Who Were the Nephilim? Genesis 6 and Numbers 13—A Fresh Look

[Deleted member 55252]

Who Were the Nephilim?

Genesis 6 and Numbers 13—A Fresh Look

Bodie Hodge, Answers in Genesis

Keywords Nephilim, sons of God, daughters of men, children, fallen angels, Seth, Sethite view, fallen men, to fallGenesis 6:1–6Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, thatthe sons of God (bene Elohim) saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves,whomever they chose.Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is fl esh; nevertheless his daysshall be one hundred and twenty years.”The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God (bene Elohim) camein to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men ofrenown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.1Numbers 13:30–33Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it,for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up againstthe people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land whichthey had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours itsinhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (thesons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were intheir sight.”Genesis 6 and Numbers 13 (pre-Flood and post-Flood) list the term “Nephilim” that has been the center ofdiscussion for many years. At this point, the identity of the Nephilim and the sons of God is still being debatedin Christian circles.2 There is a popular unbiblical view that the Nephilim are space aliens. Of course, mostcreationists rightly reject this particular view for multiple reasons, but that is not for the discussion in thischapter.Of the views with some biblical support, some believe that fallen angels bred with women and resulted ingiants called Nephilim. Some believe the sons of God were the result of fallen angels who overtook ungodly mento breed with women.Some believe they were the Sethites (descendants of Adam’s son Seth). There are some minor views as well,such as kings, rulers, or heads of leading family groups as being godly from Psalm 82. This view has manysimilarities to the Sethite view but eliminates many of Seth’s descendants and merely keeps with the leaders/kings (as well as some other leaders of other tribes) as godly. So, I will now leave this minor view out and discussthe Sethite view, which should encompass it for the most part. Another variation of the Sethite view is thatthese godly men had relations with ungodly women, and the offspring followed after other “gods” as opposed toGod—and “fell away” in tremendous ways. This is called the “fallen men” view. There are other minor views aswell as other minor non-biblical views but these are the primary ones I will discuss.There is a great deal of confusion over the word Nephilim. No one today really knows what it means. It isrelated to the verb series “to fall” (naphal) in Hebrew, which is why some direct this to fallen angels or moreappropriately, the offspring thereof. However, this also gives strong support to the view that men had fallenaway from God. It was these two concepts that helped give rise to the various views mentioned above.Many have associated the Nephilim with giants. Giant traits may not have been limited to Nephilim alone:Goliath, a giant, was not considered Nephilim. As mentioned, the term Nephilim is unclear in defi nition. Itis related to the verb “to fall” and the King James Version translates it as giants from the infl uence of theLatin Vulgate’s (early Latin translation by Jerome) term gigantes as well as the context from Numbers 13. Thecontext of Genesis 6 does not reveal they were giants. There may have been some infl uence on the Latin Vulgateby the Septuagint’s (Greek translation of the Old Testament about 200–300 years before Christ) use of Greekword gigentes.54 B. HodgeHere is a table with a brief summary of the four popular views discussed:Many respected Christians have commented on this topic over the years, and their work is to be highlyregarded. This discussion is not to impugn their work in any way, but to build on it in iron-sharpening-ironfashion. In fact, in writing this, their research has provided great insights into what I now personally believeabout the sons of God and the Nephilim, and I commend them for their work.As a ministry, Answers in Genesis does not officially take a specific stand regarding these four major views.It is not crucial to biblical authority, since each side in this debate, for the most part, is using the Bible asauthoritative to make their case.The Fallen Angels View• Sons of God: Fallen angels• Nephilim: Mix of human and angelThis is one of the most popular views. It stems from angels being called “sons of God” or interpreted as suchin Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7. In fact, if the Nephilim were indeed half human/half fallen angel then it would give greatunderstanding to the many ancient religious views after Babel and demi-gods. As pointed out, Nephilim isrelated to the verb series “to fall” in Hebrew, giving support to the view that this is related to fallen angels. So,it does hold some status among biblical scholars.Defenders of this view also find support in two key New Testament passages. In 2 Peter 2:1–11, the Apostlewrote:But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who willsecretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destructionupon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and theirdestruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell andcommitted them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preservedNoah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having madethem an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressedby the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while livingamong them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows howto rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, theydo not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do notbring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.Before commenting on this passage, we need to look at Jude 4–8.For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation,ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, JesusChrist. Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a peopleout of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep theirown domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgmentof the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way asthese indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoingthe punishment of eternal fire. Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and rejectauthority, and revile angelic majesties.These verses do not specifically mention the Nephilim, nor do they clearly state that fallen angels had sexualrelationships with women. However, they do place “the angels who sinned” (2 Peter 2:4), “who did not keep theirproper domain, but left their own abode” (Jude 6), in the same context as Noah. Both passages seem to comparethe sin of these angels with the sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah who had “in a similar manner to these,

 

[Deleted member 55252]

Who Were the Nephilim?

Genesis 6 and Numbers 13—A Fresh Look

Bodie Hodge, Answers in Genesis

Keywords Nephilim, sons of God, daughters of men, children, fallen angels, Seth, Sethite view, fallen men, to fallGenesis 6:1–6Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, thatthe sons of God (bene Elohim) saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves,whomever they chose.Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is fl esh; nevertheless his daysshall be one hundred and twenty years.”The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God (bene Elohim) camein to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men ofrenown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.1Numbers 13:30–33Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it,for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up againstthe people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land whichthey had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours itsinhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (thesons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were intheir sight.”Genesis 6 and Numbers 13 (pre-Flood and post-Flood) list the term “Nephilim” that has been the center ofdiscussion for many years. At this point, the identity of the Nephilim and the sons of God is still being debatedin Christian circles.2 There is a popular unbiblical view that the Nephilim are space aliens. Of course, mostcreationists rightly reject this particular view for multiple reasons, but that is not for the discussion in thischapter.Of the views with some biblical support, some believe that fallen angels bred with women and resulted ingiants called Nephilim. Some believe the sons of God were the result of fallen angels who overtook ungodly mento breed with women.Some believe they were the Sethites (descendants of Adam’s son Seth). There are some minor views as well,such as kings, rulers, or heads of leading family groups as being godly from Psalm 82. This view has manysimilarities to the Sethite view but eliminates many of Seth’s descendants and merely keeps with the leaders/kings (as well as some other leaders of other tribes) as godly. So, I will now leave this minor view out and discussthe Sethite view, which should encompass it for the most part. Another variation of the Sethite view is thatthese godly men had relations with ungodly women, and the offspring followed after other “gods” as opposed toGod—and “fell away” in tremendous ways. This is called the “fallen men” view. There are other minor views aswell as other minor non-biblical views but these are the primary ones I will discuss.There is a great deal of confusion over the word Nephilim. No one today really knows what it means. It isrelated to the verb series “to fall” (naphal) in Hebrew, which is why some direct this to fallen angels or moreappropriately, the offspring thereof. However, this also gives strong support to the view that men had fallenaway from God. It was these two concepts that helped give rise to the various views mentioned above.Many have associated the Nephilim with giants. Giant traits may not have been limited to Nephilim alone:Goliath, a giant, was not considered Nephilim. As mentioned, the term Nephilim is unclear in defi nition. Itis related to the verb “to fall” and the King James Version translates it as giants from the infl uence of theLatin Vulgate’s (early Latin translation by Jerome) term gigantes as well as the context from Numbers 13. Thecontext of Genesis 6 does not reveal they were giants. There may have been some infl uence on the Latin Vulgateby the Septuagint’s (Greek translation of the Old Testament about 200–300 years before Christ) use of Greekword gigentes.54 B. HodgeHere is a table with a brief summary of the four popular views discussed:Many respected Christians have commented on this topic over the years, and their work is to be highlyregarded. This discussion is not to impugn their work in any way, but to build on it in iron-sharpening-ironfashion. In fact, in writing this, their research has provided great insights into what I now personally believeabout the sons of God and the Nephilim, and I commend them for their work.As a ministry, Answers in Genesis does not officially take a specific stand regarding these four major views.It is not crucial to biblical authority, since each side in this debate, for the most part, is using the Bible asauthoritative to make their case.The Fallen Angels View• Sons of God: Fallen angels• Nephilim: Mix of human and angelThis is one of the most popular views. It stems from angels being called “sons of God” or interpreted as suchin Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7. In fact, if the Nephilim were indeed half human/half fallen angel then it would give greatunderstanding to the many ancient religious views after Babel and demi-gods. As pointed out, Nephilim isrelated to the verb series “to fall” in Hebrew, giving support to the view that this is related to fallen angels. So,it does hold some status among biblical scholars.Defenders of this view also find support in two key New Testament passages. In 2 Peter 2:1–11, the Apostlewrote:But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who willsecretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destructionupon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and theirdestruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell andcommitted them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preservedNoah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having madethem an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressedby the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while livingamong them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows howto rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, theydo not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do notbring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.Before commenting on this passage, we need to look at Jude 4–8.For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation,ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, JesusChrist. Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a peopleout of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep theirown domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgmentof the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way asthese indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoingthe punishment of eternal fire. Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and rejectauthority, and revile angelic majesties.These verses do not specifically mention the Nephilim, nor do they clearly state that fallen angels had sexualrelationships with women. However, they do place “the angels who sinned” (2 Peter 2:4), “who did not keep theirproper domain, but left their own abode” (Jude 6), in the same context as Noah. Both passages seem to comparethe sin of these angels with the sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah who had “in a similar manner to these,

