TEACHING NOTES Introduction Genesis 4 ended with the descendants of Cain creating a city of blood. The city of Enoch (Cain’s son) was violent, sensual, and industrious. Lamech (7th from Adam) is portrayed as a prideful and murderous man who claims Cain’s sevenfold protection from God on himself seventy-seven fold. The beautiful story that began in Gen. 1 has taken a turn for the worst. However, there is hope in new life and a new line of humans. Gen.5: The Generations of Adam (Seth’s Line) Adam = humanity, human (lived 930 yrs, died) Seth = set, foundation, ordain, appoint (lived 912 yrs, died) Enosh = human, intimate relationship (lived 905 yrs, died) Kenan/Cainan = create, acquire, buy (lived 910 yrs, died) Mahalalel = praise of God or God is shinning (lived 895 yrs, died) Jared = to go down (lived 962 yrs, died) Enoch = dedicated (walked w/God 365 yrs, taken) Methuselah = spread or stretch out (lived 969 yrs, died) Lamech = powerful man (lived 777 yrs, died) Noah = rest, relief, comfort (lived 950 yrs, died) Author’s Purpose: If we compare the list of Cain’s descendants in Gen. 4 to Seth’s in Gen. 5 we notice that the author intends for us to see a contrast. Cain’s line is portrayed negatively, while Seth’s line is portrayed positively. *See Chart: Gen. 4 vs Gen. 5 Genealogy Interesting Observations: 10 Generations: The author has chosen these 10 for a reason. Since this number is significant in other stories (10 speeches by God in creation, 10 plagues on Egypt, 10 commandments, etc), the author must have a theological purpose for pointing out these 10 and leaving out others. Perhaps the number 10 is be associated with something God is doing. Enoch is the 7th from Adam: If we do the math, all of the patriarchs before Enoch are still alive in Enoch’s time. Also, Enoch lives on earth less time that all the others. Enoch is presented as the one who walked with God. Adam walked with God before being exiled from the garden. Noah also walked with God (Gen. 6:9). Incomplete: Notice not all the descendants are named or described. Only one descendant from each generation is named. Each generation “had other sons and daughters” but their names and ages are not mentioned. What’s the point? Ancient genealogies are not intended to function like modern genealogies. Modern genealogies are designed solely for historically accurate information. Ancient genealogies are designed for literary and theological messaging/points. Question: What’s the deal with Enoch? ​ Genesis 5:24 ESV 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Literal Translation: “Enoch walked with the elohim, and he was not, for Elohim took him.” The Hebrew states that Enoch walked with the elohim, which is plural and may refer to the heavenly/spiritual beings. But Elohim (singular) took him. The author doesn’t give us anymore information. God took him = This is the same phrase used in Gen. 2:15 when God “took” Adam and “put” (lit. rested) him in the garden. It’s as if the author wants us to think that Enoch was taken to God in the garden. The only other people “taken” directly to God are possibly Moses (it says he died, but in a mysterious way - see Deut. 34:5-6) and Elijah Author’s Purpose: In the genealogy of Gen. 5, the author points out that all the other nine patriarchs died. The author is highlighting Enoch as one who did not experience death of his ancestors because he walked with God. Question: If the traditional view of original sin or sin nature is true - that all people born after Adam are born in sin and death is the proof - then how is it that Enoch walked with God and skipped death? Pattern: Walking with God While Adam walked with God in the garden (Gen. 2-3), he failed and was exiled. Enoch is the next one said to have “walked with God” and he was “taken”, which is the same phrase used in Gen. 2:15 when God “took” Adam and “rested” him in the garden. The next man to walk with God is Noah (Gen. 6:9). We’re told that Abraham walked with God (Gen. 17:1; Gen. 24:40) and also Isaac (Gen. 48:15). Moses is said to have known God “face to face” (Deut. 34:10), which must mean he walked with God. Question: Do we know anything else about Enoch? This Enoch occurs in only 10 verses in our Protestant Bibles. In Heb. 11:5 his story is retold in what we call the Hall of Faith. In Jude 14-15 Enoch’s prophesy is quoted, but our Protestant Bibles does not contain his prophesy. Where did Jude get this information? The Protestant Bibles we read in the west exclude a group of writings from the intertestamental period. However, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint from 300 BC) included these writings. Interestingly, Peter and Jude mention material from 1 Enoch as if they believed it. 1 Enoch describes his story in much more detail. It describes the fallen sons of God (even names them), the flood, and what Enoch experienced in the heavenly realm. Most of our understanding about demons actually comes from 1 Enoch. The demons we see in the New Testament are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim/Rephaim. Should we read books that were taken out of modern translations? These books that are not in our modern Protestant Bibles were widely read before, during, and after Jesus’ time. The apostles read and quoted from some of them. Christians read them and held them in high regard for centuries and some still do. The first English translations included these books (even the King James Version). Therefore, we should read these books, not necessarily as scripture but as truthful. A document doesn’t have to be Scripture to be true. These ancient writings tells us a lot about intertestamental history and theology. They are valuable resources in helping us understand ancient culture and how they interpreted biblical stories. If Jesus and the apostles read and valued them, we should too. Gen. 5 presents a new line of humans that lead the reader toward hope for the future of humanity. This hope is quickly interrupted by Gen. 6 where we’re told that heavenly beings rebelled against God to corrupting humanity. ​ Genesis 6:1–2 ESV 1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. When = If we pay attention, Gen. 6:1-8 seems to be a narrative insertion. Gen. 5:1 begins with “This is the book (scroll) of the generations of Adam” and Gen. 6:9 begins with “These are the generations of Noah”. We are not told exactly when the events of Gen. 6:1-4 occured, but it must have been at least 120 years before the flood. Sons of God = