The phrase "Sons of God Daughters of Men" refers to a brief, enigmatic passage in Genesis 6:1-4 of the Bible, describing unions that occurred before the Great Flood, leading to widespread wickedness on Earth. While interpretations vary, it fundamentally points to an unholy alliance or corruption of humanity.
Diverse Interpretations of "Sons of God Daughters of Men"
The meaning of "Sons of God Daughters of Men" is one of the most debated topics in biblical scholarship, with three primary interpretations attempting to explain the identity of these groups and the nature of their unions.
The Sethite View: A Spiritual Divide
This interpretation suggests that the "sons of God" were the descendants of Seth, the righteous and godly child of Adam and Eve. Seth's lineage, according to this view, maintained a spiritual separation from the rest of humanity, calling upon the name of the Lord. The "daughters of men," conversely, were the descendants of Cain, who were characterized by their wickedness and rebellion against God.
In this understanding, what occurred was intermarriage across distinct tribal and spiritual lines. The godly line of Seth began to intermingle with the ungodly line of Cain, leading to a spiritual compromise and a widespread decline in morality. This mixing of believers and non-believers, or the "church" and the "world," contributed to the pervasive corruption that grieved God and ultimately led to the Flood. This perspective emphasizes a human-to-human interaction with profound spiritual consequences.
The Angelic View: Fallen Beings and Human Women
Perhaps the most dramatic and widely discussed interpretation is that the "sons of God" (Hebrew: b'nei ha'elohim) were fallen angels or demonic beings who descended to Earth. These supernatural entities are believed to have taken human women as their wives, producing offspring known as the Nephilim (often translated as "giants" or "mighty ones").
This view posits a literal cohabitation between divine or semi-divine beings and humanity, resulting in hybrid offspring. Supporters often point to parallels in ancient Near Eastern mythology and extra-biblical texts like the Book of Enoch. The sin described here would be an extreme violation of natural order, contributing significantly to the wickedness that prompted God's judgment.
The Royal/Tyrant View: Powerful Rulers and Commoners
A less common but notable interpretation suggests that the "sons of God" were powerful human rulers, kings, or tyrants who saw themselves as divine or divinely appointed. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often claimed divine lineage or special favor from the gods. The "daughters of men" would then simply refer to common women.
In this view, the sin was the abuse of power: these autocratic rulers took women at will, asserting their dominance and creating oppressive dynasties. The "mighty men" or "men of renown" (Nephilim) would be powerful, perhaps tyrannical, offspring of these politically advantageous or coercive unions. This interpretation highlights human hubris, tyranny, and social injustice as key factors in the pre-Flood corruption.
Context in Genesis 6: The Prelude to the Great Flood
The account of the "Sons of God Daughters of Men" immediately precedes God's decision to bring the Great Flood to cleanse the Earth. Genesis 6:5 states: "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." The unions described in verses 1-4 are presented as a significant contributing factor to this pervasive wickedness, signaling a catastrophic moral and spiritual breakdown among humanity.
Comparing the Interpretations
Understanding these different perspectives helps illuminate the complexity of this biblical passage:
| Interpretation | "Sons of God" | "Daughters of Men" | Outcome/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sethite View | Descendants of godly Seth | Descendants of wicked Cain | Intermarriage across spiritual/tribal lines |
| Angelic View | Fallen angels/demonic beings | Human women | Birth of Nephilim (giants), increased wickedness |
| Royal/Tyrant View | Powerful human rulers/tyrants | Common women | Abuse of power, forming oppressive dynasties |
For a deeper dive into these interpretations, you can explore resources like GotQuestions.org's article on "Sons of God Daughters of Men".
Why These Interpretations Matter
The interpretation chosen has significant theological implications regarding the nature of evil, the origins of giants, the extent of pre-Flood corruption, and the consequences of spiritual compromise. Regardless of the specific identity assigned to "Sons of God" and "Daughters of Men," the text consistently points to a profound act of disobedience or corruption that greatly displeased God and accelerated humanity's descent into depravity.
