Mountain View College

School of Theology

What is the Interpretation of the phrase “Sons of God” in Genesis 6:4?

A Research Paper
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Hebrew Reading

By
Algir A. Silang
October 2018
 Table of Content

List of Table of Content

Introduction
Text and Translation
General Background of the book
Authorship
Dating and Recipient
Theme
Purpose
Literary Analysis
Lexical Analysis/Word Study
Grammar and Syntax
Biblical Context
Theological Context
Application
Conclusion
Bibliography
 Introduction
Throughout the book of Genesis the most known biblical history was the flood
which even little children can memorize. Since Genesis the book of creation and
recreation because of such intervention biblical flood history in antediluvian world. The
event can be traced in the chapter six of the book, the early verse described the increasing
wickedness of the people and different readers even scholars is confuse with term and
phrase “son of God” use by the author. Thus, these verse is a need of further study to
understand its correct meaning in relation to the whole message of the scripture.
This study will be addressing three questions. First, what is the correct
interpretation of the phrase “son of God” in Genesis 6:4.Second, Does this refers to the
heavenly being. Third, What is the theological Implication of it?

Text and Translation

JPS
Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when
the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them; the
same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.

KJG
Genesis 6:4 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.

KJV
Genesis 6:4 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.

NAB
Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim appeared on earth in those days, as well as later, after the
sons of God had intercourse with the daughters of human beings, who bore them sons.
They were the heroes of old, the men of renown.

NAS
Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were 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.
 NIV
Genesis 6:4 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.

NJB
Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on earth in those days (and even afterwards) when
the sons of God resorted to the women, and had children by them. These were the heroes
of days gone by, men of renown.

NKJ
Genesis 6:4 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.

‫ׁש֙ר י ָ֜ב ֹאּו ּב ְֵנ֤י ָהֽ ֱאֹלהִים֙ אֶ ל־ּבְנ֣ ֹות הָ ָֽאדָ֔ ם ְויָל ְ֖דּו‬ ֶ ‫ ַהּנְ ִפ ֞ ִלים ָהיּ֣ו ב‬BHS Genesis 6:4
ֶ ֲ‫ָָאר ֘ץ ַּבּי ִ ָ֣מים ָהה ֵ֒ם ו ְַג֣ם אַ ֽח ֲֵרי־ ֵ֗כן א‬
‫ֵעֹול֖ם ַאנ ֵ ְׁ֥שי ַה‬
ָ ‫ֲׁשר מ‬ ֥ ֶ ‫ל ֶ ָ֑הם ֵ ֧ה ָּמה ַהּגִּב ִ ֹ֛רים א‬

The immediate context of this text is from v. 6:1-6:8, since in this particular
context deals about the single of God’s grief towards the wickedness of the people.1 The
different translation shown above has a different ways and choices of words, but they
have similar translation in regards to the phrase “Son of God” Further, the verse
mentioned above are compose of three clauses, and the addressed study is found in the
second clause which is an adverbial clause ֙‫“ ּב ְֵנ֤י הָ ֽ ֱאֹלהִים‬sons of God” which function as a
subject clause in the sentence, taking ‫( י ָ֜ב ֹאּו‬went) as the verb, and addressed the ‫אֶל־ּבְנ֣ ֹות‬
daughters as the Direct object of the sentence. The phrase ‫( ּב ְֵנ֤י הָ ֽ ֱאֹלהִים‬Sons of God) is
found only four times in the scripture2, and both word in the phrase has no variance.

General Background

This area will go through the background of the book of Genesis in its
authorship, date of writing, recipient and themes of this book.
Authorship
The book of "Genesis" comes from the Greek translation of the Pentateuch and
means "origin.” Since, this book has the all account of the beginning of the world and