Who were the Nephilim? 55having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh” (Jude 7). Genesis 19:5 revealsthat the men of Sodom lusted after the two angels who had gone into Lot’s house. It is important to understandthat while these verses seem to lend strong support to the fallen angel view, they do not make a watertightargument for it.For example, expositor Dr John Gill clarifies with regards to Jude 6:3Ver. 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, &c.] Or “principality”; that holy, honourable, andhappy condition, in which they were created; for they were created in perfect holiness and righteousness, stoodin the relation of sons to God, and were, for the lustre of their nature, comparable to the morning stars; theywere among the thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers; were a superior rank of creatures to men, andwho beheld the face, and enjoyed the presence of God; but this estate they kept not, for being mutable creatures,one of them first sinning, the rest were drawn into it by him, and so were not what they were before, nor in thesame estate, or place.but left their own habitation; by attempting to rise higher; or by quitting their station and posts of honour,being unwilling to be subject to God, and especially to the Son of God, who was to assume human nature, andin it be above them, which they could not bear; and by gathering together in a body, in another place, with Satanat the head of them; though this may be considered as a part of their punishment, and they may be said to dowhat they were forced to; for they were drove out of their native habitation, heaven; they were turned out of it,and cast down to hell; see 2 Peter 2:4. And this their habitation, which they left, or fell from, or they were castout of, is by the Jews frequently called the place of their holiness, or their holy place.He hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness; by these “everlasting chains” may be meantthe power and providence of God over them, which always abide upon them; or their sins, and the guilt of themupon their consciences, under which they are continually held; or the decrees and purposes of God concerningtheir final punishment and destruction, which are immutable and irreversible, and from which there is nofreeing themselves, the phrase, under darkness, may refer to the chains, as in 2 Peter 2:4; where they are called“chains of darkness”; either because the power, providence, and purposes of God are invisible; so the Syriacversion reads, “in unknown chains”; or because horror and black despair are the effects of sin, and its guilt,with which their consciences are continually filled: or it may denote the place and state where they are, eitherin the darkness of the air, or in the dark parts of the earth, or in hell, where is utter darkness, even blackness ofdarkness; or that they are under the power of sin, which is darkness, and without the light of God’s countenance,or any spiritual knowledge, or comfort: and they are “reserved” in these chains, and under this darkness; or“in prison,” as the Arabic version renders it; which denotes the custody of them, and their continuance in it, inwhich they are kept by Jesus Christ, who can bind and loose Satan at his pleasure; and it shows that they arenot as yet in full torment, but are like malefactors that are kept in prison, until the assize comes: so these arelaid in chains, and kept in custody.Gill continues in verse 7:in like manner giving themselves over to fornication; not as the angels, who are not capable of sinningin such a manner; though the Jews make this to be a sin of theirs, and so interpret Genesis 6:2,4, but ratherthe Israelites, among whom this sin prevailed, 1 Corinthians 10:8; though it seems best of all to refer it to thefalse teachers that turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, and were very criminal this way; and then thesense is, that in like manner as they, the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, gave themselves over to the sinof fornication; wherefore these men might expect the same judgments that fell upon them, since their sin wasalike; which sin is a work of the flesh, contrary to the law of God, is against the body, and attended with manyevils; exposes to judgment here and hereafter, and unfits for the communion of the saints, and for the kingdomof heaven.and going after strange flesh; or “other flesh”; meaning not other women besides their own wives, butmen; and designs that detestable and unnatural sin, which, from these people, is called sodomy to this day; andwhich is an exceeding great sin, contrary to the light of nature and law of God, dishonourable to human nature,and scandalous to a nation and people, and commonly prevails where idolatry and infidelity do, as among thePapists and Mahometans; and arose from idleness and fulness of bread in Sodom, and was committed in thesight of God, with great impudence: their punishment follows.The context is discussing ungodly people who have crept into the church and a warning about their future.Such sin and unrighteousness is nothing new:1. When the Israelites fell away from Him in the desert after Moses brought them out of Egypt, God destroyed them.2. When the angels rebelled, God bound them to eternal darkness.3. In a similar fashion to how the Israelites were adulterous to God and sought after other gods; Sodom andGomorrah were seeking after inappropriate flesh.56 B. HodgeGod will destroy those who are ungodly and creep into the Church, just as He did the other ungodly peopleand angels mentioned. Their condemnation will be the same. This type of logical thinking would also apply to2 Peter 2. Gill discusses this in his commentary in a similar fashion.Of course, being one of the more popular views, it also comes with more criticisms. One of the prime argumentsagainst this view is that angels are spiritual and don’t have DNA to combine with a woman’s DNA.Though this can be argued because angels did take on the appearance of men such as Gabriel (Daniel9:21; Luke 1:11–20) and the two angels sent to destroy Sodom (Genesis 19:1–13), to assume these angels hadreproductive capabilities is another issue. Also, these angels that appeared as men were not the fallen ones. Wehave no biblical support of fallen angels ever appearing as men or of having physical DNA.The spiritual can produce physical offspring, as witnessed by the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary. However,the Holy Spirit is the Creator and has that power (Psalm 104:30). Do fallen angels? The Bible simply doesn’treveal this.While many commentaries, as well as the Alexandrinus manuscript of the Septuagint, refer to the sons ofGod in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 as angels, this may not be the best argument for Genesis 6 for two reasons, and somecommentaries leave open the possibility that these could be referring to godly men and/or magistrates on earth,who were human.4The author of Job was aware of the term used for angel (Kalm mal’ak), as Eliphaz the Temanite used it in Job4:18. So, if the sons of God were referring to angels, then why not say it? It may be too much to say for sure thatthese two verses early in Job are referring to angels, but even so, it wouldn’t be referring to fallen ones. Thereare no other instances in Scripture that refer to fallen angels or demons as sons of God to verify this in Job.Sometimes we fall into the mistake of assuming one name or phrase in a portion of Scripture is the samething/type as another portion of Scripture. Though this may be the case, one shouldn’t be dogmatic about it. Forexample, the Hebrew lbb (0894) for Babel or Babylon is referring to two distinct empires. If we find lbb referringto Nebuchadnezzar, we shouldn’t assume it is the Babel that followed soon after the Flood.Regardless though, Job 38:7 is an excellent example of angels being termed sons of God. However, thisis referring to angels during the Creation Week, before any of them fell (which would have to be after God’sdeclaration that everything was “very good” in Genesis 1:31). So this doesn’t give much support to fallen angelsbeing called sons of God.Another argument in opposition to this view is that godly men were sometimes called son(s) of God such asAdam in Luke 3.Luke 3:38the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.Other passages also confirm that Christians are called this:Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.Romans 8:14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.Romans 8:19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.Galatians 3:26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ JesusAlthough each of these is in Greek and the “sons of God” for Genesis 6 is in Hebrew, they are both renderedcorrectly as “sons of God.” Luke 6:35 renders the term “sons of the Most High.” Also, Psalms 82:6 has “sons ofthe most high” and renders correctly that godly humans can be called sons of God in another language. Hosea1:10 points out that people will also be called “sons of the living God” (note the added descriptor living) inHebrew:Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered;And in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons ofthe living God.”Again, this is not identical to the Hebrew in Genesis or Job but still renders that humans can be called sonsof God in another format. So, we have instances where humans are called:• Sons of God (five times in Greek)• Sons of the Most High (one time in Greek; one time in Hebrew)• Sons of the Living God (one time in Hebrew)Why is “sons of God” in Hebrew suddenly off-limits to refer to humans when God has already used similar

