Genesis 6

docx

School

Carolina College of Biblical Studies *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

Subject

Religion

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by puck2113

COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Primary Approaches to Genesis 6 Submitted to Dr. Dr. Lorie Lee, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of BIB 523 Interpreting the Bible II by Paul Bock 16 August 201

Introduction Over the centuries there has always been opposing views over most biblical subjects. The opening verses of Genesis 6 are no different than any other topic; and while it may be argued the verses are not as important as such matters as soteriology, the term “sons of God” has generated debate over the years as to who the “sons of God” refers. Out of the debate two primary interpretations posited by scholars emerge which the following will cover. Angel View Of the differing views on this passage, the interpretation that the phrase “sons of God” םיִה ֹלֱאָֽה־יֵנְב - BeneHaElohim refers to angels is the oldest held. 1 Under this view, it is believed fallen angels came down and bred with women. The angelic interpretation of this passage largely rests on the term BeneHaElohim translated sons of God. 2 The term occurs three times in Job (1:6; 2:1; 38:7) and each of these refers strictly to angels; also, other similar forms of the term are used in Daniel 3:25, Psalm 29:1, and Psalm 89:6 and each of these refer to angels. 3 Therefore, “there seems no reasonable doubt that, as far as the language itself is concerned, the intent of the author was to convey the thought of angels.” 4 : The subsequent point drawn from this view is the distinction between the term “Sons of God” and תֹונְב םָדָאָה ”Daughters of men”- Benot HaAdam. The Sons of God are direct creations of God in contrast to the women who are the progeny of Adam. 5 The idea of “sons of God” tied 1 John H. Sailhamer , “Commentary on Genesis 6:1-4 .” In Genesis-Leviticus, The Expositor's Bible Commentary , ed. Tremper Longman, III and David E. Garland, vol. 1, 13 vols. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), Olive Tree Bible Software. 2 Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2016), 165 3 Language is very important as it conveys the meaning which an author or speaker intends. Due to the fact that all uses of the term BeneHaElohim refer to angels there is nothing linguistically, nor expounded upon in Genesis 6 which would lead one to see a different use or interpretation than those of Job. 4 Ibid., 165 5 Chuck Missler, The Book of Genesis , (Coeur D'Alene, ID: Koinonia House, 2004), 137. 1

to direct creation of God is theorized to be echoed in the New Testament such as John 1:12 in which prior to belief in Christ a person is not a son of God but through the New Birth they are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and a son of God. Other New Testament passages which seem to confirm the angelic interpretation are Jude 1:6-7 and 2 Peter 2:4-5. The Jude passage speaks of the angels which left their habitation (οικητεριον- oikiterion) and are similar to Sodom and Gomorrah in that they went “after strange flesh”. 6 It must also be noted that the supernatural angelic view of the term “sons of God” was the connotation placed on the passage by the writers of the Septuagint, Josephus, writers of the apocryphal book of Enoch, ancient Jewish interpreters and early Christian writers. 7 Godly Lines of Seth The second most prominent view of this passage sees the first verses of Genesis 6 tied to chapter 5 rather than the events of Noah and the flood. 8 The focus of this view is on human rebellion rather than faithfulness which is played out with the “immoral union between the faithful line of Seth and the decadent line of Cain.” 9 The “sons of God” in the passage are identified as Sethites who intermarry with the “daughters of man” believed to be Canaanites. The issue is one of theological difference and righteousness. When the righteous Sethites intermixed with the unrighteous Canaanites it produced unrighteous progeny. 10 The history of this viewpoint can be traced to between the fourth and fifth century. Prior to this time the angel view had been the prevailing interpretation; however, when Celsus and 6 This word oikiterion is only used twice in the new testament. That from which the angels left, and that which the believer desires to put on (2 cor 5:2). 2 Peter 2:4-5 also supports this as it states God did not spare the angels nor the old world, but he did spare Noah, which ties them to the events which occurred. 7 Morris, The Genesis, 166. 8 Sailhamer, Commentary on Genesis 6:1-4, Olive Tree Bible Software 9 Bill T. Arnold, and Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: a Christian Survey , (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015), 84. 10 J. D. Greene, Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality , (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 2003), 76. 2

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Julian the Apostate used this traditional view as an opportunity to attack Christianity, Julius Africanus developed the Sethite view. 11 Cyril of Alexandria then used this the godly lines of Seth position to abandon the historical angelic interpretation; 12 afterwards, Augustine accepted the position and it dominated through the middle ages and is taught today. 13 There are glaring issues which arise from this view which Dr. Chuck Missler, Henry Morris, and H. C. Leupold point out. Leupold asserts the popularity of the Sethite view is due to the choice between it and the Angel view. 14 As discussed in the Angel view section, the only use of the term BeneHaElohim occurs in reference to angels and there is no literary support for the Sethite view. Missler gives the following list as to why there is no textual support for the view: 1. “Son’s of God” is never used in reference to followers of YHVH or Elohim in the Old Testament 2. Seth is never called God, nor is Cain ever called Adam 3. Only Enoch, Noah and his family were spared; thus, the Sethites perished along with all humanity 4. Enosh, the son of Seth, initiated the defiance of God: “then men began to profane the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 4:26) as cited in the Targum of Onkelos, Targum of Jonathan, Kimchi, Rashi, et al.; Jerome; Maimonides, Commentary on the Mishnah, 1168 A.D. 5. The Sethite interpretation does not account for the unnatural offspring 15 11 Missler, The Book of Genesis, 137. 12 Ibid., 137 13 Morris, The Genesis Record , 166. 14 H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Genesis, (Grand Rapids: Baker House, 1950), 258. In summary, Leupold purports the issue for many is that the angels creating offspring with humans is so outside the human experience (especially today with atheistic humanism prevailing) that they simply cannot grasp such a thing. 15 Missler, The Book of Genesis, 138. 3

Conclusion The above viewpoints presented state the two primary views of Genesis 6:1-2. As with anything in scripture, what one posits another will oppose and the term “Sons of God” in Genesis 6 finds no reprieve from biblical debate. Ultimately, the question any student of the Bible must ask is what does the whole counsel of God support, and what views does it not establish? Bibliography Arnold, Bill T., and Bryan Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: a Christian Survey . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015. Greene, J. D. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality . Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 2003. Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1950. Missler, Chuck. The Books of Genesis . Coeur D’Alene, ID: Koinonia House 2009. 4

Morris, Henry M. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings . Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2009. Sailhamer, John H. “Commentary on Genesis .” In Genesis-Leviticus. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Edited by Tremper Longman, III and David E. Garland. Vol. 2. 13 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Olive Tree Bible Software. 5

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Genesis 6

Related Documents