We have seen it is often necessary to combine scriptural interpretation techniques to come to a fuller understanding.

In studying Genesis 6:4 our primary tool will be scripture development, but we will also need to look up the Biblical use of certain words and phrases.

It is indeed excellent, a manifestation of God's grace that we have the priviledge of even serving Jesus Christ. It is simply astounding that this service primarily consists of simply accepting the truth concerning God, and the truth concerning His son Jesus Christ, and living accordingly.

It is simply awesome to understand that the mightiest living entity ever (and always) in existence has created us to fellowship with Him.

It is also incredible to realize that, thanks to the revelations of the "Church Epistles," (The post-Ascension Bible books written to the Body of Christ) we do not have to be ignorant of spiritual matters. How easy it is to sift the "flour" of Old Testament, Gospel , Church, and Apocalyptic revelation through the filter of the revelation of "the things that are freely given to us of God,

"...comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

But how easy it is to forget to do this!

Remember how it is written, that the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned?

In this context came the great truth that while we now have a terrestrial body; in the future we shall have a spiritual.

Now the seed via which we reproduce therefore is carnal. But then?

Then we shall be as the angels of God, neither marrying, or given in marriage. Why? Because, the earth will be filled, and the purpose of God in human procreation fulfilled.

What is the purpose of God?

God Himself demanded of Job,

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth," of "eden," of paradise?

...who laid the corner stone thereof,

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Job 38:4b & 6b-7

The corner stone? What IS the cornerstone of Paradise?

Man.

Just as the man Jesus is corner stone for the church, MAN is the cornerstone of paradise, Jesus himself being chief.

As it is even today said, God made the heavens for earth, earth for man, and man for himself.

Man was not present for the laying of eden. He was, however, present for the promise of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone, in whom all the sons of God to this day rejoice.

And after his creation, Man was given three responsibilities above his duty to love God, three "jobs."

1) "Don't eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

2) "Dress and keep the garden."

3) "Replenish the earth."

(Gen. 2:17; 2:15, 1:28; 1:27-28)

When woman was given the promise of a seed for mankind, the "laying of the corner," (Gen. 3:15) Adam could rejoice. When new generations were given additional details, as this "corner" was laid, the people, the sons of God, rejoiced, along with the morning stars, God's spirits, which watched this unfold.

It looked at one time like the promise would not come to pass, that God's Word was going to fail.

Man failed at two of his responsibilities. He had eaten that which he was told not to, which foiled his ability to fellowship perfectly with God. This led to his expulsion from the garden he was to tend, and while he was still to tend the earth, it was no longer in harmony.

But although not in its intended fullness, he could perform the third, "replenish the earth."

The effect of this duty is explained in Gen 5:1 " This is the book of the generations of Adam." The standard of how Man accomplished this was revealed in verse three, "and begat in his own likeness, after his image."

After his image. Today we would say, "according to the parent's DNA."

What was the image of Adam? Was it the image of God? No, that part of Adam "in the day he ate thereof" died. I Corinthians, regarding the revelation of spiritual matters, tells us it was "earthy." "Terrestrial," not "celestial." And that, in the pattern God created, "after his kind, with the seed in itself."

As much as the first part of Genesis deals with the failure of man's first two responsibilities, this section of Genesis deals with his struggle to "replenish" the earth: procreation of man.

Man procreates how? Right. Through intercourse, impregnation and conception, and gestation of immature young. Therefore, man's failures in this section deal primarily with failures of this nature.

And he procreates "after his kind." Even chimpanzees, having only 2% difference of genetic material, cannot procreate with man. It is "after its kind," and the "kind" of man is terrestrial.

(When man's nature after Judgment becomes celestial, it will be as "the angels in heaven, neither marrying or given in marriage," which will involve no ability to reproduce, for we will have no need to "replenish the earth.")

Notice the "Ands" which connect all the following verses to Gen. 6:1. It connects ALL the activity to that last verse, using a figure of speech called “anaphora,” starting all the parts of a list with the same word.

There are actually several figures of speech connecting this entire section, including anaphora and parallel lines, but we in this study will concentrate anaphora and on a specific "A-B" literary structure, what is called a “complex extended alternation” of parallellines that will bring us to the conclusion to the matter.

("A-B" simply means a word or phrase dealing with one subject or idea, then a word or phrase dealing with a relative but different subject or idea, and then alternately repeating it one or more times in succession.)

Gen. 5:2: "male (A) and female (B) created he them."