 

[Deleted member 55252]

Who were the Nephilim? 55having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh” (Jude 7). Genesis 19:5 revealsthat the men of Sodom lusted after the two angels who had gone into Lot’s house. It is important to understandthat while these verses seem to lend strong support to the fallen angel view, they do not make a watertightargument for it.For example, expositor Dr John Gill clarifies with regards to Jude 6:3Ver. 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, &c.] Or “principality”; that holy, honourable, andhappy condition, in which they were created; for they were created in perfect holiness and righteousness, stoodin the relation of sons to God, and were, for the lustre of their nature, comparable to the morning stars; theywere among the thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers; were a superior rank of creatures to men, andwho beheld the face, and enjoyed the presence of God; but this estate they kept not, for being mutable creatures,one of them first sinning, the rest were drawn into it by him, and so were not what they were before, nor in thesame estate, or place.but left their own habitation; by attempting to rise higher; or by quitting their station and posts of honour,being unwilling to be subject to God, and especially to the Son of God, who was to assume human nature, andin it be above them, which they could not bear; and by gathering together in a body, in another place, with Satanat the head of them; though this may be considered as a part of their punishment, and they may be said to dowhat they were forced to; for they were drove out of their native habitation, heaven; they were turned out of it,and cast down to hell; see 2 Peter 2:4. And this their habitation, which they left, or fell from, or they were castout of, is by the Jews frequently called the place of their holiness, or their holy place.He hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness; by these “everlasting chains” may be meantthe power and providence of God over them, which always abide upon them; or their sins, and the guilt of themupon their consciences, under which they are continually held; or the decrees and purposes of God concerningtheir final punishment and destruction, which are immutable and irreversible, and from which there is nofreeing themselves, the phrase, under darkness, may refer to the chains, as in 2 Peter 2:4; where they are called“chains of darkness”; either because the power, providence, and purposes of God are invisible; so the Syriacversion reads, “in unknown chains”; or because horror and black despair are the effects of sin, and its guilt,with which their consciences are continually filled: or it may denote the place and state where they are, eitherin the darkness of the air, or in the dark parts of the earth, or in hell, where is utter darkness, even blackness ofdarkness; or that they are under the power of sin, which is darkness, and without the light of God’s countenance,or any spiritual knowledge, or comfort: and they are “reserved” in these chains, and under this darkness; or“in prison,” as the Arabic version renders it; which denotes the custody of them, and their continuance in it, inwhich they are kept by Jesus Christ, who can bind and loose Satan at his pleasure; and it shows that they arenot as yet in full torment, but are like malefactors that are kept in prison, until the assize comes: so these arelaid in chains, and kept in custody.Gill continues in verse 7:in like manner giving themselves over to fornication; not as the angels, who are not capable of sinningin such a manner; though the Jews make this to be a sin of theirs, and so interpret Genesis 6:2,4, but ratherthe Israelites, among whom this sin prevailed, 1 Corinthians 10:8; though it seems best of all to refer it to thefalse teachers that turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, and were very criminal this way; and then thesense is, that in like manner as they, the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, gave themselves over to the sinof fornication; wherefore these men might expect the same judgments that fell upon them, since their sin wasalike; which sin is a work of the flesh, contrary to the law of God, is against the body, and attended with manyevils; exposes to judgment here and hereafter, and unfits for the communion of the saints, and for the kingdomof heaven.and going after strange flesh; or “other flesh”; meaning not other women besides their own wives, butmen; and designs that detestable and unnatural sin, which, from these people, is called sodomy to this day; andwhich is an exceeding great sin, contrary to the light of nature and law of God, dishonourable to human nature,and scandalous to a nation and people, and commonly prevails where idolatry and infidelity do, as among thePapists and Mahometans; and arose from idleness and fulness of bread in Sodom, and was committed in thesight of God, with great impudence: their punishment follows.The context is discussing ungodly people who have crept into the church and a warning about their future.Such sin and unrighteousness is nothing new:1. When the Israelites fell away from Him in the desert after Moses brought them out of Egypt, God destroyed them.2. When the angels rebelled, God bound them to eternal darkness.3. In a similar fashion to how the Israelites were adulterous to God and sought after other gods; Sodom andGomorrah were seeking after inappropriate flesh.56 B. HodgeGod will destroy those who are ungodly and creep into the Church, just as He did the other ungodly peopleand angels mentioned. Their condemnation will be the same. This type of logical thinking would also apply to2 Peter 2. Gill discusses this in his commentary in a similar fashion.Of course, being one of the more popular views, it also comes with more criticisms. One of the prime argumentsagainst this view is that angels are spiritual and don’t have DNA to combine with a woman’s DNA.Though this can be argued because angels did take on the appearance of men such as Gabriel (Daniel9:21; Luke 1:11–20) and the two angels sent to destroy Sodom (Genesis 19:1–13), to assume these angels hadreproductive capabilities is another issue. Also, these angels that appeared as men were not the fallen ones. Wehave no biblical support of fallen angels ever appearing as men or of having physical DNA.The spiritual can produce physical offspring, as witnessed by the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary. However,the Holy Spirit is the Creator and has that power (Psalm 104:30). Do fallen angels? The Bible simply doesn’treveal this.While many commentaries, as well as the Alexandrinus manuscript of the Septuagint, refer to the sons ofGod in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 as angels, this may not be the best argument for Genesis 6 for two reasons, and somecommentaries leave open the possibility that these could be referring to godly men and/or magistrates on earth,who were human.4The author of Job was aware of the term used for angel (Kalm mal’ak), as Eliphaz the Temanite used it in Job4:18. So, if the sons of God were referring to angels, then why not say it? It may be too much to say for sure thatthese two verses early in Job are referring to angels, but even so, it wouldn’t be referring to fallen ones. Thereare no other instances in Scripture that refer to fallen angels or demons as sons of God to verify this in Job.Sometimes we fall into the mistake of assuming one name or phrase in a portion of Scripture is the samething/type as another portion of Scripture. Though this may be the case, one shouldn’t be dogmatic about it. Forexample, the Hebrew lbb (0894) for Babel or Babylon is referring to two distinct empires. If we find lbb referringto Nebuchadnezzar, we shouldn’t assume it is the Babel that followed soon after the Flood.Regardless though, Job 38:7 is an excellent example of angels being termed sons of God. However, thisis referring to angels during the Creation Week, before any of them fell (which would have to be after God’sdeclaration that everything was “very good” in Genesis 1:31). So this doesn’t give much support to fallen angelsbeing called sons of God.Another argument in opposition to this view is that godly men were sometimes called son(s) of God such asAdam in Luke 3.Luke 3:38the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.Other passages also confirm that Christians are called this:Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.Romans 8:14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.Romans 8:19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.Galatians 3:26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ JesusAlthough each of these is in Greek and the “sons of God” for Genesis 6 is in Hebrew, they are both renderedcorrectly as “sons of God.” Luke 6:35 renders the term “sons of the Most High.” Also, Psalms 82:6 has “sons ofthe most high” and renders correctly that godly humans can be called sons of God in another language. Hosea1:10 points out that people will also be called “sons of the living God” (note the added descriptor living) inHebrew:Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered;And in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons ofthe living God.”Again, this is not identical to the Hebrew in Genesis or Job but still renders that humans can be called sonsof God in another format. So, we have instances where humans are called:• Sons of God (five times in Greek)• Sons of the Most High (one time in Greek; one time in Hebrew)• Sons of the Living God (one time in Hebrew)Why is “sons of God” in Hebrew suddenly off-limits to refer to humans when God has already used similar

