Genesis 6 Commentary: Who Are the “Sons of God”?

You’re reading Genesis 6 for your small group lesson when you hit verse 2: “The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.”

And you stop.

Who are the “sons of God”? Why does this matter for the flood story? And why do different commentaries give completely different answers?

You’re not alone. This passage has puzzled Bible students for thousands of years. The phrase “sons of God” appears in the Old Testament in ways that seem to point in different directions. Some see angels. Others see Seth’s descendants. Still others see human rulers.

Here’s what we know for sure: Genesis 6 sets up the worst crisis in human history. The wickedness of man becomes so great that God decides to wipe the earth clean with a flood. But the details about these mysterious marriages matter because they help us understand how things got so bad so fast.

Let’s walk through each interpretation carefully. We’ll look at the biblical evidence, the theological implications, and what each view means for how we read the rest of Scripture.

Why Genesis 6 Stops Bible Readers Cold

The opening verses of Genesis 6 contain some of the most debated phrases in the entire Old Testament. When you read “sons of God” and “daughters of men,” you’re encountering Hebrew terms that appear elsewhere in Scripture but not always with clear meaning.

The Hebrew word for “sons of God” carries significant weight throughout Scripture. When we examine the original word in its various contexts, we find that biblical authors used this phrase with careful precision. The same Hebrew word appears in contexts referring to both human beings who follow God and angelic beings who serve in heaven.

The Hebrew phrase “sons of God” (bene Elohim) appears in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7 in contexts that clearly refer to angelic beings. But it also appears in contexts that could refer to human beings who worship God.

The “daughters of men” (benoth ha-adam) could mean human women in general, or it could specifically mean women from ungodly families.

And then there are the Nephilim — described as “mighty men” and “men of renown” — who show up both before and after the flood (Numbers 13:33).

These details aren’t just academic curiosities. They shape how we understand:
– The nature of evil in the pre-flood world
– Why God’s judgment was necessary
– How corruption spreads so quickly
– What made Noah different

The phrase “daughters of men” becomes even more significant when we consider that the text could have simply said “women” or “daughters of humans.” The specific contrast between “sons of God” and “daughters of men” suggests the author intended to highlight a distinction between two groups of people.

This distinction matters because it helps us understand the moral sense in which the narrative operates. The text presents a world where clear boundaries existed between those who maintained relationship with God and those who lived apart from Him. The breakdown of these boundaries became a catalyst for the corruption that followed.

The Three Main Interpretations Explained

Bible scholars have developed three primary interpretations of Genesis 6:1-4. Each has biblical support, theological implications, and practical applications.

Each interpretation addresses the same core question: what kind of corruption became so severe that God had to start over with the human race?

The weakness of views that try to minimize the supernatural elements of this passage is that they often fail to account for the unique language used and the severity of God’s response. When we examine the abounding iniquity of that wicked world, we see that something extraordinary had occurred — something that required divine intervention on an unprecedented scale.

The Sethite View: Godly Line Marries Ungodly

The Sethite view sees “sons of God” as descendants of Seth who maintained worship of the true God, while “daughters of men” refers to descendants of Cain who lived apart from God.

This interpretation fits naturally with the flow of Genesis 4-5, where the author carefully traces two family lines:
– Cain’s line, marked by violence and ungodliness
– Seth’s line, marked by calling “on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26)

The sethite view emphasizes that the godly line of Seth represented those who maintained the fear of God and practiced family religion through multiple generations. These descendants of Seth understood their role as professors of true religion in a world increasingly dominated by corrupt reasonings and evil dispositions.

“At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” — Genesis 4:26

Biblical Support:
– Context emphasizes the godly line of Seth versus ungodly line of Cain
– “Sons of God” could refer to those who worship God (Hosea 1:10)
– Explains how wickedness spread so quickly through intermarriage
– Fits the Old Testament pattern of warning against mixed marriages with unbelievers

How This View Explains the Crisis:

The godly line of Seth maintained family religion and the fear of God for generations. But when godly men began marrying ungodly women based on physical attraction alone (“saw that they were beautiful”), spiritual compromise followed.

The sons of Seth had been raised as godly men who understood their calling to maintain righteousness in an increasingly corrupt world. However, when they saw that the daughters of man were beautiful, they abandoned their spiritual principles and chose wives based purely on physical appearance rather than spiritual compatibility.

