The Sons of God in Genesis 6: A Biblical Case for the Angelic View

The interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4 is one of the most debated topics in biblical theology. Specifically, the identity of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” has divided scholars, pastors, and theologians for centuries. One of the most ancient interpretations of this passage, and one supported by scripture in both the Old and New Testaments, holds that the “sons of God” refer to fallen angels who took human wives. In this post, we will explore this interpretation, the supporting biblical evidence from both the Old and New Testaments (particularly from Peter and Jude), and why this interpretation aligns with a literal, historical reading of the Bible.

The Passage: Genesis 6:1-4

The text in question reads:

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 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. 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.” (Genesis 6:1-4)

This passage introduces us to a mysterious group identified as the “sons of God,” who are said to have taken wives from the “daughters of men,” leading to the birth of the Nephilim, a race of giants or mighty men. The passage immediately raises a series of questions. Who are the sons of God? Why did their union with human women produce such extraordinary offspring? And why did this event contribute to God’s decision to flood the earth in judgment (Genesis 6:5-7)?

Who are the Sons of God?

Historically, there have been three main interpretations of the identity of the “sons of God”:

1. The Sethite View: This view holds that the “sons of God” were the descendants of Seth, the godly line, and the “daughters of men” were the descendants of Cain, the ungodly line. According to this interpretation, the two groups intermarried, and this blending of righteous and unrighteous families led to increased wickedness on the earth.
2. The Royalty View: Some have suggested that the “sons of God” were human rulers or kings who were taking women into their harems, often forcibly, and this act of violence and immorality led to the corruption of the earth.
3. The Angelic View: This view, which we will explore in detail, holds that the “sons of God” were fallen angels who left their proper domain and took human wives, leading to the birth of the Nephilim.

Of these three interpretations, the angelic view is the oldest, with strong support from early Jewish literature, early Christian writings, and, most importantly, from scripture itself.

The Angelic View in the Old Testament

The phrase “sons of God” (Hebrew: bene Elohim) appears several times in the Old Testament, and in each case, it refers to angelic beings:

1. Job 1:6: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”
2. Job 2:1: “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.”
3. Job 38:4-7: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

In these passages, the “sons of God” are clearly angelic beings who stand before God. There is no indication that the term refers to humans in any of these contexts. This consistent use of the phrase in the Old Testament strongly suggests that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-4 are also angelic beings.

The Witness of the New Testament: Peter and Jude

The New Testament provides further clarity on this issue, particularly in the writings of Peter and Jude, both of whom reference the sin of the fallen angels in the context of judgment.

2 Peter 2:4-5

Peter writes:

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly…” (2 Peter 2:4-5)

Here, Peter directly links the sin of certain angels with the judgment of the flood. These angels sinned in a grievous way, leading to their being cast into hell (Greek: Tartarus) and bound in chains until the final judgment. The context of this passage strongly suggests that Peter is referring to the same event described in Genesis 6: the sin of the “sons of God” who took human wives, leading to the corruption of the world and the necessity of the flood.

Jude 6-7

Jude provides a similar account:

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 6-7)

Jude describes angels who “left their proper dwelling” and engaged in gross immorality, similar to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. The comparison with Sodom and Gomorrah, cities known for their sexual immorality, strongly indicates that the sin of these angels involved unnatural sexual relations—likely the union of fallen angels with human women described in Genesis 6.

The Nephilim: A Result of the Angelic Union

One of the most significant pieces of evidence supporting the angelic view is the birth of the Nephilim. Genesis 6:4 states:

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”

The term “Nephilim” is often translated as “giants” and is associated with great strength and stature. These offspring were not ordinary humans but were the product of a union between the “sons of God” (fallen angels) and human women. The presence of these Nephilim was part of the reason for God’s judgment in sending the flood, as their existence contributed to the corruption and violence that filled the earth (Genesis 6:11-13).

The connection between the Nephilim and the fallen angels is further supported by other ancient Jewish texts, such as the Book of Enoch, which elaborates on this interpretation. While the Book of Enoch is not part of the canonical Bible, it reflects early Jewish thought and was widely read and respected in the centuries leading up to the New Testament. Both Peter and Jude seem to be aware of this tradition, as their descriptions of the fallen angels closely align with the narrative found in Enoch.

Objections to the Angelic View

One of the primary objections to the angelic view is based on Matthew 22:30, where Jesus states that angels “neither marry nor are given in marriage.” However, this objection misunderstands the nature of the passage. Jesus is speaking about the angels in heaven, not fallen angels. The angels who participated in the events of Genesis 6 were those who had rebelled against God and left their proper domain (as described by Jude). These fallen angels were no longer bound by the same restrictions as the faithful angels in heaven.

Another objection is the supernatural nature of the interpretation. Some argue that it is more “reasonable” to interpret the “sons of God” as human beings. However, the Bible frequently records supernatural events, and the angelic view is consistent with the literal and historical reading of the text. Furthermore, the existence of the Nephilim, a race of giants, suggests that something extraordinary occurred in Genesis 6, something beyond ordinary human intermarriage.

Conclusion

The angelic view of Genesis 6:1-4, supported by both Old and New Testament scriptures, provides the most consistent and literal interpretation of the text. The “sons of God” are best understood as fallen angels who took human wives, leading to the birth of the Nephilim and contributing to the wickedness that ultimately led to the flood. The writings of Peter and Jude further affirm this interpretation, linking the sin of these angels with the judgment of the flood and the binding of these angels in chains until the final judgment.

While this view may seem extraordinary, it is in line with the supernatural worldview presented throughout scripture. The Bible is filled with accounts of angelic beings interacting with humans, both for good and for evil. The events of Genesis 6 are a sobering reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the consequences of sin, both human and angelic.

Believing in the literal and historical truth of Genesis 6 calls us to take seriously the warnings of scripture about the corrupting power of sin and the necessity of God’s judgment. The story of the sons of God and the daughters of men is not merely a myth or allegory but a historical event that demonstrates the far-reaching consequences of rebellion against God.