Demi

by Quinn G. Caldwell | published on Sep 11, 2025

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose. … The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown. – Genesis 6:1-4 (NRSV) 

The Nephilim are one of the fun mysteries of the Bible. Exactly what they were (are?!) is unknown. Are the Nephilim the “sons of God” that went in to the “daughters of humans,” or are they the result of such unions? And are these metaphorical or literal sons of God? Are they heroes or giants or both? 

No matter how you understand them, the Nephilim stand in the tradition of half-human, half-divine super-powerful beings doing big things long ago. Greek and Roman demigods come to mind, of course, but there are similar stories from all over the globe. People just seem to love the idea that heroes of old and warriors of renown had some especially close genetic relationship with the divine. 

I don’t know whether you’ll think it’s good or bad, but I’ve got news for you. The Nephilim aren’t the only offspring between God and the children of humans. You’re the result of such a coupling yourself. Me too. 

Humanity with the spark of God inside, earth joined to God’s own breath, a union that shouldn’t be viable but is wonderfully so: that’s us. And as far as I can tell, versions of us is all there’s ever been. 

Maybe the heroes of old were some sort of giant demigods. But the people of renown for today? The heroes of now? That’s going to have to be you and me. 

Prayer
Guide me on this hero’s journey, O God. Amen.

Quinn G. CaldwellAbout the Author
Quinn G. Caldwell is Chaplain of the Protestant Cooperative Ministry at Cornell University. His most recent book is a series of daily reflections for Advent and Christmas called All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas. Learn more about it and find him on Facebook at Quinn G. Caldwell.