. They’re associated with God’s presence, appearing in the Garden of Eden and the Ark of the Covenant.
Seraphim, mentioned in Isaiah, have six wings, emphasizing their sanctity, and are linked to purification, as seen when one touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal.
The key differences lie in their appearance and roles: Cherubim have four wings and faces, representing wisdom and God’s presence, while Seraphim have six wings, focusing on praising God’s holiness and associated with purity.
Neither Cherubim nor Seraphim are human-like, highlighting their unique celestial nature and duties within biblical contexts.
Although the Book of Enoch doesn’t describe the giants’ appearance in chapters 6 and 7, it’s likely they had a human-like appearance inherited from their mothers, combined with mystical features from their fallen angel fathers. Their beastly nature is evident in their destructive behavior, devouring crops, humans, and eventually each other, drinking blood in the process. Their fathers, the fallen angels, may have resembled cherubim and seraphim in some way, but the giants they begot were undoubtedly hybrids or crossbreeds. Considering angels don’t always appear in human form, like cherubim and seraphim, the fallen angels may have been a diverse group, with some producing giant human-like offspring and others generating giant creatures. This mixing of angelic and human traits resulted in the giants’ unique and fearsome nature.
The Bible reveals that not all angels that stand before God are human-like. In Isaiah 6:1-3, a six-winged being, similar to the living creatures, sings praises to God. Revelation 4:6-11 and 5:6-14 describe the four living creatures before God’s throne and their roles in heaven. These creatures also summon the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-8) and unleash God’s wrath upon humanity (Revelation 15:7).
While humans often assume angels appear like us, the Bible says we are created in God’s image, not angels’. Perhaps God sends angels in human form to spare us from fearing their true appearance, which remains unknown to us.
The Bible reveals various types of angels, including cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures, which may not be messengers or errand carriers as commonly thought. This understanding opens up the possibility that the Book of Enoch’s account of the 200 fallen watchers, described as colossal in height and beastly in character, may be credible.
In conclusion, the Book of Enoch, a venerable Jewish religious text, harmonizes with the biblical narrative in Genesis 6:2-4, providing additional insight into the enigmatic giants of ancient times. Through its descriptions of the Watchers and their offspring, the Book of Enoch offers a complementary perspective on these mysterious beings, underscoring the convergence of ancient traditions and scriptural accounts. As we delve into the mysteries of the past, the Book of Enoch stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage and the enduring power of sacred texts to illuminate our understanding of the divine and the human experience.
While the Book of Enoch complements the biblical account in Genesis 6:2-4, the Bible also provides clarity on the seemingly exaggerated descriptions of the giant creatures in the Book of Enoch, which were the offspring of the 200 fallen angels and possibly others. The Bible’s depiction of the living creatures and cherubim, as well as the giants’ beastly nature, suggests that their appearance may have been more fantastical than human-like, making the extraordinary height attributed to them in the Book of Enoch more plausible. By reconciling these accounts, we gain a deeper understanding of these mysterious beings and the ancient traditions that sought to describe them.
Jaison Ndlovu (Angels Series 1-8) 
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