Re: Jovial "Giants - Why the variation in size?" (21 Sep 2014)"

Blessings Joe.

There is a medical condition known as acromegaly which results in an increase or continual production of human growth hormone. About 90% of the time this is caused by a noncancerous pituitary tumor. Other tumors may also produce human growth hormone, or growth hormone releasing factor which results in the same symptoms. If these tumors manifest themselves during puberty, before the bone growth plates have closed, it will result in "gigantism." When the growth plates have closed, bone continues to form and continues to be added to the skelton. It is my speculation, that this might've been the cause of the skeletons recognized today as "Neanderthal." Most of the pituitary tumors are not hereditary, but some tumors are.

Early in the 20th century it is well-documented that "Andre the giant," (Andre Rousimoff) was 6'3" by age 12, and reached a height of 8 feet, 4 inches in adulthood. During modern times, I believe the tallest has been 8'11". Generally, people with untreated acromegaly in this era, die at a relatively young age due to multiple complications.

Personally, I tend to believe that the interpretation of "the sons of God," mentioned in the sixth chapter of Genesis, does refer to some of the "fallen Angels." But it is interesting, that the first action the LORD took when he noticed what was occurring on the face of the earth, was to shorten the length of days of man to 120 years. This would of course limit the ultimate height of someone overproducing human growth hormone, who also have bony growth plates that have not closed. The second step was to wipe mankind off the face of the earth.

Gen 6:1     ¶     And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
Gen 6:2           That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Gen 6:3           And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Gen 6:4           There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Gen 6:7           And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Gen 6:8           But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Shalom,
John