Harold L. Willmington, Outline Bible (Wheaton,USA: Tyndale House

1

Publisher, Inc.),6.
2
It’s first occurrence is in Genesis 6:2 ; second, Genesis 6:4; third, Job 1:6;
fourth, Job 2:1
almost everything that exist.3 The book of Genesis is basically is belong to the Pentateuch
which compose of five books, scholars says Moses’s name is not found in the book, but it
does in the four books4 the different commentary agreed that Moses is the author of
Genesis, with the reasons “The overall theme of the Pentateuch is God's covenant with
Israel through Moses.” 5 though some scholar said Moses only is the compiler of the book
, as agreed also with some scholars but in an area arrangement Moses wrote it in the
tablets of Stone and compiled it by arranging chronologically additionally, Genesis may
have been composed around the time of exodus, hence the one who wrote it is the one
who lead the people “Moses.”6
Dating and Recipients
Scholars has no exacted date time of the book of Genesis, Genesis seems to
reflect very well its origin in the second millennium B.C. (Moses lived in the 1500s or
1300s).7 Some says the book was written about 1,500 before Christ while the Hebrews
was still in bondage of Egypt. Further, the assumption of the dating of the book of
Genesis it’s final compositionis not later that 1406 BC,since his death is forty years after
the exodus which turn occurred 480 years before constructing the temple in 967-966 BC.8
Additionally, the said book is addresses primarily to the Israelites where Moses audience
in the plain Moab just before he died, but its broad purpose is encompass the church
today for the Hebrew become part of the bible, thus it’s for both Jews and Gentiles.9

Theme

The theme of Genesis is creation, sin, and re-creation. It tells how God created the
world as very good, but that it was destroyed in the flood as a result of man's
disobedience.10 Additionally, it deals on narration of God’s dealing with the faithful few
who love Him and the depth depravity to those who left Him.11

3
ESV study Bible
4
Victor O. Hamilton, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary , ed. Gary M.
Burge and Andrew E. Hill (Grand Rapids ,MI: Baker Publishing ) “s.v” 5.
5
ESV Study Bible
6
Victor O. Hamilton, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary ,”s.v.” 6.
7
ESB STUDY BIBLE
8
Charles Dyer and Eugene Merrill, ed. Roy B. Zuck Nelson’s Old Testament
Survey, (Nashville; Thomas Nelson),3.
9
Ibid.
10
ESV Study Bible, 40.
11
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (SDAC), REV. ED./ ED. Francis
D. Nichol ( Hangerstown MD: Review and Herald Publishing association, 1956 and 1980
), 204.
 Purpose

The very purpose of the book is being introduce by the name of the book itself, it
narrates the source, nature and reason for the beginning of all things, the books purpose is
not to provide and evidence the creation as historically and scientifically accurate and it
serve not as a handbook on geology, biology and any other but it deals on the records a
redemptive sacred history that reveals God redemptive power. For Genesis is a narration
of God’s relationship towards his people. It also provide the answers to the following
possible question of nation Israel Who are we? Where did we originated? Where are we
headed? What is God’s purposes for us in history and ages to come?12

Literary Analysis

The book of Genesis is gives the details and answers the question of the
beginning it is both history and science, and it provides the major descendants of Adam
and story of God’s people Israel. The whole book is divided into two major sections.
First, Primeval History. Second, Patriarchal History.however the first section still divided
into six subdivisions

1.God's creation and ordering of heaven and earth (1:1-2:3)

2.Earth's first people (2:4-4:26)
3.Adam's descendants (5:1-6:8)
4.Noah's descendants (6:9-9:29)
5.The descendants of Noah's sons (10:1-11:9)
Shem's descendants
Furthermore, Section three is still divided into two minor units
A.The family line from Adam to Noah (5:1-32)
B.The wickedness of humanity (6:1-8)
Moreover, this minor units can still be divided into minor subunits.
A. The man multiply born an daughters and the sons of God took them as their wives
(v.v. 1,2)
B. God said His spirit will not be with them and He limits man existence into 120
years (v.3)
C. The sons of God and the daughters of men bore children(v.4)
D. God saw the wickedness of men (v.5)
E. God regret and grieving for men’s wickedness (v.6)

12
Charles Dyer and Eugene Merrill, ed. Roy B. Zuck Nelson’s Old Testament
Survey,4.
 F. God’s word to blot out human and every creatures
Letter C is outlined below to further emphasis.

A the Nephilim were on earth in those days, then afterward.

B the Sons of God comes to the daughters of men

C they bore Children to them

D They were the mighty men who were of Old, the men of
renowned.