formats for calling godly men by such a godly title? It seems unlikely that God would put fallen angels in aclass with un-fallen angels, Israelites (God’s chosen people), and Christians (the bride of Christ). I doubt thatGod would want confusion with fallen angels with his bride! Some dismiss this verse in Hosea out of hand,but it shouldn’t be neglected. Other verses point out that men can be children of God, such as Psalm 73:15 andDeuteronomy 32:5. Thus God-fearing men can also rightly be called sons of God.I’ve heard the response that the reason Adam and Christians were called son(s) of God was because theywere made directly by God in one fashion or another—Adam from the dust by God’s hand and Christians willbe made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Along with this then, angels, who were directly created by Godduring creation week, could also hold to this title.However, there are other direct creations by God, such as sea creatures, land animals, and so on. Are thesealso sons of God? Few would say they are. Also, godly men of the Old Testament would one day be new creationsin Christ and, by the foreknowledge of God, could easily have been called “sons of God.” So, this argument reallydoesn’t make a case exclusively for the angelic view, but could also be used for godly men as well.Also, in Hebrew, we find sons of Israel (bene Yisra’el) used of descendants of Israel who were not his directsons (Exodus 6:6, 6:11, and so on.) Therefore, there is no reason to assume that sons of God couldn’t be referringto men, since they are descendants of Adam, who was a son of God. To clarify, this is not to be confused with theonly begotten son of God, Jesus Christ, who was the unique and perfect Son of God.Another theological problem presents itself for the fallen angels view if we take a closer look at the Anakites(descendants of Anak), descendants of the Nephilim according to Numbers 13:33. The Anakites were notcompletely wiped out by Joshua. Joshua says:Joshua 11:22No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any surviveThe Bible never records their line ending. Thus, there is no reason to assume the descendants of Anak arenot still living today. In fact, they have probably interbred with many other people groups since then.This theological problem has been challenged, though, and rightly so because Numbers 13:33 is part of abad/evil report spread among the Israelites. But was the information false about the Anakites being Nephilim?Let’s take a look:Numbers 13:30–33Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it,for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up againstthe people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land whichthey had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours itsinhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (thesons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were intheir sight.”So, was the report of the Anakites being Nephilim accurate or inaccurate, as even falsehoods often containsome aspects of truth. For example, we know that Anakites were indeed in the land, as Joshua went to warwith them later. So, what aspects of this report were false and which were true? We get a clue when Caleb andJoshua answer the congregation who was grumbling about the bad report in Numbers 14:6–9.Numbers 14:6–9Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore theirclothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will giveit to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we willswallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”The following table breaks down the bad report and analyzes what was false and what was not challenged.Bad report indicates Was this challenged by Joshua and Caleb?The land devours its inhabitants. Challenged: The land was exceedingly good, flowing with milk and honey,according to Joshua and Caleb.All the men were of great size; the spies seemed verysmall in their sight (like grasshoppers).Challenged: Joshua and Caleb told them not be afraid of the people of the land.They didn’t comment on the size, but many may have been giants, since they dopoint out that people were afraid of them.Anakites were there. Not challengedNephilim were there. Not challengedAnakites were descendants of the Nephilim. Not challengedAnakites were only a part of the Nephilim. Not challenged58 B. HodgeSo, it may not be the best argument to say that the false report meant that the Anakites were not Nephilim,since this point (nor other aspects of the report mentioned above) was never addressed as being false. Thus, theargument stands that Nephilim were the descendants of Anak and were around post-Flood. This also revealsthat Nephilim can exist without being offspring of “sons of God,” as they are only listed as being descendantsof Anak.Interestingly, Moses, who penned Genesis, said that the Nephilim were on the earth pre-Flood and alsoafterwards:Genesis 6:4aThe Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterwards (emphasis added)Some translations say “and after that,” and one could argue that this was still referring to a pre-Flood time.However, it makes much more sense that this phrase refers to this post-Flood event, especially since Genesis 6was penned by Moses.Acts 17:26 indicates all nations are of “one blood” or “one man.” If some nations are a combination of angelicblood and Adamic blood, as the Anakites would have been in this view as well as the Nephilim pre-Flood, thenthere is a major problem—Acts 17:26 would be wrong. The Anakites were still living and breeding with manyother people groups during Paul’s time. Thus, it presents a problem to say angels bred with women. Anotherproblem presents itself from the rest of Genesis 6:4:Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to thedaughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men (vya ‘iysh)of renown.In Genesis 6:4, the phrase “men of renown” uses the Hebrew word iysh. This term is used consistently as“man” or descendants of Adam—even Adam used it of himself in Genesis 2:23, yet it is never used of fallenangel, demons, or of Satan. It was used for some unfallen angels when they took the form of a man, though. Ifthe Nephilim were crossbreeds between men and fallen angels, then why did the Bible use the term men (iysh)as opposed to something that would lead us to believe they were not fully men?If we follow the context of iysh into the following verses in Genesis 6, we find:• Verse 4: Nephilim are men of renown• Verse 5: wickedness of man great• Verse 6: God sorry He made man on earth• Verse 7: Blot out man from earth• Verse 8/9: Noah found favor with God and was a righteous manThe context reveals that Noah was compared with and amongst the men being discussed in Genesis 6,yet unlike them he was righteous (Genesis 6:9). There is no mention of Noah being fully human and othermen being half-breeds, but merely that he was righteous among them. Having Noah be righteous among hisgenerations is slight support for the view that sees the sons of God as human.One early argument against this angelic view was that angels didn’t marry in heaven according to Jesus(Matthew 22:30). This has been responded to many times and it is rightly pointed out that this is referringto angels in heaven, not fallen angels. So, the option was left open that fallen angels may very well do this.However, a new problem now arises. Moses points out that the sons of God took wives (ishshah wife/women)(Genesis 6:2). Never once have I found a verse in the Bible where wife, wives, husband, husbands, or marriagewas anything other than between a human male and female. If these were marriages between fallen angels andwomen, then it opens up the possibility of marriages that are not limited to man and woman, when the Bible isclear on this subject.An argument in response is that ishshah could merely be used for women, not wives, and doesn’t necessarilymean they were married, but rather taken for sexual purposes outside of marriage, possibly forcibly. In light ofsome of these criticisms, this popular view may not be the best one, though many great scholars hold to it and itshould be at least respected. I encourage deeper study in both the view and the responses as I am only touchingthe surface.Perhaps the most devastating argument against this view came from Jesus Himself, though. We have noinstance in Scripture where fallen angels ever materialized as previously stated. This is significant becauseChrist offered proof of His resurrection when the disciples questioned Him:Luke 24:37–43But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Whyare you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touchMe and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He

