Who are the “sons of God” spoken of in Genesis 6? Part 1

Some believe that the term “sons of God” refers to extraterrestrial invaders. These supposed fallen angels or aliens from space took human females as wives and produced offspring. They rationalize this belief by saying that the progeny produced by these unions were “giants” (v. 4). They believe these unholy unions were ultimately responsible for the increased wickedness of man.

On the surface, this might seem to be a reasonable explanation of Scripture. Fortunately, we can clear up any confusion on the “sons of God” quite easily by gathering more information from the Bible. The King James, for instance, uses the term “sons of God” 11 times in two primary ways. However, it never uses the term to refer to an angelic being.

Notice this: “He who makes his angels spirits …” (Psalms 104:4). Angels are spirits; they are not flesh. They are all around us now, but we cannot see them. They generally remain in their spirit form and have no physical integration in our world—they don’t go to school, get jobs, or raise families. They are here to “minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

Even if they wanted to marry and have babies, they couldn’t; they don’t have human DNA. It would be easier for a jellyfish to marry a mountain goat than for angels to marry people. Thus, it doesn’t make practical sense to believe that this passage in Genesis refers to the marriage of angels, fallen or holy, to humans.

Angels are not born; they are created. Moreover, Jesus tells us plainly that angels do not marry. Marriage is a uniquely human institution, reserved for mankind (Matthew 22:30 and Luke 20:36). Jesus makes a distinction between angels and sons of God. They are classified separately, which means they are not the same thing. So if the sons of God are not angels, what are they? …

Key Bible Texts

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (Genesis 6:1 KJV)