This post based on a question about angels called into the TCT Network program, Ask The Pastor. People frequently ask the interpretation of Genesis 6:4. I thought I’d tackle it in short.
The Antediluvian Age
Antediluvian is a word that describes the period before the flood chronicled in Genesis 6-9. This is also the age of man before law. This is alluded to in Romans 2:14:For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:Because man lived without laws, they lived however they chose. And evil seeming more pleasurable than good, man’s wickedness increased without restraint.
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
Sons and Daughters of the Earth
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Genesis 6:1-2Note here that not all men were evil. Some remembered the lessons learned in the Garden. Adam taught his children about God and the knowledge was passed down for generations. Some, like the sons of Seth, continued to acknowledge God, while most, like the sons of Cain, walked in the own way. Nevertheless, there was little restraint practiced by any. The sons of God even took wives of as many women as they desired. Now, while this may have kept in practice the commandment to be fruitful and multiply, this was not God’s intent. God is a God of order. Man, in this case, went wild and followed their flesh rather than their intelligence.
So Who Were These Sons of God?
In case it was missed earlier, these are the sons of Seth. There are different thoughts on this taken from the following verse…There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Genesis 6:4The word ‘giants’ causes a gross misinterpretation. It is believed that these men were literal giants, born from a union of women and angels. Well. there is at least one verse that refutes this thought. First of all, Genesis 6:2 says the sons of God ‘took wives’. Now read this…
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew 22:30Angels do not marry! Not enough? What about this one?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Hebrews 2:7Angels are not organic or natural beings. They cannot procreate! If they could, don’t you think God would have allowed them to reproduce with each other instead of creating untold numbers of them?
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Revelation 5:11 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Psalms 68:17Can you imagine if Satan could procreate? You think there are evil people in the world now! The movies like Rosemary’s Baby and Damien would more reality than fiction! No my dear brothers and sisters. The sons of God were godly men who married the daughters of wicked men. This gave rise to men who became great (giants) and well known (men of renown) Giants is also misinterpreted. Giants in Genesis 6:4 means tyrant or bully. Think about this. We hear of tyrants in countries and bullies in schools today. Imagine the same in a world where evil reigns without restraint. Yes, men with big time chips on their shoulders! These men became ruthless rulers and oppressive lords over people, not 9 feet, 9 inch tall men like Goliath!
Angels Producing Giants?
If you’ve read this far, you know I already covered this in the preceding topic. Just to reiterate, angels are not like humans. They cannot procreate. They cannot mate with humans. So giants did not exist because of unions between women and angels. Just think. If that is the case, tall men like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7 feet, 2 inches) and Shaquille O’Neal (7 feet, 1 inch) or taller, Robert Pershing Wadlow (8 feet , 11.1 inches) or Sultan Kösen (8 feet, 2.8 inches) would be considered demi-gods!Fantasy and Tradition vs Truth
While there were and are giants in our world, they are not the norm. Stories of great men born of natural/supernatural unions are the stuff of movies and mythology. They make for great entertainment, but not biblical truth. Yet many will fight to hold on to such error, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. Why? Man, by nature, desires to be more, to be greater. We are also vain in that we will fight to promulgate error because we, along with countless others, want to believe them. In this case, truth is not what matters. What we choose to believe is true does matter! History as well as scripture teaches us the following: Being a follower of the masses will cost you more than walking side by side with the few.Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4:16
Thanks for this post I was trying to explain this topic to my sister who believes Angels had children with human. I tried to explain that Angels do not procreate. I’m going to forward this post to her. Thanks once again. LE
Thanks for visiting and commenting Lurrie! I’m thankful this post was helpful to you.
The “problem” is these were indeed giants. Ordinary men do not produce unordinary beings. Every scripture is written for a reason.
Every scripture. “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” The fact that they were giants is well established.
The only logical reasoning is when, “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;” left that domain became beings able to reproduce i.e. have seed. If it was ordinary seed their would be no other than ordinary offspring.