 

[BrutalMogger]

read every single micropixel

 

[Deleted member 55252]

formats for calling godly men by such a godly title? It seems unlikely that God would put fallen angels in aclass with un-fallen angels, Israelites (God’s chosen people), and Christians (the bride of Christ). I doubt thatGod would want confusion with fallen angels with his bride! Some dismiss this verse in Hosea out of hand,but it shouldn’t be neglected. Other verses point out that men can be children of God, such as Psalm 73:15 andDeuteronomy 32:5. Thus God-fearing men can also rightly be called sons of God.I’ve heard the response that the reason Adam and Christians were called son(s) of God was because theywere made directly by God in one fashion or another—Adam from the dust by God’s hand and Christians willbe made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Along with this then, angels, who were directly created by Godduring creation week, could also hold to this title.However, there are other direct creations by God, such as sea creatures, land animals, and so on. Are thesealso sons of God? Few would say they are. Also, godly men of the Old Testament would one day be new creationsin Christ and, by the foreknowledge of God, could easily have been called “sons of God.” So, this argument reallydoesn’t make a case exclusively for the angelic view, but could also be used for godly men as well.Also, in Hebrew, we find sons of Israel (bene Yisra’el) used of descendants of Israel who were not his directsons (Exodus 6:6, 6:11, and so on.) Therefore, there is no reason to assume that sons of God couldn’t be referringto men, since they are descendants of Adam, who was a son of God. To clarify, this is not to be confused with theonly begotten son of God, Jesus Christ, who was the unique and perfect Son of God.Another theological problem presents itself for the fallen angels view if we take a closer look at the Anakites(descendants of Anak), descendants of the Nephilim according to Numbers 13:33. The Anakites were notcompletely wiped out by Joshua. Joshua says:Joshua 11:22No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any surviveThe Bible never records their line ending. Thus, there is no reason to assume the descendants of Anak arenot still living today. In fact, they have probably interbred with many other people groups since then.This theological problem has been challenged, though, and rightly so because Numbers 13:33 is part of abad/evil report spread among the Israelites. But was the information false about the Anakites being Nephilim?Let’s take a look:Numbers 13:30–33Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it,for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up againstthe people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land whichthey had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours itsinhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (thesons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were intheir sight.”So, was the report of the Anakites being Nephilim accurate or inaccurate, as even falsehoods often containsome aspects of truth. For example, we know that Anakites were indeed in the land, as Joshua went to warwith them later. So, what aspects of this report were false and which were true? We get a clue when Caleb andJoshua answer the congregation who was grumbling about the bad report in Numbers 14:6–9.Numbers 14:6–9Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore theirclothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will giveit to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we willswallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”The following table breaks down the bad report and analyzes what was false and what was not challenged.Bad report indicates Was this challenged by Joshua and Caleb?The land devours its inhabitants. Challenged: The land was exceedingly good, flowing with milk and honey,according to Joshua and Caleb.All the men were of great size; the spies seemed verysmall in their sight (like grasshoppers).Challenged: Joshua and Caleb told them not be afraid of the people of the land.They didn’t comment on the size, but many may have been giants, since they dopoint out that people were afraid of them.Anakites were there. Not challengedNephilim were there. Not challengedAnakites were descendants of the Nephilim. Not challengedAnakites were only a part of the Nephilim. Not challenged58 B. HodgeSo, it may not be the best argument to say that the false report meant that the Anakites were not Nephilim,since this point (nor other aspects of the report mentioned above) was never addressed as being false. Thus, theargument stands that Nephilim were the descendants of Anak and were around post-Flood. This also revealsthat Nephilim can exist without being offspring of “sons of God,” as they are only listed as being descendantsof Anak.Interestingly, Moses, who penned Genesis, said that the Nephilim were on the earth pre-Flood and alsoafterwards:Genesis 6:4aThe Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterwards (emphasis added)Some translations say “and after that,” and one could argue that this was still referring to a pre-Flood time.However, it makes much more sense that this phrase refers to this post-Flood event, especially since Genesis 6was penned by Moses.Acts 17:26 indicates all nations are of “one blood” or “one man.” If some nations are a combination of angelicblood and Adamic blood, as the Anakites would have been in this view as well as the Nephilim pre-Flood, thenthere is a major problem—Acts 17:26 would be wrong. The Anakites were still living and breeding with manyother people groups during Paul’s time. Thus, it presents a problem to say angels bred with women. Anotherproblem presents itself from the rest of Genesis 6:4:Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to thedaughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men (vya ‘iysh)of renown.In Genesis 6:4, the phrase “men of renown” uses the Hebrew word iysh. This term is used consistently as“man” or descendants of Adam—even Adam used it of himself in Genesis 2:23, yet it is never used of fallenangel, demons, or of Satan. It was used for some unfallen angels when they took the form of a man, though. Ifthe Nephilim were crossbreeds between men and fallen angels, then why did the Bible use the term men (iysh)as opposed to something that would lead us to believe they were not fully men?If we follow the context of iysh into the following verses in Genesis 6, we find:• Verse 4: Nephilim are men of renown• Verse 5: wickedness of man great• Verse 6: God sorry He made man on earth• Verse 7: Blot out man from earth• Verse 8/9: Noah found favor with God and was a righteous manThe context reveals that Noah was compared with and amongst the men being discussed in Genesis 6,yet unlike them he was righteous (Genesis 6:9). There is no mention of Noah being fully human and othermen being half-breeds, but merely that he was righteous among them. Having Noah be righteous among hisgenerations is slight support for the view that sees the sons of God as human.One early argument against this angelic view was that angels didn’t marry in heaven according to Jesus(Matthew 22:30). This has been responded to many times and it is rightly pointed out that this is referringto angels in heaven, not fallen angels. So, the option was left open that fallen angels may very well do this.However, a new problem now arises. Moses points out that the sons of God took wives (ishshah wife/women)(Genesis 6:2). Never once have I found a verse in the Bible where wife, wives, husband, husbands, or marriagewas anything other than between a human male and female. If these were marriages between fallen angels andwomen, then it opens up the possibility of marriages that are not limited to man and woman, when the Bible isclear on this subject.An argument in response is that ishshah could merely be used for women, not wives, and doesn’t necessarilymean they were married, but rather taken for sexual purposes outside of marriage, possibly forcibly. In light ofsome of these criticisms, this popular view may not be the best one, though many great scholars hold to it and itshould be at least respected. I encourage deeper study in both the view and the responses as I am only touchingthe surface.Perhaps the most devastating argument against this view came from Jesus Himself, though. We have noinstance in Scripture where fallen angels ever materialized as previously stated. This is significant becauseChrist offered proof of His resurrection when the disciples questioned Him:Luke 24:37–43But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Whyare you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touchMe and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He

showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement,He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it andate it before them. (emphasis added)If fallen angels or demons, which are spirit, could materialize, then this calls into question the entireresurrection of Christ. Christ says spirits do not have flesh and bones, so it would seem these entities can’tmake physical bodies for themselves.The Fallen Angels Overtook Men View• Sons of God: Men overtaken by fallen angels/demons• Nephilim: 100% humanThis view has some similarities to the previous view in that the sons of God have a relationship to fallenangels. The sons of God would be men who were overtaken by fallen angels and/or demons. Unlike the previousview, this one holds that the offspring were not a mix but completely human. Of course, some of the argumentsagainst the sons of God being angels in the previous section apply here as well.It is possible for men to be overcome by Satan or demons. Men can easily be overcome or influenced by Satansuch as Judas in Luke 22:3. Demons have often entered into people, such as in Mark 5:15.The question really is this: would such people who are overtaken by demons and/or fallen angels warrant thetitle sons of God? In gospel accounts, many people were overtaken by demons, but never were they titled sonsof God. Other biblical passages do not mention people who were overcome by evil spirits or demons as sons ofGod either.In this view, though, there is no problem with Nephilim appearing pre-Flood, getting wiped out, and thenreappearing as this happened again. According to this view, the offspring/Nephilim are still 100% descendantof Adam and Eve, thus eligible to receive salvation if they placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thechildren would have been conceived in sin. But this is nothing new in light of original sin that affects us all sinceAdam sinned in the Garden. In fact, Psalm 51 sayssalm 51:5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.A problem associated with this view is this: are Nephilim still being born today? If not, then why was it nolonger mentioned in the Bible after Moses? Especially with the many demon-possessed and Satanic entrancesinto men surrounding the time of Christ? So, by this view, any of us could potentially be Nephilim.Also, it would seem strange that offspring by this union would require an entirely different term (Nephilim)to describe them. Although this may not be one of the better explanations, it is plausible, and I wouldn’t discountit entirely.The Sethite View• Sons of God: 100% human• Nephilim: 100% humanThe Sethite view is probably the second-most-popular view. It appeals to the context of Genesis 5, just beforethe mention of the sons of God and Nephilim. So, it has good support with regards to the literary context.One variant of the Sethite view is that the sons of God were kings or rulers. This has some biblical support,such as Psalm 82:1–6. Also, this would explain why many ancient cultures refer to demi-gods as well. It alsoexplains how ancestor worship can arise, even in a post-Flood realm. But both of these Sethite views still haveproblems.In both of these Sethite views, it is assumed that there was a godly lineage from Adam to Seth and followeddown the line to Noah:Adam–Seth–Enosh–Kenan–Mahalalel–Jared–Enoch–Methuselah–Lamech–NoahIn this godly lineage of Sethites, they were called sons of God being in the context of the previous chapter.These sons of God or their children married or began marrying ungodly women (daughters of men), and theirchildren followed after false gods and rejected the one true God. In other words, they fell away from God—recallthe word Nephilim is related to the verb series “to fall” in Hebrew. In this view, offspring from these unions hadfallen from God and were termed Nephilim.While commenting on Genesis in Exposition of Genesis, H.C. Leupold says of this view:But who are these “sons of God”? Without a shadow of doubt, the Sethites—the ones just described in chapterfive as having in their midst men who walked with God, like Enoch (v. 22), men who looked to higher comfortin the midst of life’s miseries, like Lamech (v. 29), men who publicly worshipped God and confessed His name(4:26). Such men merit to be called the “sons of God” (benê ‘elohîm), a title applied to true followers of God60 B. Hodgeelsewhere in the Old Testament Scriptures. When the psalmist refers to such (Psalm 73:15) as “the generationof thy children,” he uses the same word “sons,” describing them as belonging to God. Deuteronomy 32:5 uses thesame word “sons” (“children,” A. V.) in reference to Israel. Hosea 1:10 is, if anything, a still stronger passage,saying specifically to Israel, “Ye are sons of the living God” (Heb. benê ‘el chay). Psalm 80:17 also belongs here.Criticism resorts to a technicality at this point. If God said to me: “Thou art my Son,” criticism’s claim wouldbe: “You have not been called ‘God’s son,’ but ‘my son,’”—a mere technicality. So in the face of the passages wehave just cited criticism claims the Scriptures do not use the expression “sons of God” for the godly, because “thychildren” is used in three instances and in the fourth another name is used for God, ’el chay. We might wordthe case thus: strictly speaking, “sons of God” is a title applied to the godly; grammatically, the very expression“sons of God” does not happen to be used in reference to them in that very form.Over against this usage that we have cited criticism arrays another, the substance of which is: The title “sons ofGod” is used in reference to the angels. This claim cannot be denied; see Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7 and Daniel 3:25; alsobenê ‘elîm, “sons of the Mighty,” Psalm 29:1; 89:7. But this claim becomes erroneous when it is thus worded: Thetitle “sons of God” is used only in reference to the angels.But of these two uses of the title, which shall we choose in this instance? We have had no mention made ofangels thus far in Genesis. We have met with other sons of the true God, in fact, the whole preceding chapter,even 4:25–5:32, has been concerned with them. Who will, then, be referred to here? Answer, the Sethites,without a doubt.This sounds like a fairly good view from an initial glance. However, there are still a few problems.Were these men and their descendants all godly? Of all of Adam’s children, Seth was deemed worthy toreplace Abel, who was righteous, and with him, people began to call on the name of Lord (Genesis 4:26). Enochwas indeed godly without a doubt. In the genealogy listed in Genesis 5, Enoch is singled out with honors unlikeany other from Adam to Noah:Genesis 5:24Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.Noah was righteous among his generations and found favor with the Lord (Genesis 6:8–9). Were othersSethites? Perhaps several in the patriarchal list were righteous, but probably not all Sethite descendants, whichis one of the biggest arguments against this view.It seems that there would have to be some godly heritage passed along for Noah to have any teachings toremain righteous when others weren’t. However, we need to keep in mind the great ages of these patriarchs.Noah lived 950 years, Seth lived 912 years, and Methuselah lived 969 years (Genesis 5). So, a godly heritagecould have been passed from Seth directly to one of his descendants, such as Enoch and Methuselah, andthen directly to Noah! (Many Bible scholars assume that Methuselah was also godly since his father Enoch,who walked with God in an incredible faith, would not have erred by failing to pass on a godly heritage to hisson—Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14).The patriarchs in the lineage from Seth to Noah’s father Lamech died prior to the Flood, which was a judgmenton man’s sin, so they avoided this judgment. Was this because they were all godly? Perhaps. Regardless, thisdoesn’t give any solid biblical evidence that confirms that the others in lineage were righteous besides thosealready discussed, and only a small case could be made for Lamech (see the quoted section by Leupold above).If we look at the descendants of some of these others in Sethite lineage, why didn’t they pass a godly heritageto their children? Recall, even the other sons and daughters of Methuselah (Genesis 5:26) and Lamech (Genesis5:30) did not make it to the Ark, and unless they died before the Flood, they would have been considered wicked(Genesis 6:5). In light of this, many Sethites were not saved from the Flood but perished, indicating Sethitesweren’t necessarily godly and shouldn’t all be lumped together as sons of God.Another problem presents itself for the Sethite view when we discuss Numbers 13. Post-Flood, everyone wasa Sethite! Where did those Nephilim come from?There is an another inconsistency in this view. Genesis 6:1 refers to men being that of mankind, and then, inverse 2, men (daughters of men) is, in this view, inconsistently held as daughters of the Cainites. So, it may begoing a bit far, though it doesn’t negate this view entirely.In all, this view has fewer problems but is still speculative in some areas.The Fallen Men View• Sons of God: 100% human• Nephilim: 100% humanThis view is similar to the Sethite view, and it could be considered an upgrade from it as well. In this view,not all of Seth’s lineage or descendants were assumed to be godly but can include some of them as godly. It also

 

