Book of Giants

There is a reference to a “Book of Giants,” which is an ancient text associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

About the Book of Giants

The text is a fragmentary work believed to have originated in the Second Temple period of Jewish history and is linked to the apocryphal “Book of Enoch.” The “Book of Giants” expands upon the biblical story of the Nephilim, the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men,” mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. It describes how the giants, or Nephilim, descended from these unions and engaged in violent and corrupt behavior, leading to their downfall.

The “Book of Giants” gives a more detailed account of the giants’ destruction, emphasizing their dreams of divine judgment and their eventual plea for mercy, which is denied. This ancient text reflects themes of the corrupt nature of the giants and the flood narrative.

Fragments of the “Book of Giants” were discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Qumran caves. While not as complete as the “Book of Enoch,” it provides an intriguing glimpse into ancient Jewish beliefs regarding giants, the origins of evil, and divine retribution. It is a part of the broader literature of Jewish apocalyptic writings.

What Happened to the Giants

According to the “Book of Giants” and related ancient texts, the Nephilim (or giants) were destroyed due to their great wickedness and corruption. Here’s a summary of what happened to them based on the content of these writings:

1. Origins of the Giants: The giants were born from the union of the “sons of God” (often interpreted as fallen angels or divine beings) and human women, as mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. These beings became known as the Nephilim, described as mighty and powerful, but also exceedingly violent and corrupt.
2. Corruption and Wickedness: The “Book of Giants” elaborates on how the giants, due to their enormous strength and size, indulged in destructive behavior. They not only caused great harm to humans but also corrupted the Earth by consuming everything, even turning to cannibalism and eating animals and humans. This chaotic behavior defiled creation and contributed to the growing wickedness of the world before the Flood.
3. Divine Judgment: In the “Book of Giants,” some of the giants are depicted as receiving dreams that foretell their impending destruction. These dreams warn them that the great Flood is coming as a divine judgment upon their violence and sins. Distressed by these visions, the giants seek to understand their fate and even appeal to the patriarch Enoch (who, in Jewish tradition, was a righteous man taken to heaven by God).
4. Plea for Mercy: The giants, through Enoch, attempt to plead for mercy and try to escape the judgment that is coming. However, their plea is ultimately rejected by God, who decrees that they must be destroyed for the corruption they have spread on Earth.
5. The Great Flood: According to the story in the Bible and other apocryphal literature, including the “Book of Giants,” the giants were wiped out by the Great Flood. This catastrophic event, described in the book of Genesis, is seen as a direct act of divine intervention to cleanse the Earth of the giants and the wickedness that had overrun humanity.
6. Spirits of the Giants: Even though their physical bodies were destroyed in the Flood, it is said in some Jewish traditions (like in the Book of Enoch) that the spirits of the giants remained. These disembodied spirits were believed to become demons or evil spirits that continue to influence and corrupt mankind after the Flood. They are often seen as the spirits of the dead Nephilim, eternally restless and seeking to wreak havoc.

The destruction of the giants is a major turning point in ancient Jewish and Christian eschatology, marking the cleansing of the Earth before God establishes a new order with Noah and his descendants.

About Giants of 100 Years Ago

The giants you may have seen in old photographs from around 100 years ago are likely not the same as the mythological or biblical Nephilim described in ancient texts like the “Book of Giants” or the “Book of Enoch.” Those ancient giants were often depicted as violent and corrupt beings. However, various cultures and traditions around the world have different stories about giants, many of which don’t align with the dark portrayal of the Nephilim.

There are a few things to consider regarding these different kinds of giants:

1. Folkloric Giants

In many folklore traditions worldwide, giants are often depicted as more benevolent or neutral beings. In European fairy tales, for example, giants can be gentle or even heroic, though sometimes misunderstood. Think of stories like “Jack and the Beanstalk” or the giant characters in Norse mythology (such as the frost giants), who could be either antagonists or allies.

2. Historical Figures of Unusual Size

Some historical photos and stories from the 19th and early 20th centuries depict individuals who had gigantism, a medical condition that causes abnormal growth due to a hormonal imbalance. People like Robert Wadlow, the tallest person in recorded history, grew to 8 feet 11 inches and became widely known for his kind and gentle demeanor. These real-life giants were often very compassionate and not at all the malevolent figures described in ancient religious texts.