Angels nor demons have seed. Leaving this ‘proper domain’ begat them human form in every aspect.
Even further I would assert God gave them this ability. God is sovereign. He often leaves us and His creations to their own machinations. Satan is a prime example.
Karen, the issue here is usage and context. Merriam Webster defines the word here (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giant). We have the ‘Giants’ football team. Are the literal giants? I think not. Yes, there were literal giants (as compared to normal sized men) after the flood. These men were not former angels, right? We call great men ‘titans’. Are they giants monsters?
What verse says angels became or can become human? None. Without biblical proof, people make things up to legitimize what they don’t understand. Nowhere in scripture can we find where an angel donned flesh, mated with humanity, or were made human by God. Why keep that a secret and not have it written?
No, giants before the flood were great and powerful men, leaders of men, “men of renown”, not transformed angels. If it’s not in the book, question it…
I believe as Derek Prince did, and as the Book “Earth’s Earliest Ages” also by George Pember…as it alluded to interactions between those angels which left their original habitat. In Sodom…the angels took on human form ..and the entire city lusted after them. Prince was a very sound minister…the first I ever saw that caused demons to react in people as in the early church. But in the end it does not matter so much, as the birth pains have clearly started..His Approach is Near.. even if decades away. If in this time you do not LOVE the truth…you can easily be swept away by the current and coming deceptions of Satan.
Thank you Sean. Nevertheless, if it cannot be proven biblically, it does not matter who says it. Just because angels look human, that does not make them human. Remember, the God of Heaven is a God of order. He did not and would not change angels into humans (this is not something that would happen on its own) so they could mate with women. Think about it…
Where in the bible and/or Torah does it say that angels can not procreate? If angels can transfigure into humans just as they did when they arrived in Sodom to warn Lot and the people in Sodom including rhe men wanted to have sex with them , then why not? Why couldnt and angel in human form procreate. I think you discounted that fact that angels can transform into humans on purpose to validate your personal opinion on this topic. In the old testament Leviticus, it mentions just how small the israelites felt compared to height of the caananites, “….we were as grasshoppers compared to them”.There is alot more evidence that supports the story of the giants and angels marrying women. But it also depends on which sources you gather information from. Example, as a Seventh Day Adventist my view is not popular amongst them but amongst one of the oldest Christian denominations which is the Ethiopian Coptic christians, they have included the Book of Enoch as canon and there in the book of Enoch which both Christ and Jude quote from, youll find the evidence of angels marrying women thus creating the giants or nephilim. Like i stated earlier, depending on what faith or belief you have and what source you gather informatio from, our views will differ so will our opinion on this matter.
I agree and do not believe angels had blood and it takes blood for the adamic race to continue. I am questioning where do the Repheim and the Anakin come in. It does seem they were giants.
Thanks for commenting, Debbie! Yes, they were giants. Many stood at least nine feet tall! Now, when you look at men today who stand seven plus feet, that’s very tall, but not like we would imagine Cyclops! And these men were not children or sons of God. They were of the wicked Gentiles nations. and note the Genesis verse again… “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. ” See the phrase, “and also afterward”? Nothing here says these giants had anything to do with the sons of God. I hope this helps a bit! God bless!
The anakim, post-flood giants in numbers, are described as descendants of the nephilim, the offspring of the sons of God. This passage makes it hard to believe the sons of god were the descendants of Seth. Why then were the descendants large in size as stated in Numbers? Could it be angels can reproduce but are not allowed to in heaven, so fallen angels did as they pleased.
Joel, thank you for your comment. What makes it hard to believe Seth was the progenitor of the sons of God? It is from the line of Seth we have Enoch and Noah, godly men. While Genesis 6:4 does mention giants being in the land, it does not say specifically that the sons of God were giants; “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” The phrase “and also after that” creates a separation or new statement. The giants were as corrupt, if not more so because of their size, than normal men. So they could not be sons of God. As far as the angels are concerned, no angel, fallen or otherwise, can reproduce. They are spirits, not human. God only gave humanity the ability to reproduce. We still have some giants today! Maybe not as tall as the sons of Anak, but still taller that the average human.