[Deleted member 55252]

showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement,He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it andate it before them. (emphasis added)If fallen angels or demons, which are spirit, could materialize, then this calls into question the entireresurrection of Christ. Christ says spirits do not have flesh and bones, so it would seem these entities can’tmake physical bodies for themselves.The Fallen Angels Overtook Men View• Sons of God: Men overtaken by fallen angels/demons• Nephilim: 100% humanThis view has some similarities to the previous view in that the sons of God have a relationship to fallenangels. The sons of God would be men who were overtaken by fallen angels and/or demons. Unlike the previousview, this one holds that the offspring were not a mix but completely human. Of course, some of the argumentsagainst the sons of God being angels in the previous section apply here as well.It is possible for men to be overcome by Satan or demons. Men can easily be overcome or influenced by Satansuch as Judas in Luke 22:3. Demons have often entered into people, such as in Mark 5:15.The question really is this: would such people who are overtaken by demons and/or fallen angels warrant thetitle sons of God? In gospel accounts, many people were overtaken by demons, but never were they titled sonsof God. Other biblical passages do not mention people who were overcome by evil spirits or demons as sons ofGod either.In this view, though, there is no problem with Nephilim appearing pre-Flood, getting wiped out, and thenreappearing as this happened again. According to this view, the offspring/Nephilim are still 100% descendantof Adam and Eve, thus eligible to receive salvation if they placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thechildren would have been conceived in sin. But this is nothing new in light of original sin that affects us all sinceAdam sinned in the Garden. In fact, Psalm 51 sayssalm 51:5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.A problem associated with this view is this: are Nephilim still being born today? If not, then why was it nolonger mentioned in the Bible after Moses? Especially with the many demon-possessed and Satanic entrancesinto men surrounding the time of Christ? So, by this view, any of us could potentially be Nephilim.Also, it would seem strange that offspring by this union would require an entirely different term (Nephilim)to describe them. Although this may not be one of the better explanations, it is plausible, and I wouldn’t discountit entirely.The Sethite View• Sons of God: 100% human• Nephilim: 100% humanThe Sethite view is probably the second-most-popular view. It appeals to the context of Genesis 5, just beforethe mention of the sons of God and Nephilim. So, it has good support with regards to the literary context.One variant of the Sethite view is that the sons of God were kings or rulers. This has some biblical support,such as Psalm 82:1–6. Also, this would explain why many ancient cultures refer to demi-gods as well. It alsoexplains how ancestor worship can arise, even in a post-Flood realm. But both of these Sethite views still haveproblems.In both of these Sethite views, it is assumed that there was a godly lineage from Adam to Seth and followeddown the line to Noah:Adam–Seth–Enosh–Kenan–Mahalalel–Jared–Enoch–Methuselah–Lamech–NoahIn this godly lineage of Sethites, they were called sons of God being in the context of the previous chapter.These sons of God or their children married or began marrying ungodly women (daughters of men), and theirchildren followed after false gods and rejected the one true God. In other words, they fell away from God—recallthe word Nephilim is related to the verb series “to fall” in Hebrew. In this view, offspring from these unions hadfallen from God and were termed Nephilim.While commenting on Genesis in Exposition of Genesis, H.C. Leupold says of this view:But who are these “sons of God”? Without a shadow of doubt, the Sethites—the ones just described in chapterfive as having in their midst men who walked with God, like Enoch (v. 22), men who looked to higher comfortin the midst of life’s miseries, like Lamech (v. 29), men who publicly worshipped God and confessed His name(4:26). Such men merit to be called the “sons of God” (benê ‘elohîm), a title applied to true followers of God60 B. Hodgeelsewhere in the Old Testament Scriptures. When the psalmist refers to such (Psalm 73:15) as “the generationof thy children,” he uses the same word “sons,” describing them as belonging to God. Deuteronomy 32:5 uses thesame word “sons” (“children,” A. V.) in reference to Israel. Hosea 1:10 is, if anything, a still stronger passage,saying specifically to Israel, “Ye are sons of the living God” (Heb. benê ‘el chay). Psalm 80:17 also belongs here.Criticism resorts to a technicality at this point. If God said to me: “Thou art my Son,” criticism’s claim wouldbe: “You have not been called ‘God’s son,’ but ‘my son,’”—a mere technicality. So in the face of the passages wehave just cited criticism claims the Scriptures do not use the expression “sons of God” for the godly, because “thychildren” is used in three instances and in the fourth another name is used for God, ’el chay. We might wordthe case thus: strictly speaking, “sons of God” is a title applied to the godly; grammatically, the very expression“sons of God” does not happen to be used in reference to them in that very form.Over against this usage that we have cited criticism arrays another, the substance of which is: The title “sons ofGod” is used in reference to the angels. This claim cannot be denied; see Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7 and Daniel 3:25; alsobenê ‘elîm, “sons of the Mighty,” Psalm 29:1; 89:7. But this claim becomes erroneous when it is thus worded: Thetitle “sons of God” is used only in reference to the angels.But of these two uses of the title, which shall we choose in this instance? We have had no mention made ofangels thus far in Genesis. We have met with other sons of the true God, in fact, the whole preceding chapter,even 4:25–5:32, has been concerned with them. Who will, then, be referred to here? Answer, the Sethites,without a doubt.This sounds like a fairly good view from an initial glance. However, there are still a few problems.Were these men and their descendants all godly? Of all of Adam’s children, Seth was deemed worthy toreplace Abel, who was righteous, and with him, people began to call on the name of Lord (Genesis 4:26). Enochwas indeed godly without a doubt. In the genealogy listed in Genesis 5, Enoch is singled out with honors unlikeany other from Adam to Noah:Genesis 5:24Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.Noah was righteous among his generations and found favor with the Lord (Genesis 6:8–9). Were othersSethites? Perhaps several in the patriarchal list were righteous, but probably not all Sethite descendants, whichis one of the biggest arguments against this view.It seems that there would have to be some godly heritage passed along for Noah to have any teachings toremain righteous when others weren’t. However, we need to keep in mind the great ages of these patriarchs.Noah lived 950 years, Seth lived 912 years, and Methuselah lived 969 years (Genesis 5). So, a godly heritagecould have been passed from Seth directly to one of his descendants, such as Enoch and Methuselah, andthen directly to Noah! (Many Bible scholars assume that Methuselah was also godly since his father Enoch,who walked with God in an incredible faith, would not have erred by failing to pass on a godly heritage to hisson—Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14).The patriarchs in the lineage from Seth to Noah’s father Lamech died prior to the Flood, which was a judgmenton man’s sin, so they avoided this judgment. Was this because they were all godly? Perhaps. Regardless, thisdoesn’t give any solid biblical evidence that confirms that the others in lineage were righteous besides thosealready discussed, and only a small case could be made for Lamech (see the quoted section by Leupold above).If we look at the descendants of some of these others in Sethite lineage, why didn’t they pass a godly heritageto their children? Recall, even the other sons and daughters of Methuselah (Genesis 5:26) and Lamech (Genesis5:30) did not make it to the Ark, and unless they died before the Flood, they would have been considered wicked(Genesis 6:5). In light of this, many Sethites were not saved from the Flood but perished, indicating Sethitesweren’t necessarily godly and shouldn’t all be lumped together as sons of God.Another problem presents itself for the Sethite view when we discuss Numbers 13. Post-Flood, everyone wasa Sethite! Where did those Nephilim come from?There is an another inconsistency in this view. Genesis 6:1 refers to men being that of mankind, and then, inverse 2, men (daughters of men) is, in this view, inconsistently held as daughters of the Cainites. So, it may begoing a bit far, though it doesn’t negate this view entirely.In all, this view has fewer problems but is still speculative in some areas.The Fallen Men View• Sons of God: 100% human• Nephilim: 100% humanThis view is similar to the Sethite view, and it could be considered an upgrade from it as well. In this view,not all of Seth’s lineage or descendants were assumed to be godly but can include some of them as godly. It also