3. Mythological and Cultural Interpretations

Giants in mythology are not always depicted as evil. In some ancient cultures, giants were seen as wise, strong protectors or even gods. For instance:

• In Greek mythology, the Titans (a race of giants) ruled before the Olympian gods and were powerful but not always malevolent.
• Native American stories often describe giants that were part of the earth’s early days, sometimes protecting their tribes or helping with natural phenomena.
• Irish legends tell of Fionn mac Cumhaill, a giant hero known for his wisdom and strength.

4. Romanticized Imagery

In more recent history, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a fascination with giant skeletons, archaeological finds, and other mysterious discoveries. Often, these were sensationalized or misinterpreted for entertainment or pseudo-historical purposes. Many photos were staged or altered, leading to the romanticization of giants as kind, gentle, and misunderstood beings. The depictions you saw might have been part of that trend.

5. Modern Interpretations of Giants

In contemporary literature and pop culture, giants are often depicted as more complex and less malevolent. In some modern stories, they are kind, misunderstood creatures who struggle with their size and differences from humans, much like how certain representations of Frankenstein’s monster have evolved.

So, while giants in photos of 100 years ago might appear kind and gentle, they are probably not connected to the ancient giants like the Nephilim, who were portrayed more negatively in biblical and apocryphal writings. Instead, these more recent depictions reflect a different cultural interpretation, often shaped by folklore, medical conditions, or even artistic creativity.

To explore the images of giants you mentioned, let’s consider a few possibilities and common sources where these depictions might have originated:

1. Historical Giants and Gigantism

Some of the images of giants from around 100 years ago might show real individuals who suffered from a condition called gigantism, caused by excessive growth hormone. People like Robert Wadlow, who was the tallest man in recorded history, standing at 8 feet 11 inches, were often featured in photos that circulated in the early 20th century. These individuals were usually characterized as kind and gentle. You might have seen such images, which could be historical photographs of people with gigantism, often appearing alongside much smaller people for contrast.

Famous Examples of Real-Life Giants:

• Robert Wadlow: Known as the “Gentle Giant,” Wadlow was known for his calm demeanor despite his extraordinary height.
• Anna Haining Bates: A Canadian woman who stood at over 7 feet and was part of a famous “giant couple” in the 19th century.
• Charles Byrne: An Irish giant who became famous in the 18th century for his incredible height.

2. Sensationalized Photographs

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there were various sensationalized stories about the discovery of giant skeletons or remains of ancient giants. This was during a time of great fascination with archaeological discoveries and mysteries of the ancient world, so many images and illustrations circulated, either as part of newspaper hoaxes or creative storytelling.

Famous Examples of Staged or Hoax Photos:

• “Giant Skeletons”: There were many photos, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s, showing large excavated skeletons, which were often staged or exaggerated for dramatic effect. Some images were manipulated or taken out of context.
• Freak Shows and Circuses: Giants were often featured in sideshows and circuses as part of “freak shows” in the early 20th century. They were displayed in posters and photographs that exaggerated their size or highlighted their height alongside much smaller people.

3. Artistic and Romanticized Depictions

Many artists in the 19th and 20th centuries also took inspiration from folklore and myth, creating images of giants that appeared kind, wise, or heroic. These depictions were often romanticized, showing the giants as benevolent figures towering over humans but without menace.

• Giant Figures in Fairy Tales: Giants in illustrations of European fairy tales, such as those in books like “Jack and the Beanstalk”, often appeared kind or misunderstood. While some were depicted as threatening, many were shown as gentle giants.
• Mythological Giants in Art: Artists drew on stories from Norse, Greek, and other mythologies to paint and illustrate giants in ways that made them seem less monstrous and more like divine or wise beings. These images can sometimes show giants in peaceful or nurturing roles.

4. Giants in Archaeology

There have been rumors and stories about ancient giants, and some old photos or illustrations show their remains. These stories have persisted into modern times, often connected to archaeological discoveries. While mainstream science doesn’t support the existence of actual ancient giants, there are many old images that show skeletons or massive graves that belong to these beings.

• The Cardiff Giant: A famous 19th-century where a large “petrified giant” was displayed in upstate New York.

5. Exploring Giants in Folklore

Across many cultures, giants are depicted as kind or noble figures, and these portrayals often seep into artwork and imagery. You may have come across images inspired by:

• Norse Mythology: The frost giants, Jotnar, are sometimes depicted as wise and protective beings, especially in modern retellings.
• Irish Mythology: Giants like Fionn mac Cumhaill are portrayed as great heroes and wise figures.

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