The interpretation of "sons of God" in Genesis 6:1–4 as fallen Watchers is a significant theological and scholarly discussion, often linked to the apocryphal Book of Enoch and other ancient texts. While the Bible itself does not explicitly define "sons of God" in this passage, various interpretations have emerged over centuries.

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The view that the "sons of God" (Hebrew: b'nei ha'elohim) in Genesis 6:1–4 refers to fallen angels, specifically the Watchers, is a prominent interpretation, particularly within intertestamental literature and some early Jewish and Christian traditions. This perspective posits that these divine beings descended to Earth, took human wives, and produced offspring known as the Nephilim (giants).[1] [2] The Book of Enoch, a non-canonical Jewish apocalyptic text, elaborates extensively on this narrative, identifying these "sons of God" as a group of angels called Watchers who rebelled against God by illicitly descending to Earth and engaging in sexual relations with human women, teaching forbidden knowledge, and corrupting humanity.[3] [4] This transgression is often cited as a primary reason for the Great Flood.[5]

Biblical passages like Jude 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:4 are frequently cited to support this interpretation. Jude 1:6 states, "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day."[6] Similarly, 2 Peter 2:4 mentions, "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment."[7] While these verses do not explicitly name the "sons of God" from Genesis 6, many scholars connect them to the Watchers' rebellion described in Enoch and see them as referring to the same event and the subsequent divine punishment.[8]

The idea of their confinement, particularly at a specific location like the Euphrates, is not directly stated in Genesis 6 or the New Testament epistles. However, the concept of bound fallen angels is present. The Book of Revelation 9:14 speaks of "four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates" who are to be released for a specific purpose during the end times.[9] Some interpretations connect these bound angels to the Watchers, suggesting their initial confinement might have occurred after the Flood as a punishment for their corruption of humanity, as described in the Enochic tradition.[10] This connection is speculative and draws heavily on extra-biblical texts to fill in narrative gaps.

Other interpretations of "sons of God" in Genesis 6 include:

• Descendants of Seth: This view suggests that the "sons of God" were the righteous lineage of Seth, who intermarried with the "daughters of men," referring to the ungodly lineage of Cain, leading to widespread corruption.[11]
• Human Rulers/Tyrants: Some scholars propose that "sons of God" refers to powerful human rulers or tyrants who abused their authority and engaged in polygamy, leading to societal decay.[12]

However, the "fallen Watchers" interpretation remains a significant and influential view, especially given its prevalence in ancient Jewish literature and its potential connections to New Testament allusions to angelic sin and judgment.