eliminates any perceived problem of the Nephilim in Numbers 13 needing to be Sethites, as there have beengodly men both pre-Flood and post-Flood. It also holds consistency between the use of men in verse 1 and verse2 of Genesis 6 keeping both as mankind.In this view, godly men, such as some of the men listed in the Bible from Seth’s line (perhaps some on otherlineages as well), were called the “sons of God” in keeping with literary context. So, sons of God were merelygodly men of the time. Perhaps Leupold was trying to convey this view but simply didn’t take it far enough.Like the Sethite view, godly men (sons of God) were marrying women who were not godly (daughters of men),such as Cain’s (or others of Adam’s) descendants, including ungodly people from Seth’s line, thus resulting inNephilim because they fell away from God’s favor. Once again, the Hebrew word Nephilim is related to the verbseries “to fall.” For example, we know Cain fell away, and Lamech (descendant of Cain) and many other menand women had fallen away. The Nephilim could easily have been people who had fallen or turned from God ina severe way. This would also make sense as to why some of Canaan’s descendants (descendants of Anak wereCanaanites) were called Nephilim in Numbers 13.If you recall, Sodom and Gomorrah were so sinful that they were destroyed with direct intervention by God(Genesis 18:20, 19:24). This reminds me of the Flood—God Himself had a direct hand in destroying them(Genesis 6:13, 17). When Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, it is logical to assume that many descendants ofthose people who were not living in the area any longer were not destroyed. In fact, the Bible doesn’t say that allof the descendants of these places were completely destroyed. Therefore, it is logical that there could have beendescendants living out away from the plain, such as Hebron, which is where the Anakites came from (Joshua15:13).The Bible indicates that the Anakites were descendants of the Nephilim, but it couldn’t have been thosewiped out in the Flood, since God destroyed all land flesh. Therefore, it had to be group a people that werepost-Flood. If the Nephilim had fallen so far pre-Flood that God Himself destroyed the earth as a result of theirsin, then it makes sense that the post-Flood account of similar but smaller scale destruction in Sodom andGomorrah may well have been the Nephilim. With the Anakites, who were Canaanites like those in Sodom andGomorrah, they may very well have been their descendants.It makes more sense that they were relatives/descendants from Sodom and Gomorrah (and the other citiesof the plain). The sinners who died in the Flood and the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah had one significantthing in common—they were the ones in history to fall so far from God that God Himself had a direct hand indestroying them. So, it makes sense why these two groups could both be called Nephilim in this view: 100%human descendants of Adam who were in a state of being fallen far from God. Of course, there should be nodogmatism about this point.Common Questions1. What about the Book of Enoch?The Book of Enoch is an ancient book that is attributed to Enoch, who is listed in the lineage from Seth toNoah. The Book of Enoch, Jewish traditions, and Josephus hold strongly to the idea that the sons of God werefallen angels and the Nephilim were offspring of such unions.5 Even the Jewish translators of the Septuagint,who were known to make errors, translated the Genesis 6 phrase as “angels of God,” revealing their beliefs. TheBook of Enoch says in Chapter 6 and 7:Chapter 6And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautifuland comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to oneanother: ‘Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.’ And Semjaza,who was their leader, said unto them: ‘I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall haveto pay the penalty of a great sin.’ And they all answered him and said: ‘Let us all swear an oath, and all bindourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.’ Then sware they all togetherand bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And they were in all two hundred; who descended inthe days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had swornand bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And these are the names of their leaders: Samlazaz,their leader, Araklba, Rameel, Kokablel, Tamlel, Ramlel, Danel, Ezeqeel, Baraqijal, Asael, Armaros, Batarel,Ananel, Zaquel, Samsapeel, Satarel, Turel, Jomjael, Sariel. These are their chiefs of tens.Chapter 7And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and theybegan to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments,and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. And they became pregnant, and they bare62 B. Hodgegreat giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when mencould no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And they began to sinagainst birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another’s flesh, and drink the blood. Thenthe earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.However, Paul and Christ warn us about Jewish tradition, and we need to keep in mind that the Book ofEnoch is not the Word of God, but the words of fallible man (Titus 1:13–14; Mark 7:8–13; Colossians 2:8). Whatthis passage and the Septuagint do tell us is that people of those days believed the sons of God to be fallenangels.It is true that Jude 14–15 quotes from the book of Enoch (1:9). But that simply means that the quote usedby Jude was inspired of God as Scripture. It gives no credence that any other verse in the book of Enoch isinspired.So, is the book we have today really from pre-Flood Enoch? It wasn’t enough to make the Canon of Scripture—it mentions Mt. Sinai, which shouldn’t have existed until after the Flood, and Enoch lived long before the Flood.Rarely, if ever, do prophetic works reveal the future name of a place.2. What about Nephilim being men “of renown” and “of old”—doesn’t this mean they were theresult of a special union?Being renowned is simply having fame or being well known. Some Israelites were also men of renown:Numbers 16:1–2Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Da than and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, andOn the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sonsof Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.Ezekiel points to men of renown who would come against Israel from many nations.Ezekiel 23:22–23“Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold I will arouse your lovers against you, from whomyou were alienated, and I will bring them against you from every side: the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans,Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them; desirable young men, governors and officials all ofthem, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.’”So, saying that men of renown were of special offspring unions may not be wise.Being “of old” comes from the Hebrew word (Mlwe ‘owlam), which means of long duration, from antiquity,ancient, or literally old. It can also mean forever or everlasting. Of course, this makes sense; since many of thepatriarchs were living for 900 years, it makes sense that early, pre-Flood factors allowed them to live long ages(see Did People Like Adam and Noah Really Live over 900 Years of Age?).6 God may have pointed this out to usfor a significant reason—they were sinning for a long time!They were likely making a name for themselves in wicked ways (renown) and had been for a long time withno apparent end in sight (of old). This could very well have been the final factor to send the Flood to destroythem for their sin. It also lets us know that although they made a great name for themselves, it was no longerremembered due to God’s judgment.ConclusionAfter researching this in more detail than anticipated, I was challenged on many occasions and affirmthat this last view, the fallen men view (a modified Sethite view), may be the best at this point in my studies.However, there may still be problems that I have not had presented to me so far. As a fallible human being,dealing with precious little information regarding the Sons of God and the Nephilim, I may be wrong, but whenI am wrong this does not in any way affect the accuracy of God and His Word.In fact, there may be problems or other views that simply have not been brought to my attention. Regardless,I reiterate that Answers in Genesis officially doesn’t take a particular stand on this issue as a ministry butseeks to encourage readers to carefully study the Scriptures and always maintain the Word of God as theultimate authority on all things.Footnotes1. All Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible.2. Due to the volume of authors, theologians, commentaries, etc. that have written about the sons of God and the Nephilim, I’veopted to not reference each argument and counterargument in detail, or I would have had more references than text. I havefound that many arguments were recapped many times over and decided to stick with the arguments as the basis for thisdiscussion. A few references are given that were required though.

 

[Deleted member 55252]

read every single micropixel

You just had to reply in the middle of my paragraphs,

you dumb faggot piece of shit graycel

kys

 

[BrutalMogger]

You just had to reply in the middle of my paragraphs,

you dumb faggot piece of shit graycel

kys

im sorry but why are you posting shit threads like this.
Nobody gonna read through some jewish scripture bro

 

[Deleted member 55252]

im sorry but why are you posting shit threads like this.
Nobody gonna read through some jewish scripture bro

kys incel faggot

nobody likes you, you should kill yourself

and many people read my last jewish scripture

E4966369 illuminati 666

Way too many. Way, way, way too many. I see where your coming from. I'll try to tone it down next time. I could provide a TLDR if you'd like that.

looksmax.org

 

[BrutalMogger]

kys incel faggot

nobody likes you, you should kill yourself

and many people read my last jewish scripture

E4966369 illuminati 666

Way too many. Way, way, way too many. I see where your coming from. I'll try to tone it down next time. I could provide a TLDR if you'd like that.

looksmax.org

first comment is literally TLDR you mongoloid

 

[Deleted member 55252]

first comment is literally TLDR you mongoloid

So what bitch? Read it

 

[NoReedemingFeature]

Bookmarked