In the immediate context of the text talks about the wickedness of the earth,
which is outlined above from A to F where the three of them (D,E,F) is God’s response to
the wickedness of men, furthermore, the God’s response to the wickedness of men is
centered in letter C. Which Letter A is the description of the Niphilim existence, B is the
sons of God comes to the daughters of men and resulted in letter C of boring children that
become the mighty men and renowned which is D. perhaps this might the description
assigned to them who cause more wickedness in God’s sight.13

Lexical Analysis/Word Study

The phrase ‫ ּב ְֵנ֣י הָ ֽ ֱאֹל ִ֔הים‬is(Noun, common, masculine, plural, construct and ‫הָ ֽאֱ ֹל ִ֔הים‬
is Noun, common, masculine, plural, absolute with article ) found 4 times in the original
language and twice in Genesis in chapter 6:2, 4 and twice in Job 1:6, Job 2:1 and six
times in English translation the four is the same with Hebrew occurrences and in English
two is added v. 38:7 of Job and psalm 38:9 14 The four verse mention all is found is
Moses literary, and Moses use used it similar emphasis, the first mentioned of it is in
Genesis 6:2 which describing the sons of God saw the daughter of man and second when
they finally come and bore children with them, all translations translated the same, and
two uses of it in Job 1:6 and 2:1 which still denotes similar uses and emphasis theses
verses “the son of God came to present themselves before God.15 However thought they
are almost similar uses, the used of it in Genesis is reference to a negative side, which
contrast to the use in Job and psalm are bound to positive use. Moreover, the use of
Phrase sons of God in Genesis 6:4 can be different from the it’s uses in some other
books, it might be refers to the sinful human being who was grate in earthly bases, since

13
The outline above is taken from the ESV study Bible.
14
Holladay, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of Old Testament (HOL)
15
In NIV translation they translated it as “the angel of God”
the immediate context of these phrase “sons of God” is bound to punishment. Hence, they
might be understood as belong to the fallen human being.

Grammar and Syntax

The whole verse of Genesis 6:4 are compose of three major clauses, it being
elaborated above. The phrase “ ֙‫ ּב ְֵנ֤י הָ ֽ ֱאֹלהִים‬is belong to the second clause and function as
the subject in the a clause taking ‫ י ָ֜ב ֹאּו‬as the verb ‫ י ָ֜ב ֹאּו‬as an accusative, the phrase “ ‫ּב ְֵנ֤י‬
֙‫ ָהֽ ֱאֹלהִים‬in Hebrew construct it is Genitive and possessive in its syntactical use. Means
the sons is possessed by God. However, the phrase “son of God” has a close connection
with the nephilim mentioned in the first clause. Additionally, though the phrase has
similarity with the other text it can be understood that its meaning will be in the context
its immediate AND grammatical context.16

Biblical Context

The whole chapter six of Genesis deals about the wickedness of the human being,
this chapter can be divided into two categories. First, the increasing corruption on earth.
Second, the punishment of God through the flood during the time of Noah. The phrase
sons of God” is interconnected with the proper name “Nephilim” in the first clause of the
verse which give a negative connotation which is even highlighted in the whole chapter
six as the cause of sin as described in the immediate context from v. 1-8. Looking at the
whole chapter it reveals that the studied verse stand as the root of wickedness I such
generation that can be understood as a result of sin of the fallen human being.
Furthermore, relating to the wider context of Genesis it can be understood in
relation to the theme of the book, that Genesis’s content is creation, punishment of
sin(flood), and recreation the in the wider context it reveals the entrance of sin from the
fall of human is even become more worse that made God sent the flood.Further, the
Nephilim, Sons of God, and daughters of man, as describe as the subject of sin in Chapter
six is no other than the descendants of Adam and Eve as the result of entrance of sin.
Moreover the phrase “sons of God” is understood as fallen human being who might be
belong to a different level of status who are the descendants of Adam and Eve as will
understood in the wider context of Genesis.17

