Do Nephilim Babies Go to Heaven?

This is an excerpt from an upcoming book, Hope in the Loss of a Baby: A Deeper Dive into what the Bible says about Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death.

Nephilim Babies

ChatGPT's interpretation of a baby Goliath

If Babylonian and Assyrian babies who die go to heaven, then what of Nephilim babies who die? Had I not been asked this question during the writing of this book I wouldn’t have even thought of it. But it is worth a brief consideration.

Let’s start with a definition: The most prominent theory on the Nephilim (also known as the Anakim and Rephaim) is that they are a hybrid race of half-man, half-fallen-angel (see Genesis 6:1-4) defined by their extreme stature and strength (Numbers 13:33). Their appearance in history was the final straw that triggered the flood (Genesis 6:5-6). There is no indication that any Nephilim ever sought God’s favor or forgiveness (2 Peter 2:4); rather, they are constantly seen as at war with the people of God until they were ultimately eradicated by David and his men (1 Chronicles 20:4-8). If there will be people from every nation, tribe, and tongue in heaven worshipping Jesus, then I believe we’d have to say Rephaim, Anakim, and Nephilim are not men because they won’t be there.

This question is worth considering because if a Babylonian baby dies—who would have otherwise grown up to defile himself and war against heaven—then God’s favor will welcome him into heaven as his own son. What happens then if a Nephilim baby dies? Will this half-man, half-demon inherit heaven on the same principle?

First, there is no indication in the Bible (or any other ancient book) that a Nephilim baby ever died. This isn’t just an oversight; it appears purposeful. When speaking of the destruction of Og, the Rephaim king of Bashan, Moses specifically says that when they destroyed the neighboring human kingdom of Heshbon, they devoted to destruction, “every city; men, women, and children” (Deuteronomy 3:6). Yet of the Rephaim dead it only says “people” (which I would translate “kin”) and that they left “no survivor” with no mention of children (Deuteronomy 3:3). Was this God’s providence that there were no Nephilim babies at the time of their defeat? Did Nephilim grow up faster than humans? I don’t believe there is a clear answer, but if Moses had eradicated giant babies, he would not have been shy to tell us about it.

Second, assuming this view of the Nephilim is correct, then they are wearing human bodies but have demon souls. In this case there is no redemption available, as it is only human babies who die that are saved by the blood of Christ. Remember, “it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the off-spring of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). A fallen angel, even a baby Nephilim, would have no hope of redemption.

Third, and this is largely speculation, but if the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), the devil is prowling around seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), and Satan does not war against his own kingdom (Luke 11:17-18), then he would not be actively seeking to destroy his own demons even as babies, especially while there are so many human babies created in the image of God for him to devour (Revelation 12:4-5). Never forget that Satan hates all human babies.

While it first appears as a complicated question without a clear answer, I can say with reasonable certainty that there will be no Nephilim babies in heaven because they never died as infants, they have no redeemer, and their place is prepared with Satan in hell (Matthew 25:41).

Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” ~ Matthew 25:41

Here’s a question I bet you’ve never thought of: Is Goliath in hell as a man or as a demon? Here’s the definitive answer,

What is that to you? You follow me. ~ Jesus