Sons of God: In the Old Testament:
- Genesis 6:2-4: The phrase “sons of God” first
appears in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 6:2-4) when it
refers to the “sons of God” taking human wives, leading to the
mysterious story of the Nephilim. This passage has been widely
interpreted in many ancient texts as referring to divine
beings or angels: > “that the sons of God
saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives
for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit
shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days
shall be one hundred and twenty years.’ There were giants on the earth
in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the
daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty
men who were of old, men of renown.” (Genesis 6:2-4, NKJV)
- This passage suggests that “sons of God” refers to angelic
beings or divine beings who interacted with
humans. Though debated, the traditional reading is that these “sons of
God” are angels who left their heavenly realm and took human wives.
- Job 1:6: The phrase “sons of God” is used in the
Book of Job (Job 1:6) when it refers to
heavenly beings presenting themselves before God: >
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves
before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6, NKJV)
- This passage refers to heavenly beings, often
understood as angels, who are presented before God. The
“sons of God” in this case refers to spiritual beings in God’s heavenly
court.
- Job 2:1: A similar passage can be found in
Job 2:1, where the “sons of God” are again depicted as
heavenly beings: > “Again there was a day when the sons of God came
to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to
present himself before the LORD.” (Job 2:1, NKJV)
- Once more, the “sons of God” are identified as heavenly
beings or angels who come before God.
- Job 38:7: In Job 38:7, during
God’s response to Job’s questions, the “sons of God” are depicted as
celebrating God’s creation: > “When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7, NKJV)
- This passage explicitly refers to angels or
heavenly beings as “sons of God” who rejoiced during
the creation of the world.
- Psalm 29:1: The phrase is used in Psalm
29:1, where God’s glory is recognized by the heavenly beings:
> “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory
and strength.” (Psalm 29:1, NKJV)
- Here, the “mighty ones” are sometimes understood as the “sons of
God,” again referring to angelic beings or divine
messengers who honor God.
- Psalm 89:6: The “sons of God” are also mentioned in
Psalm 89:6 in reference to divine beings: > “For who
in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the
mighty can be likened to the LORD?” (Psalm 89:6, NKJV)
- Again, this is a reference to heavenly beings,
often understood as angels.