The children of these mixed marriages grew up without the influence of family religion. Instead of being raised to fear God, they became “mighty men” and “men of renown” — powerful in human terms but corrupt in dispositions and evil in their inclination of the thoughts of their hearts.

This corruption spread like a bitter root through society. When the children of men grew up without the influence of godly parents, they developed corrupt inclinations that affected their thoughts of man and their manner of men. The godly influence that had been maintained through the descendants of Seth was diluted and eventually lost entirely.

The Role of Family Religion:

According to the sethite view, family religion played a crucial role in maintaining righteousness across generations. When godly men married ungodly women, they often failed to maintain spiritual leadership in their homes. Their children grew up influenced more by ungodly mothers than by the godly heritage of their fathers.

This created a situation where even those with godly heritage began to exhibit dispositions evil from their youth. The fear of God that had characterized the sons of Seth gradually disappeared as spiritual compromise became normalized across generations.

Strengths of This View:
– Fits the immediate literary context perfectly
– Explains the spread of wickedness through natural means
– Emphasizes the importance of spiritual compatibility in marriage
– Shows how quickly a society can lose its moral foundation
– Highlights the importance of maintaining family religion across generations

Challenges:
– Requires assuming “sons of God” means something different here than in Job
– Doesn’t clearly explain why the offspring would be called “mighty men” or “men of renown”
– Some argue it doesn’t adequately account for the supernatural elements suggested in the text
– May not fully explain the unprecedented nature of the corruption that required global judgment

The Angelic View: Fallen Angels and Human Women

The angelic view interprets “sons of God” as angelic beings who left their proper place and took human women as wives, producing offspring that were part supernatural.

This interpretation has strong support in how the phrase “sons of God” is used elsewhere in the Old Testament, particularly in Job. When we examine the intercourse of angels with human women as described in this view, we see a violation of the created order that explains the unprecedented corruption that followed.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” — Job 1:6

Biblical Support:
– “Sons of God” (bene Elohim) consistently refers to angels in Job (1:6, 2:1, 38:7)
– New Testament references suggest angelic interpretation (Jude 6-7, 2 Peter 2:4-5)
– Explains the unusual nature of the Nephilim as hybrid offspring
– Accounts for the supernatural element that made God’s judgment necessary

How This View Explains the Crisis:

According to this interpretation, certain angelic beings abandoned their proper place in heaven and engaged in sexual relations with human women. This wasn’t just moral corruption — it was a fundamental violation of the created order.

These fallen angels left their proper place in the heavenly realm and took human wives, an act that the New Testament describes as abandoning their first estate. This represents a form of rebellion that goes beyond typical human sin — it involves evil spirits directly corrupting the human race through unnatural unions.

The offspring of these unions were the Nephilim — beings with superhuman strength and abilities who became “mighty men” and “men of renown.” Their presence represented a corruption of humanity itself, not just human behavior.

The Nature of the Corruption:

The angelic view suggests that the corruption in Noah’s day involved more than human wickedness — it included a supernatural element that threatened the very nature of humanity. These fallen angels introduced something foreign into the human race, creating hybrid beings that represented a fundamental corruption of God’s creation.

This explains why God’s response was so severe and comprehensive. The flood of waters wasn’t just judgment on human sin, but a cleansing of creation from supernatural corruption that threatened the future of the human race.

The good angels who remained faithful to God would have looked upon this rebellion with horror, seeing their fellow angelic beings abandon their proper place to corrupt the very creation they were meant to serve and protect.

Challenges to Common Objections:

Some argue that Jesus’ statement about angels not marrying (Matthew 22:30) contradicts the angelic view. However, supporters of this interpretation note that Jesus was describing angels in heaven, not rebellious angels who had abandoned their proper place. The text specifically mentions that these beings left their first estate, suggesting they were no longer operating under normal angelic limitations.

Strengths of This View:
– Consistent usage of “sons of God” throughout Scripture
– Explains the supernatural aspects of the narrative
– Supported by ancient Jewish interpretation and early Christian writers
– Connects to New Testament warnings about fallen angels
– Accounts for the unprecedented nature of pre-flood corruption
– Explains why global judgment was necessary

Challenges:
– Raises questions about the mechanics of angelic reproduction
– Could diminish human responsibility for the pre-flood wickedness
– Requires accepting supernatural elements that some find difficult
– May focus attention on extraordinary events rather than moral lessons

The Ruler View: Powerful Men Take Many Wives

The ruler view sees “sons of God” as human kings, nobles, or rulers who claimed divine authority and used their power to take multiple wives.

