Who were the sons of God?

[angels4u]

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

[EricH]

Here is my take on the Nephalim and sons of God:

The Nephilim (literally from the Hebrew verb meaning "to fall") were a group of men considered to be giants because of their physical prowess. The Nephilim were on the earth before and after the time that the "sons of God" interbred with the daughters of men in Genesis 6:2

The sense of Genesis 6 is a description of the general evil of the day. Here is my take on the meaning:

1. The "sons of God" was probably a reference to the Godly line coming from Seth. They did evil in God's sight by interbreeding with women outside the Godly line.

2. The Nephilim were a group of men that due to their physical size were able to "fall" upon others using violence.

3. The irony is that both the evil Nephilim and the "sons of God" were intermarrying and interbreeding with the same women. The offspring of the line of Seth and the duaghters of men produced children who were well thought of by the world (6:4), but not by God (6:5)

4. Genesis 6:5 says that God looked upon these events and others and saw that mankind was basically heading headlong onto evil.

It should be noted some feel that the term "Sons of God" refers to demonic beings that interbred with humans. They conclude this because the term "sons of God" is frequently used for angelic beings.

I have concluded that the term refers to the offspring of Seth, because of the followng:

1. Genesis 6 follows immediately on the heels of a contrast the ungodly line of Cain (Genesis 4) and the Godly line of Seth (Genesis 5) Genesis then begins with the idea that women were being born outside of the Godly line of Seth, and the offspring of Seth began to desire them.

2. In no place in scripture are angelic beings described has having the ability to reproduce. In fact Jesus indicated that angelic beings are in fact asexual in nature (Mark 12:25)

3. In Genesis 6:9-13 a new "Godly line" is established that begins with Noah. His line is now pure and undefiled.

Summary

1. The Nephilim were a race of physically superior people that used their advantage to "fall" upon people.

2. The Godly line of Seth began intermarrying with women outside the Godly line.

3. The evil nephilim also began intermarrying with the same women.

4. This dissolution of the Godly line was evil in God's sight (this is a theme that will follow Israel throughout her existance), but produced offspring that were well thought of by the current populace.

5. Because of this, God determined to judge the world by wiping out humanity except for those who belonged to the new Godly line beginning with Noah

[ayin jade]

It makes sense. Great post EricH. I enjoy your scriptural insights.

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

Amen!I guess I should finish reading the posts before I reply on them.I was going to post Mark 12

[angels4u]

Thanks EricH,

Like the days it was then it will be again, it was then just before the flood came because of all their wevil deeds it is now problaly close before judgement.

Will people ever learn?

Angels

[Avodah]

Thank you for the question Angels.

Thank you for the lesson EricH!