16
Bruce K. Waltke and M. O’Conor, Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Eisenbrauns:
Winona Lake, Indiana 1990),136.
17
This study also supported by the Seventh-day Adventist scholars according to their
commentary “the son of God were no other than the descendants of Seth, and the
daughters of men are the goddess of the Canaanites” further later God called the
Israelites as “first born” (Ex. 4:22) and Moses called them “children of the Lord your
God” (Deut. 14:1). General Conference of the Seventh-DayAdventist, The Seventh-day
 Theological Implication

The study implies and supported the doctrine of God, Doctrine of Sin, and
Soteriology. in the study discussed above it implies God who has the authority over His
creature particularly on dealing the fallen human being, as reveals in the in the context
God reveals His authority over the power sin by sending the flood as the consequences of
human wickedness. By sending the flood as being record in Genesis God’s reveals His
marvelous plan of salvation the flood gives an eschatological of what will be the final
consequences of the world when human being continues sinning, thus, the flood Imply
God’s warning to the people from generation to generation, though it provides the
everyone a call for repentance that despite of God’s wrath over sin the His grace will still
abound as evidenced in the life of Noah with his family. Moreover, the study provided
and emphasis of the seriousness of sin thus no can eradicate except God Himself.

Application

Study reveals to us that sin is a serious matter people in the past which was
addressed as “son of God” are people who yielded so much in sin. Which was resulted of
God sending flood, this means God even before did not tolerated the existence of sin God
will bring it to an end. God is trying to communicate His people from Generation to
generation that sin is a serious matter and He will bring it to an end together with sinners
as being portrayed in Genesis But God has always a place for those faithful to him, as
Noah was being saved by God the with the eschatological end of sin God’s day.

Conclusion

The phrase “sons of God” is understood in the context of Genesis is refers to no

other than the descendants of Adam and Eves as being portrayed by the author he is
trying to emphasize the seriousness of the result of the entrance of sin to the world. “sons
of God “ in General is related into heavenly being as what Moses emphasize in the nook

Adventist Bible Commentary (SDAC), REV. ED./ ED. Francis D. Nichol

( Hangerstown MD: Review and Herald Publishing association, 1956 and 1980 )
of Job, in form yes the similarity but in their own context they have their own meaning
the “the son of God” is refers to the human being as some commentators say they were
those who belong to the high level of status who marry the common people which can be
incaptulize as human sinful being which different meaning with which is found in Job.
Thus God sent the flood to the word logically because it was the sin of the world not by
any kinds of above being. Thus, the book of Genesis serves as warning to world today
who continue in sinning, that will not send a flood anymore but He will going to end up
sin together with its author and together those who live with it in His coming.18

Bibliography

Barker , KennethL. & Kohlenberger III , John.NIV Bible Commentary ,( Grand Rapids’
MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994)

ESV study Bible

Dyer , Charles and Merrill, Eugene. ed. Roy B. Zuck Nelson’s Old Testament Survey,
(Nashville; Thomas Nelson)

Gerhard, Prand L. Interpreting Scripture, (Silver Spring,MD: General Conference of

18
in other commentary united in there idea that the “son of God” does not refers
to the Angels because its contradict to Mathew 22:30 “the common accepted view is that
the “sons of God “refers to the golly line of Seth.” KennethL. Barker & John
Kohlenberger III, NIV Bible Commentary ,( Grand Rapids’ MI: Zondervan Publishing
House, 1994),15. Furthermore , if angel the angels are the vellains then whyis God
anger directed to humans? See; Hamilton, Victor O. The Baker Illustrated Bible
Commentary, 17. See also Prand L. Gerhard, Interpreting Scripture, (Silver Spring,MD:
General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist, 2010) ,136.
 Seventh-Day Adventist, 2010) ,136.

Hamilton, Victor O. The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary , ed. Gary M. Burge and
Hill , AndrewE. (Grand Rapids ,MI: Baker Publishing )

Holladay, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of Old Testament (HOL)

Waltke, Bruce K. and O’Conor M. Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Eisenbrauns: Winona Lake,
sIndiana 1990).136.

Willmington, Harold L. Outline Bible (Wheaton,USA: Tyndale House Publisher, Inc.),6.

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (SDAC), REV. ED./ ED. Francis D. Nichol
( Hangerstown MD: Review and Herald Publishing association, 1956 and 1980 )