In the ancient Near East, rulers often claimed to be sons of gods or to rule by divine right. This interpretation sees Genesis 6 as describing powerful human beings who abused their authority for sexual gratification.

These human kings and rulers developed into sorts of people who believed their power gave them the right to take any women they desired. They became a peculiar curse of God upon the earth, using their authority not to protect the vulnerable but to exploit them for their own pleasure.

Biblical Support:
– Psalm 82:6 calls human judges “gods” and “sons of the Most High”
– Ancient Near Eastern texts often call rulers “sons of god”
– Explains the political and social dynamics that led to widespread corruption
– Focuses on human responsibility rather than supernatural intervention

How This View Explains the Crisis:

Powerful men began taking multiple wives based purely on physical attraction (“they were beautiful”) and their ability to do so. This created a system where strength and political power determined access to women, regardless of moral considerations.

These human kings operated without the fear of God, believing their power placed them above divine law. They became a manner of men who saw themselves as gods, entitled to whatever they desired. Their corrupt example influenced the rest of society, creating a culture where might makes right.

The resulting children grew up in an environment where might makes right. They became “mighty men” and “men of renown” not through supernatural heritage, but through the advantages that come with being born into powerful, wealthy families that operated without moral constraints.

This interpretation emphasizes that the corruption came through the abuse of power and the breakdown of social structures that protect the vulnerable. When powerful men began acting without moral restraint, their corrupt spring infected the entire society.

The evil example of the ungodly party in positions of power influenced everyone else. People began to imitate their leaders, adopting the same godless attitudes and behaviors. This created a cascade effect where corruption spread from the top of society downward, eventually affecting all living creatures under human dominion.

Strengths of This View:
– Explains the social and political dynamics clearly
– Emphasizes human responsibility and choice
– Fits patterns of corruption seen throughout history
– Avoids theological complications about angels and reproduction
– Shows how leadership corruption affects entire societies

Challenges:
– Less common usage of “sons of God” for human rulers in Scripture
– May not account for all the supernatural elements in the narrative
– Doesn’t clearly explain why these particular marriages triggered divine judgment
– May underestimate the unique nature of pre-flood corruption

Who Were the Nephilim?

Regardless of which interpretation you prefer for “sons of God,” the text clearly identifies the Nephilim as significant figures in the pre-flood world.

The Hebrew word nephilim probably comes from the root naphal, meaning “to fall.” This could mean:
– Those who fell upon others (warriors/oppressors)
– Those who fell from heaven (if you hold the angelic view)
– Those who caused others to fall (corruptors)

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” — Genesis 6:4 (NIV)

What We Know About the Nephilim:

1. They were “mighty men” — The Hebrew gibborim suggests warriors or powerful individuals
2. They were “men of renown” — They had fame and reputation
3. They existed both before and after the flood — Numbers 13:33 mentions them in Canaan
4. They were connected to the “sons of God” marriages — Their presence is linked to these unions

The most remarkable thing about the Nephilim is how they dominated the pre-flood world through their reputation and power. They became the standard by which strength and influence were measured, creating a culture that valued physical prowess and worldly fame over righteousness and the fear of God.

The mention of Nephilim “afterward” (after the flood) suggests either:
– The term became a general designation for giants or oppressive rulers
– Some form of the same corruption occurred again after the flood
– The spies in Numbers 13 were using hyperbolic language to describe intimidating enemies

The Impact of the Nephilim:

These men of renown created a culture where physical strength and worldly achievement were valued above spiritual qualities. Their influence contributed to the wickedness of the human race by establishing standards that ignored God’s values and emphasized human power instead.

The children of men growing up in this environment learned to admire and emulate these mighty men rather than seeking to follow God. This cultural shift contributed significantly to the corruption that eventually required divine judgment through the great flood.

Why God’s Judgment Came Through the Flood

Whatever view you take of the “sons of God,” Genesis 6:5-7 makes God’s reasoning for the flood crystal clear:

“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” — Genesis 6:5

The Scope of Corruption:

The text emphasizes total corruption:
– “Great wickedness” — not minor moral failures
– “Every inclination” — not just actions, but the bent of human hearts
– “Only evil” — no mixture of good and evil
– “All the time” — constant, not occasional

This describes a society where:
– Violence filled the earth (Genesis 6:11)
– Moral reasoning was completely corrupted
– The distinction between good and evil was lost
– Even human thoughts were continuously wicked

The wickedness of a people had reached a point where the intention of the thoughts of his heart was evil from his youth. This represents a complete moral collapse where even the youngest members of society were corrupted from childhood.

