The BEMA Podcast 209: Midrash — Noah’s Backstory and the Nephilim
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Mar 4, 2021 Peter Enns and Jared Byas join Marty Solomon and Brent Billings to explore the backstory of Noah and the Nephilim from Genesis 6. They discuss the importance of approaching midrash with humility and openness, the increase in human population and the marriage of the 'sons of God,' the presence of the Nephilim before and after the flood, interpretations of Ham's actions and the curse of Canaan, and the role of the hosts as tour guides and facilitators of learning.
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Midrash Requires Humility and Openness
- Midrash requires humility; we're not experts and must hold interpretations loosely.
- It teaches us how to think by asking better questions rather than giving definitive answers.
Nephilim Survival Mysteries
- The Nephilim appear before and after the flood, raising questions about their survival.
- Midrash suggests creative explanations, like Nephilim surviving atop the Tower of Babel or clinging to Noah's Ark.
Ham, Castration, and Revenge Theme
- Midrash interprets Ham's act of seeing Noah's nakedness as castration or mocking his impotence.
- The story highlights dangers of revenge and insecure lashing out within family dynamics.