
Introduction
There are many who believe that the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:1–4 were angels that took human women and bore the Nephilim. We will look at the scriptures and try to prove that this belief is false. We will also use some science to help back our position. Here are the points we will cover. One, we will see what the "sons of God" were. Two, what Jesus taught about angels and marriage. Three, we will discuss marriage and procreation as humans. Four, we will look at why biologically angels couldn't do this. Five, the difference between an angel appearing in human form and actually having a body. Six, we will talk about blood and life. Then we will conclude.
One, Who Were the Sons of God?
Many people jump to the idea that the sons of God were angels because of that term. Yes, angels can be referred to as sons of God1 but that is not the only time that term is used. Israel were called "the children of the LORD your God".2 The children of God were also called sons of the living God. What we need to look at is the context of the scripture. As we read in Genesis 6 we see that the sons of God took human women. There is no mention of them having a body or ability to reproduce.
What better fits this passage is that the sons of God were the descendants of Seth. We know that after Cain killed Abel the Lord planted a seed in the earth. It says "then began men to call upon the name of the LORD".3 This shows that the children of God began with Seth. So when we read about the sons of God taking human women we can safely assume that they were having relations with women that weren't of the Lord. Which led to many problems in that time.
As you can see this theory allows us to keep the story in sequence and doesn't force us to believe that angels can do something they weren't created to do. Also the scripture states that they took them wives. Which leads us to the next point about Jesus and marriage.
Two, What Did Jesus Teach About Angels and Marriage?
Jesus wasn't just talking about how we won't be married when we get to heaven. He made a comparison here. Angels don't marry. There is no mention of angels marrying or having sexual relations in the Bible. If someone would object to this and say well Jesus was only talking about the holy angels. Well we know that angels didn't marry because they are holy. But they aren't able to because that is not in their nature. We know that angels are spirits.4 Nowhere does it say that they reproduce or increase in number. They all were created by God and that's it. Just because an angel fell doesn't mean they gained something they weren't created with.
In Luke Jesus explains why.
Notice how he correlates them with not dying. Angels cannot die so they don't need to reproduce in order to keep their kind going.
Three, Marriage Was Made for Humans
The woman was created for the man.5 Not only for companionship but to create more humans. This is something that humans are biologically made to do. When God created man and woman he gave them the ability to procreate. He did this for 3 reasons.
- To have companionship: "It is not good that the man should be alone."6
- To procreate: "Be fruitful, and multiply."7
- To be an example of Christ and his bride.8
None of these apply to angels. Angels have no need for companionship; they are in God's presence. They do not procreate because they can't die. They are not meant to be redeemed; they are either good or evil.9 As humans we are created to have sexual relations because we are bodies with souls. Which is what allows us to have children. Angels don't have that ability.
Four, Why Angels Couldn't Do This Biologically
There is another problem with this theory. Life is created from DNA. DNA is what tells us who we are physically. All sexual relations have to do with DNA. So where would the angel get DNA from? Do angels have DNA? If they did they would have to have 23 chromosomes to give to their children. They would also have to be carbon-based life. Which angels aren't. God "maketh his angels spirits" and they are "ministering spirits".10 They don't even have flesh and bones.11
When you look at how reproduction works in humans you realize how impossible this theory is. There are billions of bases of information in our DNA. There are many things that have to happen in order to create life. The DNA has to be correct from both parents. The cells have to divide correctly. Both parties have to be able to produce sperm and eggs. The cells have to be able to copy DNA and fix errors. So how could angels participate in this process?
Another problem with this theory is that animals can only breed with their own kind. Well, some animals can breed with other animals and create offspring. But most of the time they aren't able to reproduce themselves. An angel breeding with a human would be crossing two different species.
Five, Angels Appearing in Human Form Doesn't Mean They Have Bodies
We know that angels have appeared to humans as humans. Genesis 18 is a good example of this. But we have to differentiate between incarnation and angelic appearance. When Jesus was incarnated he became a human. He had a human body and was born like all other humans. He was:
- Lasting. He didn't give up his human nature after he finished what he came to do.
- He had a body. And the Spirit that lived in him was God.
- He acted like a human. He got hungry and thirsty. He suffered and died. Death is when the spirit leaves the body.12
- He was born. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a woman.13
When angels appear in human form they only do so when they need to. They don't always appear the same way. They don't have a body or ability to reproduce. They appear in human form to talk to us. So that we can understand them and know that God is with us. They can also appear to protect us or judge others.
Six, Blood and Life
Another scripture that backs up our position is about blood.
Only man's blood could pay for man's sins. Animals could cover sins for a short period of time.14 Which is why Jesus had to be "made of a woman".15 "In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren".16 Jesus didn't just appear to be a man; he actually became one.17
Jesus had to be a man to save us. He had to become the second Adam.18 Suffer death for our sins. Become a perfect sacrifice. And feel what we go through by being limited like we are.19 Angels can't do any of these things because they aren't human. They have no blood and can't die.20 Blood comes from your parents. So how could angels create children?
Conclusion: God Created the Woman for the Man
As we have seen angels can't marry. They can't reproduce. They don't have blood or DNA. God created man and woman to have sexual relations. There are many scriptures that contradict the angel theory. We would have to go against what Jesus taught us. Assume that angels have the ability to do something that isn't taught in the Bible. Take away from the meaning of Jesus becoming a man. Ask if it was fair for God to send the flood if angels caused it. Take away from humans' ability to have sex. And believe something that isn't taught in the Bible.
I think this theory also feeds off of people wanting to believe that angels did something wrong. Instead of looking at the passage and seeing that men did. It also causes confusion to people about what angels can and can't do.
So we can safely say that the sons of God were not angels. They were probably men of the line of Seth. Who decided to turn away from what was right and started taking women for their beauty. Causing more problems in that time. Which led to the flood. Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh.21 To give us life through his blood.
Can angels do this? No. But did the scripture say they did? No.
Let God be true and every man a liar.22
Angels don't procreate. They minister.
Notes
- Job 1:6; Job 38:7. ↩
- Deuteronomy 14:1; Hosea 1:10. ↩
- Genesis 4:26. ↩
- Hebrews 1:14. ↩
- 1 Corinthians 11:9. ↩
- Genesis 2:18. ↩
- Genesis 1:28. ↩
- Ephesians 5:31–32. ↩
- 1 Timothy 5:21; Jude 6. ↩
- Hebrews 1:7, 14. ↩
- Luke 24:39. ↩
- James 2:26. ↩
- Matthew 1:20; Galatians 4:4; Luke 3:23–38. ↩
- Hebrews 10:4. ↩
- Galatians 4:4. ↩
- Hebrews 2:17. ↩
- 1 Timothy 3:16. ↩
- 1 Corinthians 15:45. ↩
- Hebrews 4:15. ↩
- Luke 20:36. ↩
- Romans 8:3. ↩
- Romans 3:4. ↩