Unveiling The Mystery: Who Are The Sons Of God In Genesis 6? Series

Unveiling the Mystery: Who Are the Sons of God in Genesis 6?

Introduction

Today, we delve into one of the most intriguing passages in the Bible: Genesis 6:1-4. This scripture introduces the enigmatic "sons of God" and their union with the "daughters of men," leading to the birth of the Nephilim.

Let's read the passage together:

Genesis 6:1-4 (NLT): "Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.' In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilim lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times."

This passage has sparked various interpretations throughout history. Today, we'll explore three primary views regarding the identity of the "sons of God":

The Fallen Angels View

The Sethite View

The Royalty or Nobility View

1. The Fallen Angels View

This perspective suggests that the "sons of God" were fallen angels who took human wives, resulting in the Nephilim.

Supporters of this view point to other Old Testament passages where "sons of God" refers to angelic beings, such as: Job 1:6 (NLT): "One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them."

The term "sons of God" here is translated from the Hebrew phrase "?????? ??????????" (bene ha'elohim), which is often associated with divine beings or angels. Additionally, Jude 1:6 references angels who did not stay within their proper domain:

Jude 1:6 (NLT): "And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment."

This interpretation underscores the gravity of transgressing God's established boundaries. It serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's design and the consequences of stepping outside His will.

Dr. Michael Heiser notes, "The 'sons of God' in Genesis 6 are best understood as divine beings who transgressed their heavenly estate." (Source: THE GOSPEL COALITION)

2. The Sethite View

The Sethite view posits that the "sons of God" were descendants of Seth, Adam's son, who intermarried with the "daughters of men," identified as descendants of Cain. This union led to moral corruption and widespread wickedness. Advocates of this view highlight the contrast between the godly lineage of Seth and the ungodly lineage of Cain.

Genesis 4:26 (NLT): "When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name."

This verse indicates the beginning of a godly line through Seth. However, over time, the intermingling with Cain's descendants may have led to a dilution of their devotion to God.

This interpretation warns against the dangers of compromising one's faith through ungodly alliances. It emphasizes the need for believers to remain steadfast and discerning in their relationships.

Dr. John MacArthur states, "The 'sons of God' in Genesis 6 are best understood as the godly line of Seth intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain, leading to widespread apostasy." (Source: GOTQUESTIONS)

3. The Royalty or Nobility View

This perspective suggests that the "sons of God" were powerful human rulers or kings who, driven by lust and pride, took any women they desired, leading to oppression and moral decay. In ancient cultures, kings were often considered divine or semi-divine, which could explain the term "sons of God."

Judges 21:25 (NLT): "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."

While this verse pertains to a later period, it illustrates the chaos and moral decline that can result from leadership failing to uphold God's standards.

This view serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of absolute power and the responsibility of leaders to govern righteously under God's authority.

Dr. Bruce Waltke comments, "The 'sons of God' in Genesis 6 likely refers to tyrant kings who claimed divine right to take any women they chose, leading to societal corruption." (Source: EQUIP)

Conclusion

Each of these interpretations offers valuable insights into the early chapters of Genesis and the nature of human sinfulness. While the exact identity of the "sons of God" in Genesis 6 remains a topic of debate, the passage clearly illustrates the escalating wickedness that led to God's judgment through the Flood.

Call to Action:

Reflect on the lessons from this passage. Are there areas in your life where you're compromising God's standards? Are you influenced by ungodly alliances or misusing authority entrusted to you? Seek God's guidance and strength to live a life that honors Him, resisting the patterns of corruption evident in Genesis 6.