The Son’s of God mentioned in the Bible is a phrase with different meanings and beliefs of just who they really were. One usage of the phrase occurs in Genesis 6:1-4. Certain “sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (v. 2). The offspring of these unions are described as “giants,” “mighty men,” and “men of renown” (v. 4). Now, the question centers on the true identity of these “sons of God”. Who were these men mentioned in this passage of Scripture? There are presently two basic possible answers to this question. The phrase could be talking about nonhuman beings such as those mentioned in Job (1:6; 2:1). The other possible explanation could be that the phrase may be an unusual way of referring to human beings.

The context of the verse gives important clues that the “sons of God” in this case are not angelic beings. Nowhere else in the Bible is there even a hint that nonhuman and human beings can mate. There are many parallels in pagan thought or belief, but none in Biblical thought. A second clue occurs right in the passage itself. The Hebrew verb in verse two translated as “took them wives” is the standard verb in the Old Testament for the word marriage. In the New Testament Jesus stated that angels do not marry (Matt. 22:30). Therefore, “sons of God” in this Scripture must refer to human beings.

But, there has been much speculation about who these “sons of God” mentioned in the sixth chapter of Genesis really were. Let’s take a look at the three basic interpretations of this passage from different individuals in history.

The first, and oldest interpretation, belief is that “the sons of God” were actually fallen angels who consorted or mated with human women, which produced giant offspring called in the Hebrew (nephilim). This view was widely believed in the world of the first century, and was supported by such men as, Flavius Josephus, Philo, Eusebius, and many of the “Ante-Nicene Fathers,” which included Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Tertullian, Ireaeus, Athenagoras, and Commodianus.

The second interpretation is one which was suggested by Africanus and later advocated by Saint Augustine, the Catholic Bishop of Hippo. However, Augustine rejected the concept of the fallen angels having any kind of a relationship with women and producing any offspring. In his early fifth century book entitled, “The City of God”, he promoted the theory that the “sons of God” simply referred to the genealogical line of Seth, who were committed to preserving the true worship of God. He interpreted Genesis 6 to mean that the male offspring of Adam through Seth were “the sons of God,” and the female offspring of Adam through Cain were “the daughters of men.” He wrote that the problem was that the family of Seth had interbred with the family of Cain, intermingling the bloodlines and the result was the corrupting of pure religion. This view or interpretation has become the dominate belief among most biblical scholars today.

Now, the third interpretation is that “the sons of God” were actually the sons of pre-Flood rulers or magistrates. This belief became the standard explanation of rabbinical Judaism after Rabbi Simeon ben Yochai pronounced a curse in the second century C.E. upon those Jews who believed the common teachings that the angels were responsible for the nephilim. Furthermore, this interpretation was advocated by other respected Jewish rabbis of the Middle Ages, and became the standard explanation of rabbinical Judaism. However, this interpretation is not widely accepted by modern scholars today.

What is my personal opinion of this topic matter? We know that there are those who strongly believe that the “sons of God mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4 were actually angels who took for themselves wives, who had physical relationships with women. There are several Scriptures in the Bible used to try and prove their point. However, I will admit that I am not certainly convinced of who these “sons of God” truly were. But, I do not believe they were angels because of what Jesus said in Luke 20:34-36, “And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God. being the children of resurrection.”