Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site mtuxn.UUCP
Path: utzoo!lsuc!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!mtuxo!mtuxn!4341del
From: 4341del@mtuxn.UUCP (D.LINDSAY)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.religion.christian,net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Genesis 6:1-4, A query regarding interpretation.
Message-ID: <698@mtuxn.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Feb-86 12:53:37 EST
Article-I.D.: mtuxn.698
Posted: Wed Feb 26 12:53:37 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Feb-86 20:55:50 EST
References: <686@well.UUCP>
Reply-To: 4341del@mtuxn.UUCP (01311-D.LINDSAY)
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 52
Xref: lsuc net.religion:733 net.religion.christian:362 net.religion.jewish:1868
Summary: 



In article <686@well.UUCP> espen@well.UUCP writes:
>
>
>	I would be interested in hearing (via mail or a reply posting to
>this net) about any information explaining how this passage is interpreted
>by biblical scholars or anyone else for that matter. Any info could help
>settle a friendly argument I had with a friend regarding this rather
>unclear and strange passage from Genesis.
>	Thanks!
>	Peter Espen


I assume that the problem deals with understanding who the "sons of God" are?
If so, then here is my explanation using other passages from the Bible
to illuminate the one in question.

The "sons of God" referenced in Genesis 6:1-4 are also referenced
with exactly the same phrase in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7.
These "sons of God" in Job clearly refer to supernatural beings in the
presence of God. It is also interesting to note that Satan appears along with 
these other beings with the implication that Satan may be a similar type being.

The supernatural attributes of these "sons of God" is also brought out
in the Septuagint (LXX) which was a translation of the Old Testament Hebrew
into Greek in the third century B.C. These "sons of God" references
(Gen. 6:2, Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7) are all translated as "angels" in the Greek LXX.

In addition, the Qumran Targum of Job (a translation/paraphrase of the Hebrew 
into Aramaic - like the Living Bible of today) also translates "sons of God" 
into "angels".

The Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6, as related to the offspring of the
"sons of God" and "daughters of men", can also be found in Numbers 13:33.
Some translations substitute the word "giants" as these persons were known 
to be (LXX translation). The Numbers 13:33 reference also associates the 
Nephilim with other giants, the "sons of Anak" or "Anakim" (see Num. 13:22,28).

Therefore, it can be concluded that:
	1. the "sons of God" were generally understood to be "angels";
	2. the Nephilim were identified as a form of fearsome giants.

If the Nephelim were offspring of the "sons of God" and "daughters of men",
as the Genesis text implies, then the conclusion can be made that angels 
"came in" (cohabit) with women to create a super race of giants in the days of
Noah prior to the flood. Although this interpretation may seem a bit way out 
to some, I believe that it is the only reasonable understanding of Genesis 6 
in the light of other relevant Scriptures.


In the LORD's Service,

Dave Lindsay