Who Are the Watchers and Nephilim

By: Don Pirozok

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Watcher Angels in the Bible
Watcher angels are referenced in the Book of Daniel during King Nebuchadnezzar's visions. The specific verses—Daniel 4:13, 17, and 23—describe these beings descending from heaven with divine authority. Different translations of the Bible refer to these entities in various ways. For instance, the ESV, CEV, and KJV use the term “watcher,” while the NASB refers to them as “angelic watchers.” The NIV describes them more generically as “messengers,” and the NET uses the term “sentinel.”
The Hebrew word translated as “watcher” originates from a root meaning “wakeful one,” which can also be interpreted as “sentinel” or “guardian.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia describes watcher angels as servants of God who possess joint authority to speak God's decrees and form a heavenly council that conveys divine messages to humanity.
Watcher Angels in Noncanonical Literature
Noncanonical texts, such as the books of Enoch, provide more detailed accounts of watcher angels. These writings categorize watcher angels into two groups: fallen angels and holy angels. Watcher angels, according to these texts, are deeply involved in human affairs, sometimes even interfering in, or controlling situations.
The fall of the watcher angels is elaborated upon in the apocryphal book of 1 Enoch. Enoch's mission includes pronouncing judgment on these fallen watcher angels who, according to the text, resided in the fifth heaven. Grigori, a term found in 2 Enoch, refers to these fallen watcher angels. This name is a transliteration of the Greek word for “watcher,” as used in the Septuagint.
The narrative describes how watcher angels were initially sent to earth to oversee humans but eventually succumbed to an unnatural lust for human women. This resulted in a large group of rebellious watchers, the Grigori, seducing women and fathering a race of hybrid giants. These giants wreaked havoc on earth, threatening humanity.