Who were the sons of God in Genesis 6?
Introduction. Regarding the sons of God & the daughters of men in Genesis 6:1-4, some hold the view that the "sons of God" of Genesis 6 is a reference to angels. According to this view, these angels ("sons of God") married female humans ("daughters of men") and produced a super race. Josephus, the famous Jewish historian, popularized this position. Of course, there are serious problems plaguing this view. One problem is, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven" (Matt. 22:30). Since angels are genderless, the "sons of God" could not have been angels (although some scholars link Genesis 6 with Jude 6-8).
A godly race of people. A more plausible & scripturally consistent explanation is that "sons of God" refers to a godly race of people who intermarried with a race not so godly. Many believe the "sons of God" are from the descendants of Seth (Gen. 4: 25-26 & Ch. 5). In contrast, the "daughters of men" would be the pagan descendants of Cain (Gen. 4:16-24).
Different uses of "son". As this passage illustrates, "son" of God is used in several different senses throughout the scriptures. Of course, we normally think of Jesus Christ, THE Son of God. But in a spiritual sense the saved are also sons of God (Hosea 1:10; Rom. 8:14-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Rev. 21:7). Job 1:6 and 38:7 also uses this term to refer to angels. For more on this topic, see the citation below from Easton's Bible Dictionary.
A godly race of people. A more plausible & scripturally consistent explanation is that "sons of God" refers to a godly race of people who intermarried with a race not so godly. Many believe the "sons of God" are from the descendants of Seth (Gen. 4: 25-26 & Ch. 5). In contrast, the "daughters of men" would be the pagan descendants of Cain (Gen. 4:16-24).
Different uses of "son". As this passage illustrates, "son" of God is used in several different senses throughout the scriptures. Of course, we normally think of Jesus Christ, THE Son of God. But in a spiritual sense the saved are also sons of God (Hosea 1:10; Rom. 8:14-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Rev. 21:7). Job 1:6 and 38:7 also uses this term to refer to angels. For more on this topic, see the citation below from Easton's Bible Dictionary.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary for "Son of God"
The plural, "sons of God," is used (Genesis 6:2,4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God.
In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Romans 8:14,19; 2Co 6:18; Galatians 4:5,6; Phil 2:15; 1 John 3:1,2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his miraculous birth, nor of his incarnation, his resurrection, and exaltation to the Father's right hand. This is a title of nature and not of office. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert his true and proper divinity. The second Person of the Trinity, because of his eternal relation to the first Person, is the Son of God. He is the Son of God as to his divine nature, while as to his human nature he is the Son of David (Romans 1:3,4. Compare Galatians 4:4; John 1:1-14; 5:18-25; 10:30-38, which prove that Christ was the Son of God before his incarnation, and that his claim to this title is a claim of equality with God).
When used with reference to creatures, whether men or angels, this word is always in the plural. In the singular it is always used of the second Person of the Trinity, with the single exception of Luke 3:38, where it is used of Adam.
The plural, "sons of God," is used (Genesis 6:2,4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God.
In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Romans 8:14,19; 2Co 6:18; Galatians 4:5,6; Phil 2:15; 1 John 3:1,2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his miraculous birth, nor of his incarnation, his resurrection, and exaltation to the Father's right hand. This is a title of nature and not of office. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert his true and proper divinity. The second Person of the Trinity, because of his eternal relation to the first Person, is the Son of God. He is the Son of God as to his divine nature, while as to his human nature he is the Son of David (Romans 1:3,4. Compare Galatians 4:4; John 1:1-14; 5:18-25; 10:30-38, which prove that Christ was the Son of God before his incarnation, and that his claim to this title is a claim of equality with God).
When used with reference to creatures, whether men or angels, this word is always in the plural. In the singular it is always used of the second Person of the Trinity, with the single exception of Luke 3:38, where it is used of Adam.