“Male” and “female,” afterward replaced with the similar “sons” and “daughters,” are the nouns of our complex alternation of parallel lines. “Sons” and “daughters” are the nouns of our “complex extended alternation.”

Remember, what this means simply is that God is putting extreme emphasis on this, and He would very much like us to get it right.

We continue with the form of this account:

5:4: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:7: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:13: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:16: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:19: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:22: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:26: "and begat sons (A) and daughters. (B)"

5:30: "sons (A) and daughters (B)."

The next verse, 6:1, will conclude the thought connected by the "Ands".

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

All the figurative elements are brought together here in verse 1. The continued "And" of the series anaphora is here. The A-B parallel line structure of the subjects "sons" and "daughters" is still present. The significance of man's third responsibility, to replenish the earth, is still here.

The next verse makes the point.

6:2: "That the sons of God (A) saw the daughters of men (B) that they were fair, and they took them wives of all which they chose."

These sons, (A), and these daughters, (B), who were they? Since we have the A-B figure, it is the same general people throughout.

These "sons" are the same as the sons of Adam in 5:4, and of Enos in 5:10, so on down the line. It is one chain of thoughts here, not a collection of esoteric messages. This is a concise listing and explanation of the "generations of Adam," Adam whose sons are, as he was, referred to as “sons of God.”

Why are they called the sons of God?

Because they were progeny of he who was created "in the image of God." Of course, this is Adam. Genesis 5:1, remember. The context, Genesis, tells me this. I don't have to guess or search elsewhere. While Adam died spiritually, he still a son of God by creation (not begotten,) and so his sons were referred to likewise.

The context, Genesis, reveals all of these things as well. I don't have to guess or try to read into it. Eve was made as a helpmate, a partner, for Adam. This was the only given standard. Her daughters were who? The daughters of men.

Lets continue, having seen just who these sons are and understanding that these daughters were also the daughters of chapter 5, and indeed all were the sons and daughters of the sons and daughters.

6:3:" And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."

Hold on. God is angry. Why? All it said is that people went about replenishing the earth like He said to, right? Why is He then angry?

Because man is blowing his third "job."

How? And why is his error so great as to bring upon him wrath?

We are dealing with the sons of God. These were people still very close to the dawn of creation, close in generations to  he who was made "in God's image." Their genetic makeup was not as contaminated as it would some day be.

These were beautiful and attractive men, healthy and vibrant. They were "hunks," personable, having everything going for them, and they had decades in which to develop their charms, for they were long lived.

The women were "daughters of men," not just any men but these sons of God, and they were "fair." Same thing here, they were gorgeous, the lot of them.

THEN, it said, "they took them wives of all which they chose."

God is mad for this? This is why he will not strive? There is more than the English translation would have us believe. The word "wives" is the generic word for "women" in the text; these men took for women "all" of which they choose.

It does not say, "this man chose this woman, that man chose that woman, and they paired off." Nor does it say “one of whom they chose.”

No, it says “all.”

They would choose this one today, that one tomorrow. It was nothing more than promiscuous fornication, not at all in the order that God had set up.

THEREFORE, "My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh."

For corrupting the final task he was given to do, for this God was "angry" with man! Why?

Because people are hurt by the sin of others. Not only the sinner, even those around them reap ill. God's plan for Man, and thus the ability of Man to live rightly, was botched.

6:4: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of reknown."

Giants. Big, tall people? Yes, but I don't believe that tells the entire story. The "giants" were, in Hebrew, "nephilim," a word from the root "nephal" that means "fallen ones" or "fallen." Fallen how?

Some say it is fallen angels. I don't believe it can be handled that way, by guessing or searching high and low for a hint of a hidden meaning. When we find the meaning, we will be astounded at how clearly it will fit into the context.

I believe that the key is in the word "nephilim." The root for "nephilim" is the same as for a word translated "abomination," and also for a word translated "concubine."

"Nephal," root of "piggul," is translated once "abomination," and "pilegesh" is translated "concubine" 36 times and "paramour" once.

"Fallen to evil of a sexual nature," perhaps, and whether "giants" are "spirits which influence to sexual deviancy," or "men who are prone to such," you judge. I would guess the latter, because the phrase "after that" connotes they weren't always here with man, while Lucifer's follower spirits seem to have been.

Regardless, there were giants, and the sons of God were men which came in unto the daughters of men, and caused them to bare children. It does NOT say that the "nephilim" did that to them, but MEN who were called "sons of God."

