The watcher angels, also known as the Grigori or Irin, are a group of fallen angels mentioned in the Book of Enoch and other ancient Jewish writings. Though not directly mentioned in the Bible, they have become an important part of Judeo-Christian lore and tradition over the centuries.
The story of the watcher angels begins in Genesis 6, where we read about the “sons of God” marrying the “daughters of men” and giving birth to the Nephilim, who were mighty heroes and warriors of ancient times. Though Genesis does not elaborate on the identity of these “sons of God,” later extrabiblical texts like 1 Enoch explain that they were angels, called Grigori or “Watchers,” who were sent to earth to watch over humanity but lusted after human women and mated with them.
The offspring of these forbidden unions were the Nephilim giants. Angered by the sins of the watchers, God sent the Great Flood to wipe out the Nephilim and imprisoned the disobedient Grigori angels. However, according to the Book of Enoch, some of the watchers continued their disobedience after the flood as well.
Let’s explore in detail what the Bible and other ancient sources have to say about the origin, exploits, and fate of these mysterious watcher angels.
The Watcher Angels in the Bible
The term “watcher” is not found in the Bible, but the concept appears in a few key passages:
Genesis 6:1-4
This is the key passage about the mysterious “sons of God” mating with human women and birthing the warrior-like Nephilim giants. The identity of these “sons of God” has been debated for millennia, with theories ranging from human rulers and nobles to actual fallen angels.
When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. (Genesis 6:1-4)
Job 1:6
The “sons of God” present themselves before the Lord, with Satan appearing as one of them. This passage presents the “sons of God” as some type of divine beings.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. (Job 1:6)
Job 38:7
This poetic passage describes the sons of God shouting for joy when God laid the foundations of the earth.
When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)
So in the Hebrew Bible, the “sons of God” seem to refer to some type of supernatural being that was present at creation and also—at least some of them—lusted after human women later on. But their exact identity remains ambiguous in the Old Testament canon itself.
The Watcher Angels in the Book of Enoch
It is in the extrabiblical Book of Enoch where the watcher angels or Grigori are fully revealed and described. This mystical ancient Jewish text, dated to around 300 BC, expands on Genesis 6 and reveals details about these mysterious angelic beings:
The Watchers Sent to Earth as Guardians
Enoch explains that in ancient times, 200 watcher angels, led by Semjaza/Samyaza, were sent by God to earth to watch over humanity and teach them righteousness. Their leader is also called Azazel in some translations.
It happened after the sons of men had multiplied in those days, that daughters were born to them, elegant and beautiful. And when the angels, the sons of heaven, beheld them, they became enamoured of them, saying to each other, “Come, let us select for ourselves wives from the progeny of men, and let us beget children.” (1 Enoch 6:1-3)
The Watchers Give Forbidden Knowledge
However, Azazel and the watchers lusted after the women of earth and took them as wives. They also began to teach forbidden knowledge to humanity, including spells, enchantments, astrology, weapon making, cosmetics, and other acts of disobedience. This led to violence and corruption spreading over the earth.
And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals 〈of the earth〉 and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. (1 Enoch 8:1-2)
The Nephilim Giants Born
The forbidden relations between the watchers and human women then gave rise to the Nephilim giants, monstrous hybrid offspring who terrorized the people of earth. The wickedness of humanity and the giants both reached unprecedented levels, to the horror of the loyal archangels but amusement of the rebellious watchers.
And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain the, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another’s flesh, and drink the blood. (1 Enoch 7:3-5)
God Sends the Flood
Seeing the utter wickedness caused by the watchers and Nephilim, along with rampant sexual immorality and violence over the earth, the archangels pleaded with God to intercede. So God sent the Great Flood to wipe out the Nephilim and imprison the rebellious watcher angels for 70 generations under the earth.
And the Lord said, “My spirit shall not remain with these men forever, because they are flesh, and they will live one hundred and twenty years.” And He sent Uriel to Noah, to announce to him destruction and the flood for one year… And God said to Raphael: “Bind Azazel hand and foot and throw him into the darkness!” And he made a hole in the desert which was in Dudael, and cast him there; he threw on top of him rugged and sharp rocks. And he covered his face in order that he may not see light, and that he may be sent into the fire on the great day of judgment. (1 Enoch 10:1-6)
Some Watchers Continued Disobedience
According to 1 Enoch, even after being condemned and bound under the earth, some of the watcher angels continued their forbidden teachings to humanity. Azazel is blamed for continuing to corrupt mankind with instruments of war and women’s decorations. Another fallen watcher named Asbeel is said to have taught the secrets of astrology. Gadreel is mentioned as the one who introduced weapons of war. These disobedient watchers left their angelic duties and continued lusting after human women and corrupting God’s creation even after the flood.
And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. (1 Enoch 8:1-2)
Final Punishment of the Watchers
The Book of Enoch says that the ultimate punishment of the watcher angels will come at the final judgement, when they are thrown into the lake of fire. Their wickedness and corruption will come to an absolute end.
And the stars which roll over the fire are they which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord in the beginning of their rising, because they did not come forth at their appointed times. And He was wroth with them, and bound them till the time when their guilt should be consummated even for ten thousand years.’ (1 Enoch 21:6-7)
Key Points About the Watcher Angels:
- They were initially sent to earth as guardians for humanity
- They lusted after human women and took them as wives
- Their offspring were the giant Nephilim warriors
- They gave humans forbidden knowledge and arts
- God sent the Flood to wipe out their corrupted offspring
- The watchers were bound under the earth for 70 generations
- Some continued forbidden acts even after the Flood
- Their final punishment will come at the last judgement
Parallels With Other Ancient Lore
The story of the watcher angels in Enoch bears similarities with legends from other ancient cultures about angelic beings mating with humans and birthing demigod offspring:
- Greek mythology – Stories of titans and giants abound, along with demigods like Hercules born from human-divine relations.
- Canaanite mythology – El and Asherah as creator gods; Baal and Anat as fertility gods who likely bore the Rephaim giants.
- Mesopotamian mythology – Igigi gods mating with humans and breeding the Nephilim, inspiring the Flood. The Apkallu culture bringers.
- Hindu texts – Angels and gods relation with beautiful women, begetting powerful hybrid offspring.
- Norse myths – Between the Aesir and Vanir gods and humans, breeding special children.
The story in Enoch of angelic “sons of God” interbreeding with humans clearly has deep roots across ancient cultures worldwide, though details differ.
Interpretations and Implications
Throughout history, Bible scholars have debated various interpretations about the watcher angels/Grigori:
- Literal fallen angels – Most straightforward reading is they are actual rebellious angelic beings.
- Ancient rulers / nobles – View that “sons of God” refers to ancient kings and chieftains.
- Extrabiblical mythology – Literary references to myths outside the Bible.
- Demonic spirits – The “sons of God” are demons or spirits, not actual angels.
Some implications and questions about the watchers that continue to intrigue scholars and readers:
- Can angelic beings and humans procreate, and what does this imply theologically?
- What forbidden knowledge and arts did the watchers impart to humans?
- What was their motivation to rebel and disobey God’s commands?
- What is their ongoing influence, if any, in the spiritual realm?
Conclusion
The story of the mysterious watcher angels known as the Grigori offers fascinating glimpses into ancient Jewish traditions and lore about angelic beings interacting with the human realm. Their origin story as divine guardians gone astray due to lust and forbidden knowledge resonates with mythical themes found across other cultures worldwide. Their identity and influence continue to be debated by scholars, but the Watcher Angels remain an integral part of Judeo-Christian apocryphal tradition.