Have you ever been reading the Old Testament and stumbled across a phrase that just didn't seem to fit with everything you’ve been taught? Phrases like sons of God in Bible, or verses that seem to talk about multiple gods can be confusing, especially when we're taught that there is only one true God. For many, this part of the Bible feels a bit spooky or is simply ignored in church. But what if understanding these spiritual entities is key to unlocking a much deeper, more epic story in the Bible? Let's pull back the curtain on the invisible realm and explore who the sons of god in Bible are, dieties or created spirit beings.
The key Hebrew phrase we're looking at is bene ha'elohim. This translates literally to "sons of the gods" or, more commonly, "sons of God." It's not a term used for humans in the Old Testament, nor is it referring to angels in the way we typically picture them (cherubic figures with harps). Instead, this term designates a specific class of created, non-human, spiritual beings who serve in God's heavenly government. Think of them as God's divine family or heavenly host.
Right away, this might raise a red flag about monotheism. But the Bible isn't shy about this topic. It consistently presents a picture of Yahweh, the God of Israel, as the supreme, uncreated Creator who is unique and all-powerful. However, it also reveals that He presides over a council of these created spirit beings. The existence of other spiritual beings doesn't challenge God's unique status; it actually highlights His supreme authority over all creation, both seen and unseen.
The clearest picture of this heavenly assembly, often called the divine council, appears in the book of Job. In the opening chapter, we read, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them" (Job 1:6). This scene repeats in chapter 2. This isn't a metaphor; it's a literal depiction of a heavenly council meeting where God's spiritual family reports to Him. They are clearly subordinate to the Lord (Yahweh).
This concept of God presiding over a heavenly court is reinforced in the Psalms. Psalm 89:5-7 declares, "The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him." Yahweh is not just one among equals; He is incomparably greater than all other members of the divine council.
It's helpful to understand that ancient cultures surrounding Israel all had a concept of a divine council. They believed in a high god who ruled over a pantheon of lesser gods. What the Bible does is revolutionary: it takes this familiar cultural concept and corrects it. It reveals that Yahweh is the sole, supreme Creator, and the other "elohim" (a Hebrew word that can mean God, gods, or spirit beings) are not deities to be worshipped but are created beings, part of His administration.
Now, let's look at one of the most important and often misunderstood passages: Deuteronomy 32:8-9. For centuries, English Bibles, based on the Masoretic Text, read that God "set the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel." However, older manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Septuagint (the translation used by the apostles) have a different reading: "he set the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God."
This small change has massive implications. This verse is describing the aftermath of the Tower of Babel incident in Genesis 11. After humanity rebelled and was scattered, God essentially disinherited the nations. He assigned them to be governed by members of His divine council, the "sons of God." At the same time, He set apart one nation for Himself: "For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance" (Deuteronomy 32:9). This sets the stage for a major conflict in the biblical story.
This leads us directly to the dramatic courtroom scene in Psalm 82. The psalm opens with, God [Elohim] presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the gods [elohim]" (Psalm 82:1). Here, the same Hebrew word, elohim, is used for both the one true God and the spirit beings He is judging. The context makes the meaning clear. The supreme Elohim is calling the lesser elohim, the very "sons of God" assigned to rule the nations in Deuteronomy 32, to account for their corrupt governance.
What was their crime? God accuses them, saying, "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?" (Psalm 82:2). They failed to reflect God's just and righteous character in their rule over humanity. Because of this rebellion and corruption, God passes a shocking sentence: "I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler" (Psalm 82:6-7). This proves they are not eternal deities; they are created beings subject to the judgment and authority of Yahweh.
Now we can tackle the infamous passage in Genesis 6:1-4. It describes a time when "the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose." The text says their offspring were the Nephilim, who were "the heroes of old, men of renown." This event is presented as a primary reason for God's decision to flood the world.
So, who are sons of god in Genesis 6:1-4, Deuteronomy 32:8-9? The most consistent biblical interpretation is that the "sons of God" in Genesis 6 are the same class of divine beings we've been discussing. This was a profound act of rebellion where high ranking spirit beings, transgressed the boundary between the spiritual and human realms, corrupting humanity in a way that prompted the extreme judgment of the Flood. This interpretation was the universal view of Jewish and Christian writers for centuries.
Some have suggested the "sons of God" were the righteous descendants of Seth, and the "daughters of humans" were the unrighteous descendants of Cain. However, this view has significant problems. Why would ordinary human marriages produce giant "heroes of renown" (the Nephilim)? And why would this intermarriage be so uniquely wicked as to provoke a world-destroying flood? The context points to a supernatural transgression, not just a human one.
So, to answer the central question: who are the sons of god in Bible, are they dieties or created spirit beings? The overwhelming biblical evidence points to them being powerful, created spirit beings. They are members of God's heavenly council, given authority and responsibility. They are not, and have never been, deities on par with Yahweh, the one true God.
The rebellion of these beings is a major source of evil in the world. When the sons of God assigned to the nations chose to rule corruptly (Psalm 82), they became hostile powers. They led the nations away from the true God and into idolatry, demanding worship for themselves. These are the beings behind the pagan gods of the ancient world, not just statues of wood, stone or metal, but real spiritual entities opposed to Yahweh.
This worldview is crucial for understanding the New Testament. When the Apostle Paul writes that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12), he is talking about these same rebellious divine beings, who are the sons of God in Bible.
Jesus's arrival on Earth was a declaration of war against these cosmic powers. His ministry of casting out demons, healing the sick, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God was a direct assault on the authority these fallen beings held over humanity. His death and resurrection were the decisive victory, disarming these powers and authorities and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15).
The Great Commission is not just about saving individual souls; it's about reclaiming the nations for their rightful King. When Jesus says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:18-19), He is announcing the end of the corrupt rule of the rebellious sons of God in Bible. He is sending His followers as emissaries of His kingdom to reclaim what was lost at Babel.
Understanding the role of the sons of god in bible transforms the biblical narrative from a simple story about humanity into a cosmic epic of conflict and redemption. It explains the intense spiritual opposition to God's plan, clarifies why the nations were so steeped in idolatry, and gives profound meaning to the mission of Jesus and the Church. The spiritual world isn't just a spooky sideshow; it's the very backdrop against which the drama of salvation unfolds.
This may be a new and challenging concept, but it is deeply rooted in the biblical text. I encourage you to re-read passages like Genesis 6, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 82 with this framework in mind. You will begin to see a more complex, more epic, and ultimately more coherent story of God's plan to redeem not only humanity but all of creation from the forces of rebellion and darkness. It’s a story you have a part to play in.