The term “sons of God” occurs 10 times in the NASB. In the context of each occurrence, it means
either angelic beings or people. It first occurs in Genesis 6:2 when it refers to the sons of God who took the daughters of men for wives. Their offspring were the Nephilim. So, in this context who were they?
Generally speaking, the Jews and the Christian church all held to the belief that the sons of God were fallen angels who impregnated women. Their offspring again were the Nephilim. The theory holds that this interbreeding program was an attempt to disrupt the messianic line and prevent the Messiah from being born. So, God destroyed everyone with the flood.
The Sethite theory says that the sons of God in Gen. 6:2, 4 are the sons of Seth, who was Adam’s son (Gen. 4:25). They married the morally corrupt Canaanite women (descendents of Cain). Their children were then referred to as the Nephilim. The sethite theory did not come about until the 1500s when the Christian church was criticized for the position of angels having relations with women.
In the book of Job 1:6; 2:1 it seems that the sons of God are angels, possibly both good and bad. God speaks to Satan who was among them. So it’s possible that the sons of God were only the wicked angels, but the context does not necessitate that position. Then later in the book, Job 38:7, it says the sons of God shouted for joy. This seems to be a reference to the good angels.
In the remaining occurrences of the term, they are all in the New Testament and they are speaking of the good people, the godly who have trusted in God.
So, the termhas two basic meanings. It refers to the angels, both good and bad, in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament, the phrase refers to believers.
Following is a table with each occurrence of the use of the term as it is in the NASB.
| Address | Verse | Context | Meaning |
| Gen. 6:2 | “that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.” | Nephilim, the wickedness of man. SOG took wives of women | Angels |
| Gen. 6:4 | “The Nephilim were 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.” | Nephilim, the wickedness of man. SOG took wives of women | Angels |
| Job 1:6 | “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” | SOG could be the good angels and/or bad angels | Angels |
| Job 2:1 | “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.” | SOG could be the good angels and/or bad angels | Angels |
| Job 38:7 | “And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” | SOG good angels | Angels |
| Matt. 5:9 | “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” | SOG is those who a godly, trust in God | People |
| Luke 20:36 | “for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” | SOG is those who a godly, trust in God | People |
| Rom. 8:14 | “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” | SOG is those who a godly, trust in God | People |
| Rom. 8:19 | “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” | SOG is those who a godly, trust in God | People |
| Gal. 3:26 | “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” | SOG is those who a godly, trust in God | People |
See blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Gen/Gen_006.cfm?a=6002 for more information on the sons of God.