God’s Response:

The text tells us that God was “grieved” and “filled with pain” (Genesis 6:6). This wasn’t arbitrary judgment but the response of a holy God who could no longer allow such corruption to continue.

The eyes of the Lord saw the complete moral breakdown of humanity. This wasn’t just man’s wickedness in terms of external actions, but a fundamental corruption of human nature itself. The spirit of God could no longer strive with humans because they had become entirely given over to evil.

The flood narrative shows us that:
– God takes human wickedness seriously
– There are limits to divine patience
– Even God’s judgment comes from a heart of grief, not anger alone
– God always preserves a remnant (Noah’s family)

The Justice of God:

The great flood represents both the justice of God and His mercy. Justice demanded judgment for the wickedness of the world, but mercy preserved a righteous man and his family to continue the human race.

The story of the flood demonstrates that God’s wrath is not capricious but measured. He gave humanity time to repent, but when the corruption became total, divine judgment became necessary to preserve goodness in creation.

When we read in the Old Testament about such comprehensive judgment, we see that it came only after much sin had accumulated and all hope of natural reformation had passed. The providence of God worked to preserve righteousness through Noah’s family while cleansing the earth of the corruption that threatened to destroy all moral sense.

How Noah Found Grace in God’s Eyes

Against the backdrop of universal corruption, Noah stands out as a remarkable contrast.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” — Genesis 6:8-9

What Made Noah Different:

1. He found grace — God’s unmerited favor rested on him
2. He was righteous — He lived according to God’s standards
3. He was blameless — Not sinless, but having integrity in his generation
4. He walked with God — He maintained close relationship with the Lord

The description of Noah as “blameless among the people of his time” is crucial. This doesn’t mean Noah was perfect, but that he maintained moral integrity in a generation where everyone else had abandoned it.

Noah represented what remained of family religion in a world that had completely abandoned the fear of God. While the rest of the world followed the corrupt example of the mighty men, Noah maintained his holy resolution to serve God regardless of what others did.

Noah’s Faith and the Ark:

When God commanded Noah to build the ark of gopher wood, it required tremendous faith. The length of the ark was 300 cubits, its width 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits — a massive undertaking that would have taken years to complete. Noah had to maintain his faith throughout this extended trial of his faith.

The door of the ark had to be positioned correctly, the upper decks had to be properly constructed, and space had to be provided for every kind of animal and every kind of food they would need. This required a great deal of care and meticulous planning, all based on God’s specific instructions.

Noah’s faith demonstrated itself not just in believing God’s word about coming judgment, but in the practical obedience of building something that must have seemed like the hulk of a ship to his neighbors — especially since there was no large body of water nearby.

Lessons from Noah’s Character:

– Faith acts on God’s word before seeing the results — Noah built the ark before the rain
– Righteousness is possible even in corrupt times — Environment doesn’t determine character
– God preserves those who walk with Him — Divine protection comes through relationship
– One family’s faithfulness can impact history — Noah’s obedience preserved humanity

The Generations of Noah:

The generations of Noah represent a new beginning for humanity after the flood. God’s grace extended not only to Noah himself but to his entire household, demonstrating that righteous parents can bring blessing to their children even in times of widespread corruption.

Noah’s example shows that even when surrounded by a disobedient child mentality in society, parents can maintain godly influence in their homes. His role as a tender father who maintained family religion ensured that his children were prepared to help rebuild civilization on righteous foundations.

The days of Noah became a symbol throughout Scripture of God’s patience followed by inevitable judgment. Just as Noah’s faith preserved his family through the flood of waters, our faith can preserve us through whatever trials we face in our own generation.

What Genesis 6 Teaches Us Today

Regardless of which interpretation you hold about the “sons of God,” Genesis 6 contains timeless principles for modern Christians.

About Spiritual Compromise:

The Sethite view warns us that seemingly small compromises in relationships and values can lead to generational spiritual decline. When godly people choose partners based primarily on physical attraction or social advantage rather than spiritual compatibility, the results often affect multiple generations.

This principle applies beyond marriage to all our relationships and influences. When we allow the evil example of the ungodly party to shape our decisions, we risk losing the spiritual heritage that previous generations worked to maintain.