Hi – Thank you for this article and thread. I’m so relieved that people can discuss and ask questions and even disagree without melting down into chaos 🙂
Not to nitpick, but your statement “And it’s because we are finite that He did so, so our species could continue.” made me think of the Garden. Didn’t Creator tell Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply before the fall when they still had access to the tree of life? So doesn’t make sense to me that procreation was originally intended to keep the species going if He meant for us to take from the tree of life and live forever.
LF, Thank you. I appreciate the nitpicking. I am still learning as well. And because I’m human, I do not always express myself as accurately as I desire. To that end, I understand what you’re saying. It was God’s plan from the beginning for us to procreate. Even before the fall. For this reason, I modified my comment to Joel to be more in line with my point.
I appreciate the fact that angels are not human, and as such cannot procreate. But, to be fair, do they not take human form, in the fact that we could encounter them as strangers? If that is the case, seems to me that form may also carry procreative abilities, as we know it. Yet, what type of form is it that they take, given they are not borne and develop as we do? It’s obviously supernatural, and it seems plausible accordingly that procreativity is a possibility. It’s questionable that some of that supernatural ability is inhereted by their offspring, if they can indeed procreate. But I don’t think we can rule procreation by angels out, not in terms of their supernatural abilities. Samson had superhuman abilities, if not supernatural abilities, That he discharged with his mortal body. I think there’s no telling what angels are capable of that we can never fully understand. We may have to leave this one to God, when we make our way, God willing, to his abode.
Gilles
Gilles, I believe we can rule it out. Is there any biblical proof? Any empirical proof at all? God is not confused like we are. He made us human and angels spirits as it is written. Nowhere do we find it otherwise. If you have scripture to refute this, you are welcome to share. 🙂
I agree with you that the sons of God can not be angels and here are a few of the verse I use to back it up with some comments.
1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
Notice this verse does not mention angels here. Angels are clearly spirits according to scripture:
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Clearly angels are spirits and just because they can take the form of a man does not make them human Example: If an artist takes same clay and forms it into a man does that clay now have the ability to reproduce with a women?
What about Psalms 127:3??
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
How could the fruit from an angel and a human be God’s reward? Notice what Hebrews says about Jesus:
Hebrews 2:16-17 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Jesus didn’t take on the nature of the angels he took on the nature of man by becoming lower than the angels. So if angels are able to reproduce with women do they become lower than the angels??
Since Moses wrote the book of Genesis why didn’t he just call the “sons of God” angels if that is what they are since he uses the phrase “angels of God” elsewhere in Genesis?
Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Genesis 32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
There are numerous examples in scripture why angels can not procreate with women. If they could then what are these new beings called?? God destroys mankind with a flood because of what angels did?? And then we still have giants after the flood so angels are still procreating with women?? What was the purpose of the flood then?? The purpose of the flood was to rid the world of Cain’s lineage. Why do we read the names of wives and daughters in Cain’s lineage but not Seth’s?? What was Noah’s wife’s name?? We see the name of the first women mentioned as a daughter in the Bible in Genesis 4:22 from Cain’s lineage…only 6 generations out…Zillah (means shadow or darkness) has a daughter named Naamah…(means pleasant, delightful). The daughters of men?? I for one am convinced God’s people or Seth’s generation began taking wives from Cain’s lineage whom God calls the daughters of men as you study and compare scripture.
Very nice Brian!
Also to add to your comment 1 Corinthians 15:40 “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”
Thank you, Jade!
So then can you please explain how the nephilim and anakim, Goliath and his 5 brothers, ALL LITERAL GIANTS, came into existence on the earth?
Great explanation on this topic.
Missler and many solid scholars have concluded that the Sons of God who came into the daughters of men were fallen angels. The offspring were the Nephlim, which are cited as being present before and after the flood.
