Presentation on theology of angels by Todd Linn, PhD on what the Bible teaches about the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6

1. Bible Basics
• A Study in
Systematic
Theology

2. Angelology
(Lesson #9)

3. What in the
world is going on
in Genesis 6?

4. Genesis 6:1-4
1 Now it came to pass, when men began to
multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters
were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men,
that they were beautiful; and they took wives
for themselves of all whom they chose.

5. Genesis 6:1-4
3 And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive
with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his
days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
4 There were giants on the earth in those days,
and also afterward, when the sons of God came
in to the daughters of men and they bore
children to them. Those were the mighty men
who were of old, men of renown.

6. WHAT?

7. Interpreting the Scripture
The phase “sons of God” occurs in verses
2 and 4. Who are they?
Also, who are the “daughters of men” in
verses 2 and 4?
And who are the “giants” in verse 4?

8. How do Believers Interpret This
Passage?
Just like the previous
lesson on the phrase
“Angel of the LORD,”
believers throughout
time have held many
different views of
interpretation.

10. Why Does it Even Matter?
Because we believe the Bible to be the
inspired word of God given to us by God
for good reason (2 Timothy 3:16).
We treat the word with integrity. We dare
not skip over a passage or dismiss it out of
hand just because it is difficult to
understand.

11. Four Main Views
Godly line of Seth marrying wicked
Cainites
Despotic rulers who marry many wives
(polygamy)
Fallen angels cohabiting with beautiful
women
Demon-possessed rulers who marry many
wives (polygamy)

12. Why the Last View Seems Best:
1. It takes seriously the use of the term
“sons of god” in the ancient Near East
and elsewhere in the biblical text as
referring to angelic beings.
2. It explains why God’s judgment was on
humanity, with the accompanying
declaration that mankind was but flesh. If
the sons of God are only fallen angels,
then mankind’s only fault (?) was in
having beautiful daughters.

13. Why the Last View Seems Best:
3. It explains how angels, who do not marry,
could take wives for themselves via
possession of wicked, powerful men (Mt.
22:30).