Genesis 6:1-8 is one of the most debated passages in the Old Testament. It introduces the enigmatic “sons of God,” the mysterious Nephilim, and God’s decision to judge humanity with the flood. Scholars and theologians have offered various interpretations of these verses. In this post, we’ll explore the leading views and what they reveal about this fascinating passage.
The Text of Genesis 6:1-8
“When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.’ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.”
Interpretation #1: The Angelic View
The earliest and most traditional interpretation is that the “sons of God” refer to fallen angels who took human wives, producing the Nephilim as hybrid offspring. This view is supported by ancient Jewish writings, such as the **Book of 1 Enoch**, and by New Testament references (Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4-5), which speak of angels who sinned.
Strengths of This View:
- The term “sons of God” (*bene elohim*) in the Old Testament (Job 1:6, 2:1) typically refers to divine or angelic beings.
- The ancient Jewish and early Christian tradition overwhelmingly favored this view.
- It explains why God’s judgment in the form of the flood was so severe.
Challenges of This View:
- Angels, as spiritual beings, do not typically reproduce (Matthew 22:30).
- The idea of angelic-human offspring is speculative and not explicitly confirmed in the Bible.
Interpretation #2: The Sethite View
This view argues that the “sons of God” were the descendants of Seth, the righteous lineage, and the “daughters of men” were the descendants of Cain, who had turned away from God. The intermarriage between these groups led to moral corruption and widespread wickedness, provoking divine judgment.
Strengths of This View:
- It maintains a human focus without requiring supernatural beings.
- The contrast between the godly and ungodly lines is a common biblical theme.
- It avoids the problem of angels physically mating with humans.
Challenges of This View:
- The term “sons of God” is rarely used in the Old Testament to describe humans.
- It does not fully explain why these unions resulted in giants (Nephilim) or why God’s judgment was so extreme.
Interpretation #3: The Royalty/Tyrant View
Another interpretation suggests that the “sons of God” were powerful rulers or kings who claimed divine status and took multiple wives, abusing their power. This view aligns with ancient Near Eastern culture, where kings were often seen as semi-divine figures.
Strengths of This View:
- It fits historical and cultural contexts where kings and rulers called themselves “sons of God.”
- It explains the oppressive conditions that led to divine judgment.
- It avoids supernatural elements, making it more palatable to modern readers.
Challenges of This View:
- It does not fully explain who the Nephilim were or why they were described as “mighty men of renown.”
- The term “sons of God” is not commonly used for human rulers in the Old Testament.
Who Were the Nephilim?
The Nephilim are described as being on the earth both “in those days and afterward.” Some take this to mean they were the offspring of the unions mentioned in Genesis 6, while others argue that they were merely a race of mighty warriors.
- The term “Nephilim” likely comes from a root meaning “to fall” (suggesting they were fallen ones or mighty ones who caused others to fall in battle).
- Later biblical references (Numbers 13:33) mention the Nephilim in connection with the Canaanite giants, though this may have been an exaggeration by the fearful Israelite spies.
Conclusion: Why Does It Matter?
Regardless of which interpretation is correct, Genesis 6:1-8 teaches key spiritual truths:
- God sees and judges human wickedness.
- Corruption and rebellion lead to destruction.
- God’s judgment (the flood) was not arbitrary but a response to deep-seated sin.
Whether the passage describes fallen angels, intermarrying human lineages, or tyrannical rulers, it underscores the growing sinfulness of humanity and sets the stage for the flood. It also reminds us that God’s justice is always balanced by His grace, as seen in His choice of Noah to carry forward His redemptive plan.