If you so dare the apocrypha books of Jasher and Enoch have more to say on the matter. It is my opinion the vax is a way to perpetuate the bloodline, via injection instead of intercourse. Ref. Florida Surgeon General who went public concerning the mRNA and DNA coupling, but not citing the DNA source.
It is no coincidence that the remains of Nimrod was found in Turkey and that Hillary Clinton expressed publicly an interest. The ruling bloodline on earth the 1% are made from the third strand of DNA and have no God gene.
And after the flood as other scholars have pointed out: While Noah and his sons were perfect in the generations (genetics) their wives carried on the contaminated lines to render the Biblical inclusion of after the flood.
We know that Angels have male names and characteristics.
We know the fallen left there first estate and at least in part or the sole reason of the rebellion came to have sex with the daughters of man.
QUESTION
It yields the question, did the fallen angels (the Sons of God) have the ability, reproductive organs and sperm, prior to the fall to even be capable of reproducing with human females? How could there be lust without the ability to engage in intercourse?
…before and after the flood, reference numbers as seen as grasshoppers. The wives of noahs sons perpetuated the nephlim linage. eSword “generations” it is referring to genetics.
be carful who you are entertaining, they may be angelic, Hebrews 13:2
Two parts, in part and may be more, inspired the flood, 1) human sin (giving in marriage and the level of depravity) and 2) the contamination of genetics/generations, which Satan has attempted to pollute to stop the Messiah from being birthed.
Read my response to Morris…
Thank you for the helpful discussions. I am also trying to gain more sensible explanations regarding the topic especially if could have Scripture support.
Hello,
The scripture is clear” Sons of God”were always designated to Angels.Even Jude 1:6 gives credit to the understanding that those evil angels did indeed procreate with human women.
The reason why their punishment was so severe its seems,was through some evil design they were able to take on a type of flesh and mate with women. Your reference of those in heaven do not procreate or marry is they way God’s heaven operates that there is no need to do so.However it does not mean they cannot procreate by some evil not intended by God. There is so much biblical proof.Jude even quotes the Book of Enoch which details the fallen angels abominable deeds,which led to the flood.If angels could eat human food as they sometimes did in the Old Testament, they had to have some type of temporary flesh,and this could be argued that they pretended to eat.If you dig more there are more arguments supported they mated with women and created Nephilim,rather than the weaker arguments of the Sethite view.
Dear Morris,
Thank you for your thoughtful message. You bring up some important points about the Sons of God, the Nephilim, and the interpretation of Jude 1:6. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this biblically, as we both seek the truth from Scripture.
I want to take a systematic approach to your key arguments, examining what the Bible explicitly states and addressing potential misinterpretations.
1. The Meaning of Sons of God in the Old Testament
You mentioned that Sons of God were always designated to angels. While this phrase is used for angels in Job 1:6, Job 2:1, and Job 38:7, we must interpret words in their context. The phrase bene ha’elohim can also refer to humans who belong to God.
Deuteronomy 14:1 “Ye are the children of the LORD your God”
Hosea 1:10 “Ye are the sons of the living God”
Even in the New Testament, believers are called Sons of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:14). So, context determines meaning, not just prior usage.
In Genesis 6:4, the text never directly states that the Sons of God are angels. That assumption must be proven by Scripture itself, not tradition or external texts.
2. Jude 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:4 Do Not Mention Procreation
You referenced Jude 1:6 as proof that fallen angels mated with women. Lets carefully analyze it:
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 1:6, KJV)
This verse does not state that these angels had sexual relations with humans. It simply says they “left their own habitation.” The sin mentioned here could refer to their rebellion against God in following Satan (Revelation 12:4, 9).
The parallel passage in 2 Peter 2:4 says:
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Tartarus], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
Again, no mention of sexual sin. If we assume that “leaving their first estate” means they took human form and had relations with women, we are reading into the text (eisegesis) rather than drawing from the text (exegesis).
