What as a Christian or a Jew do you make of Genesis 6, V1-4?

Question

Does it mean that spacemen came travelling?
If not, WHAT does it mean?

Answer 1

i'll have to check that out!

Answer 2

What is generally translated as 'sons of god' and 'fallen ones' refer not to spacemen or 'fallen angels' but rather the ruling class. The hebrew word 'elohim', while a name of God, also refers to human kings and powerful people. For example, God refers to Moses as 'elohim' in Exodus 7:1.

The geneologies given in Genesis are of the elite, both physically and spiritually, among mankind. The verses reflect that those in this austere line began to 'mix with the rabble' and take on the ways of common people. Thus they became the 'fallen ones'. Former spiritual Giants who now were no better than gutter spawn.

Answer 3

Check out this website. It has an interesting take on it.

http://www.ldolphin.org/nephilim.html

Given the translated verse, being,

"When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." (Genesis 6:1-4)"

I can see why you might think aliens came to earth - some think that the sons of god were angels. Whatever they were, you could also project that sons of god, being a direct link from god, could either be demi-gods (depending on who god procreated with) or that being full gods, they created a race of demi-god humans on earth.

This plays into Greek mythology in that it was believed that the Olympic gods came to earth and procreated with human women. So in this, ancient Greek mythology pre-dates this Genesis verse.

Given how much "borrowing" took place from the ancient myths, I personally think that perhaps this is the exact same case. This idea being borrowed from previous mythologies.

Now. If we in fact DO have a demi-god race of human beings, who might they be? Interesting question.

Answer 4

The Flood
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with [a] man forever, for he is mortal [b] ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

(see how in verse 4 it says, sons of God, went unto daughters of men.... sons of God are angels, daugthers of men... )

i dont see anything about spacemen, however nephilim were considered the offspring of fallen angels and humans and result was a giant-kin. much like that of Goliath. however if you want to use spacemen, it could be another defenition of fallen angels, as they are from outside the planet and came down to visit.

if you want more information on nephilim, theres a pretty good speech from guy named Chuck Missler and sermon called "The Nephili"

here is a google video of chuck missler...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4671494071289319646&q=chuck+missler+nephilim

Answer 5

I don't think it refers to spacemen but of another kind of being that lived on earth a long time ago. Giants or something...like those people in Greek/Roman mythology who were half-god and half-human, and who were the heroes of epics, etc.

Answer 6

What the heck version are you using?

1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with [a] man forever, for he is mortal [b] ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Answer 7

The Nephilim weren't spacemen, they were the fallen angels. They interbred with people and that's why we had to have the flood.

Answer 8

I've researched this myself and nobody seems able to answer it. some think it may be fallen angels. I'm hoping to buy this book by Adrian Plass called, 'blind spots in the bible,' which is about those difficult scriptures like that one. It's a new book so should be widely available, why don't you check it out too?

Answer 9

The sons of God here are referring to the patriarchs of old (Like Seth and his generations) and there sons who followed God commandments and the daughters of men are referring to the women belonging to the generations of Cain who went his way and turned against God. Remember the Bible says that the generations of Cain were evil.

Answer 10

Man's sin is the cause of the deluge. Noe is commanded to build the ark.

"The sons of God"... The descendants of Seth and Enos are here called sons of God from their religion and piety: whereas the ungodly race of Cain, who by their carnal affections lay grovelling upon the earth, are called the children of men. The unhappy consequence of the former marrying with the latter, ought to be a warning to Christians to be very circumspect in their marriages; and not to suffer themselves to be determined in their choice by their carnal passion, to the prejudice of virtue or religion.


"Giants"... It is likely the generality of men before the flood were of a gigantic stature in comparison with what men now are. But these here spoken of are called giants, as being not only tall in stature, but violent and savage in their dispositions, and mere monsters of cruelty and lust.

"His days shall be"... The meaning is, that man's days, which before the flood were usually 900 years, should now be reduced to 120 years. Or rather, that God would allow men this term of 120 years, for their repentance and conversion, before he would send the deluge.

Book Of Genesis
Chapter 6
1 And after that men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all which they chose. 3 And God said: My spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. 4 Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth children, these are the mighty men of old, men of renown. 5 And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth, and that all the thought of their heart was bent upon evil at all times,

Answer 11

No. They were demons who were able to dwell in heaven at the time, but who forsook their god-given place, because they were unnatrualy attracted to human women. Despite being spirit creatures, they had a physical outlook. This was in disobedience to God.