Expert: Marvin Howard - 11/16/2004

Question
In our Bible study we had a question about this verse:

(KJV) Genesis 6:2 That the "sons of God" saw the "daughters of men" that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Can you help me explain it?

Thanks,
Rhonda

Answer
Hi!

Rhonda, it is nice to hear from you again. You were the one asking me the question about elders earlier, I believe.

There have been many "possible" explanations offered for this. I will give you the one which seems to make the most sense in light of other scriptures.

Judges 21:14-16, "And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"

I Kings 11:4, 8, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father...And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods."

Ezra 10:2, 14, "And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing...Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us."

Nehemiah 13:27, "Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?"

It appears to me that the concern was taking wives from the group of people which did not believe God. These wives would take the minds of them following Him off their service, and away from their original goal of service.

This is further evidenced by Eve's deception of Adam. It also explains the following passage:

I Peter 3:7, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

It is not speaking of physical strength. It is also the reason for the prohibition of women speaking or holding authority in church (I Timothy 3:2 Titus 1:6 I Corinthians 14:34-35 I Timothy 2:12).

I don't think it involves all of the theories about angels which are put out by many. Angels are from the Spirit realm, as is God. We have one case where a Spirit conceived a child with a mortal: Mary. This was such a rare and special thing. He only did it once. Why would He allow His subordinates to do it often? It would detract from the importance of the coming Christ. Remember, Christ had already been promised by the time of this writing (Genesis 3:15).

I hope this made sense. If you need anything else, please ask.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962