3. Does “Going After Strange Flesh” in Jude 1:7 Refer to Angels?
Some say that Jude 1:7 (mentioning Sodom and Gomorrah) proves that fallen angels engaged in sexual sin:
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
However, the subject of verse 7 is Sodom and Gomorrah, not the fallen angels of verse 6.
“Going after strange flesh” refers to homosexual sin and sexual perversion in Sodom (Genesis 19:5), not angelic-human relations.
If Jude meant to say that angels had sex with humans, he would have said it explicitly.
4. Jesus’ Words in Matthew 22:30 Say Angels Cannot Marry or Procreate
Jesus clearly stated:
“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” (Matthew 22:30, KJV)
This tells us two things:
– Angels do not marry.
– Angels in their nature do not procreate.
Some argue, “Well, fallen angels are different.” However:
1. Jesus describes the nature of angels, not just their behavior.
2. Nowhere does the Bible say fallen angels gained the ability to reproduce.
3. If angels were created as non-reproductive beings, sin would not suddenly make them reproductive.
Thus, Jesus’ teaching directly contradicts the angelic-human mating theory.
5. Can Fallen Angels Physically Reproduce with Humans?
Even if angels took on physical form (as in Genesis 18-19), does that mean they have reproductive organs? The Bible never states:
– That angels have DNA or genetic material.
– That angels are biologically compatible with humans.
– That angels in bodily form are fully human.
In fact, angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) and always require possessing bodies (Mark 5:12) rather than having their own fully human biology.
If angels cannot reproduce among themselves, why assume they can suddenly reproduce with humans?
6. What About the Book of Enoch?
You mentioned that Jude quotes from 1 Enoch. While Jude does reference a passage from 1 Enoch 1:9, this does not mean the entire Book of Enoch is inspired Scripture.
– Paul quoted pagan poets (Acts 17:28, Titus 1:12), but that doesn’t mean those writings are Scripture.
– Jude quoted a passage from Enoch that was true, but that does not mean Enoch’s angelic-human union story is correct.
The Bible alone is our authority (2 Timothy 3:16). The Book of Enoch is not part of the biblical canon and contains many myths.
7. What Was the True Sin of the Sons of God?
Since Genesis 6 does not specify that angels mated with humans, what other explanations exist?
– The Sethite View:
– Sons of God = godly line of Seth (Genesis 4:26).
– Daughters of Men = ungodly line of Cain.
– The sin = intermarriage that led to corruption (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
The Royalty View:
– Sons of God = powerful rulers/kings (Psalm 82:6).
– The sin = taking multiple wives (polygamy).
Neither requires angelic-human hybrids, and both are more consistent with biblical theology.
Summary: What Scripture Actually Says
Claim Biblical Evidence As Truth?
Sons of God always means angels. Not always (Deuteronomy 14:1, Hosea 1:10).
Angels married women in Genesis 6. Nowhere stated in the text.
Jude 1:6-7 proves sexual sin. It does not say the sin was sexual.
Angels can procreate. Jesus said angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30).
Book of Enoch is proof. It is not Scripture.
Thus, the fallen angel-human mating theory is based on assumption, not clear Scripture.
I am aware that “A man convinced against their will is of the same opinion still.”
My desire is not to convince, but to present biblical truths as accurately as I can. It’s the Holy Spirit that convinces. I pray these words find you well.
I think its alsinimportant to note that Jesus geanology states all the way to Adam as a son of God. So no. Sons of God do kot ALWSYS mean angels. Again John 1:12-14, to as many as receive Him to them are given the power to become the sons of God….absolutely not angels here as well.
Angels do kot have angel sperm. Only God has the power to CREATE. And God did not CREATE a hybrid human after the 6th day. Also note Jesus was not CREATED at His incarnation, but was made flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary.
Fallen angels from the moment in the garden have always interfered with God’s plan with men. But Angels do mot have any ability yo CREATE a new life form. Even the animal kingdom does not cross lines where a cat breads with a bird.