The children born to these promiscuous unions, the conclusion of the "A-B" sequence that tells of the "replinishing" of the earth, are these mighty men. They became mighty men, men of renown. Giants. Nephilim.

They were men, men coming from "seed" after their own "likeness" (1:11, 1:24, 5:3) There is no indication they were more or less than the offspring of fallen men, pure and simple. For them to be would contradict the pattern of Genesis and the truths of Matthew 22 and I Corinthians 15.

Remember, angels are not given to marriage. Why?

They are not made for procreation.

“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

“Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

“Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

“Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

“And last of all the woman died also.

“Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matt. 22:23-30

When those resurrected have new bodies, they will be like the angels, not marrying, not given in marriage.

Scripturally, “marrying and given in marriage” is not a legal arrangement, it is not a social arrangement. It is a man “taking” a woman, a woman “taking” a wife, sealed by the act of carnal union.

Angels do not do this.

Even if they were to “manifest in flesh” and engage in carnal unions, look at 1 Corinthians:

“The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:47-53

The first man, Adam, is of the earth, the second man of heaven. When dealing with the issues related to procreation (and keeping God’s command) in the earthly, and related to the resurrection, this is important to remember.

Those that are earthy, such as those who procreate, are earthy. Those who are heavenly, who are spiritual, do not procreate the same way.

“Be fruitful, and multiply” was to a man of both earth and heaven, before the fall.

But after the Fall, Adam was dead spiritually, he had died when sin entered by his work.

Now Adam, and his children, are earthy, and it is these earthy children Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 15.

Look at all the trouble God Himself had to go through to build Himself a family based on the incorruptible seed, pnuema hagion.

Luke records the account of Matthew 22 a little differently.

This does not mean either account is erroneous. Often in Scripture not all of the conversation or events of a situation are recorded, indeed, that would take a book to large to carry.

Rather, one account may contain part of the account, some, other parts.

For example, two malefactors, two “kagorgai,” were led and crucified at the same time as Jesus, and one railed at him, mocking. But the other kagorgi was repentant, and Jesus said that he would be with him in Paradise.

Not in Heaven, but Paradise.

Later, after the placard with his accusation was nailed to his cross, two robbers, two “lestoi,” were then crucified with him. Both of these lestoi mocked Jesus.

Confusion has arisen because these two lestoi are confused with the two kagorgi.

So when Luke has a slightly different translation of the account of the parable of the woman with the seven husbands, some think there was a contradiction in the Bible.

There is not. It is a failure of transcription, translation, or our understanding, and we will see Luke actually simply adds new information.

“But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

“Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:35-36

Equal to angels, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. Furthermore, they are children of God, being the children of the resurrection!

Adam was son of God by creation. But in the resurrection, something special happens. Men are no longer referred to as sons because of their relation to Adam, they are called sons by something that occurs during the resurrection!

Understanding this simple concept, that there is a gap between carnal procreation and the spiritual, we continue.

"Mighty" simply means trained and adept in the art of war, "gibbor." "Mighty" in scriptures means "a well trained man for war."

They were violent men. Look in our cultures today. In cultures where promiscuity and sexual wickedness is the context, rather than a stable family, violence is the norm. The children arise violently. It is true there is no new thing "under the sun," i.e., spontaneous to the Earth and to man.

"Renown" simply means a culture of celebrity. Seem familiar?

Therefore, because of this culture of promiscuity, violence and celebrity, God was able to look around and see "great wickedness," to the point He "repented" that He had even made man!

Simply, this is the chronicle of man's failure to adhere to God's will because of his lust and greed. He refused to replenish the earth in the way God had willed for him and designed for him. It was, as the saying goes, "strike three." Man struck out, as revealed by the account of the Flood that will follow.

There is no mystery as to whom these mighty men were. They were the sons and daughters of men and woman given to great promiscuity, violence, and the “worship” of celebrity.

It is indeed a phenomenon of grace that the Bible has remained together as long as it has. It seems more remarkable that even when Christians disagree on details, so many of us can agree on certain "primary" truths. That God created all things, that He sent Jesus Christ as a payment for our sins, that He rose Jesus from the dead, and that Jesus is our risen Lord, attending to the "function" of his people.

Nevertheless, we are to strive to speak the same thing, and we are to strive to keep doctrinal differences minimal. It is, after all, "one faith."

God bless you. May you continue to seek truth in the pages of its revealing, and may God continue to keep your hearts tender.

And remember to try understanding difficult sections of scripture according to Biblical usage and in their greater context.

May we remain in His Grace, true to His commands.

Go To: Study Nine

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