About Supernatural Warfare:

The angelic view reminds us that spiritual warfare is real and that evil forces actively work to corrupt God’s creation. We live in a world where supernatural evil influences human behavior and social structures.

This doesn’t mean we should become obsessed with demons and evil spirits, but we should recognize that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. The New Testament warns us about spiritual forces of wickedness that work to corrupt and destroy what God has made good.

About Abuse of Power:

The ruler view highlights how political and social power can be used to exploit the vulnerable. Those with influence have special responsibility to protect rather than prey upon those under their authority.

This applies to all forms of leadership — in government, business, church, and family. When leaders abandon the fear of God and begin using their positions for selfish gain, the effects ripple through entire communities and societies.

Universal Applications:

1. God sees everything — The wickedness of man cannot be hidden from the eyes of the Lord
2. Hearts matter more than actions — God judges the inclination of the thoughts of the human heart
3. Grace is available — Even in the worst of times, people can find grace in God’s eyes
4. Righteousness is possible — We can live blamelessly among corrupt people of our time
5. God’s judgment is real — There are consequences for persistent rebellion against God

Connections to Final Judgment:

The flood narrative points forward to the final judgment that will come at the end of all flesh. Just as God cleansed the old world through water, the New Testament tells us that He will cleanse this world through fire. Noah’s day serves as a warning and example for our own time.

The rest of the world in Noah’s day ignored his warnings and continued in their corrupt ways until judgment came suddenly. Similarly, people today often ignore warnings about coming judgment, living as if there will never be consequences for sin.

For Bible Teachers:

When teaching Genesis 6, consider this approach:
1. Acknowledge the interpretive challenges honestly — don’t pretend they don’t exist
2. Present the main views fairly — let your students see the biblical evidence
3. Focus on the clear theological principles — sin, judgment, grace, and faith
4. Apply the practical lessons — how do we live righteously in corrupt times?
5. Connect to the gospel — how does Noah point forward to Christ?

The second view (angelic interpretation) deserves careful consideration alongside the sethite view, as both have strong biblical support. Don’t let the own absurdity of extreme positions discourage you from examining what Scripture actually teaches.

For Personal Study:

Use Genesis 6 to examine your own heart and circumstances:
– Are you maintaining spiritual integrity in your relationships?
– How do you respond to the corruption around you?
– What does it mean to “walk with God” in your daily life?
– Are you building your life on God’s word even when others think you’re wrong?

The Broader Biblical Context:

The flood narrative connects to the broader theme of judgment and salvation throughout Scripture. Just as Noah and his family were saved through the ark while the rest of humanity perished in the waters, believers are saved through Christ while the world faces judgment for sin.

The living thing of all flesh that entered the ark represents the preservation of life through God’s mercy. Every living creatures that survived did so because of God’s command to Noah, demonstrating that salvation comes through obedience to God’s word.

The birds of the sky, every kind of animal, and all manner of living creatures that entered the ark remind us that God’s care extends to all His creation. The great flood was not only judgment on human sin but also a means of preserving the innocent creatures under human dominion.

Genesis 6 reminds us that we live in a world where wickedness can become so pervasive that divine judgment is necessary. But it also shows us that grace is available to those who seek God, and that righteousness is possible even in the worst of times.

The sons of God — whether human or angelic — made choices that contributed to the corruption of their generation. We face similar choices today. Will we compromise for short-term pleasure or advantage? Will we use whatever power we have to serve ourselves or others? Will we maintain spiritual integrity when the culture around us abandons it?

Noah’s example shows us the way forward. In a generation where “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time,” one man and his family walked faithfully with God. Their obedience preserved not just their own lives, but the future of humanity itself.

The grace of God that Noah found is available to us today. Like Noah, we can choose to walk with God even when everyone around us follows a different path. We can maintain family religion in our homes, teach our children the fear of God, and trust in God’s word even when circumstances seem impossible.

Noah’s faith sustained him through decades of building the ark, enduring the ridicule of his neighbors, and caring for the animals during the flood. His example shows us that faith is not just a momentary decision but a lifetime commitment to trust and obey God regardless of circumstances.

The name of the Lord was precious to Noah in a world that had largely forgotten God. He maintained his relationship with the Almighty when it would have been easier to compromise and fit in with his contemporaries. His faithfulness reminds us that we too can honor God in any generation, no matter how corrupt it becomes.

That’s the kind of faith Genesis 6 calls us to today.