The first five books of the bible, known as the Pentateuch, have always been the foundation of Jewish and Christian belief. These first books describe the creation of life as we know it as well as the establishment of the Jewish faith, and the laws by which they are to follow. I have often read through the Old Testament, and have always been especially intrigued by the first two books of Genesis and Exodus.
After recently watching the film, Noah (directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe), I have been inspired by this film's interpretations of the story. In this blog I hope to better understand some of this subject matter, particularly the Nephilim and the Great Deluge.
The Flood Myth
The story of the great flood and Noah's ark has generally been understood as a legend rather than historical fact. It has numerous versions among different religions however usually follows a basic structure. The basic story is that God had grown tired of humans' wickedness and decided to bring forth a great flood to wipe out this evil and start anew. He thus chose Noah to build an ark that would carry two animals of every species, male and female, that could reproduce and begin a new string of life. Noah and his family endured the storm and eventually landed on dry land with the animals to begin a new covenant with God.
That is the general flood myth found in the book of Genesis, however there remains many questions to consider regarding the tale. Such as who helped Noah build this ark, why would God destroy what he created, and how did humanity become so wicked in the first place? Then of course there's the great mystery of the Nephilim, the fallen angels of God, and how they played a part in this tale.
The Nephilim
According to Genesis chapter 6 verse 4, there is a very vague passage about immortal beings that dwelt on Earth, known as the Nephilim.
 [6:4] 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.
This verse has mythological implications to it, as it describes a race of half-God heroes known as the Nephilim. According to the passage they were born from the Sons of Gods, who had intercourse with the daughters of mankind. (No different than in the case of the demigod warriors such as Achilles or Herakles of Greek Mythology)
These Nephilim were considered the heroes of old, perhaps warriors from heaven or even fallen angels that were stuck on Earth. It's a very romantic and intriguing concept to think that these half-god warriors dwelt among humans in the ancient days.
It can be speculated that these half-god immortals were looking for ways to redeem themselves and return to heaven. (In the film it is suggested that these creatures aided Noah in building the Ark and were thus able to ascend into Heaven) All of this is merely speculation however, and in the biblical story, the Nephilim are merely used as precursors to the wickedness of mankind. They are the reason God decides it is time to rid his flesh of wickedness and start anew.
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God's Judgement
In Genesis Chapters 6 verses 5 through 13, God had come to a final decision that mankind was wicked and must be destroyed. He was full or regret however found favor with Noah and decided to start anew with Noah at the helm of life.
[6:13] And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.
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Its quite likely that God's Judgement to rid the world of mankind was an after effect from Adam and Eve's failure in the garden of Eden. By this point there had been many descendants from Cain, Seth, and Abel however according to scripture these descendants were all consumed by corruption. Thus God was full or regret, perhaps feeling defeated by the serpent, he decided it was time to hit the reset button. And so came God's horrific deluge to end all the life he had created.
Noah's Ark
However in these early chapters of Genesis, where it appears quite clear that mankind has disappointed God, he still finds favor in one, and that person happens to be Noah.
 [6:17] For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.[6:18] But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. Noah is assigned the ultimate task to carry out God's wishes and salvage life on Earth. He builds the ark with God's specific dimensions and instructions to endure a terrible flood. It is not detailed in the bible how he builds the ark or summons the animals, yet one can only assume that it is through divine intervention. It does state however in the bible, that he only has 7 days to complete the project. Once the project is completed the Great rainstorm comes as promised. |
The Great Deluge
[7:11] In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.
[7:12] The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.  Once the storm stopped Noah sent out a raven who wandered the world foolishly. Then he sent a dove three times to explore the new world, On it's first flight it returned to the ark empty handed, on it's second flight it returned with an olive leaf, and on it's third flight the dove did not return at all. At that point Noah knew the Earth was dry once again. |
The New Covenant
After the horrible deluge was finished, God promised Noah that he would never bring destruction upon the earth again. However he also came to the realization that mankind was forever to chose between good and evil and he should not intervene because of it.
[8:21] And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.
[8:22] As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." 
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One final takeaway from this tale, perhaps not as important to the overall theme of the Deluge yet still as intriguing to me as a wine-enthusiast, is Noah's Vineyard. After the covenant is made and Noah and his family return to the land, he is consumed by the soil, (perhaps fittingly so after being at sea for nearly 200 days). At this point he becomes the first winemaker to plant a vineyard and the first to become drunk from it. His son Ham finds him naked in a drunken stupor, and tells his brothers Shem and Japheth. Because of this Noah became furious with his son Ham, and curses his son Canaan and his descendants.
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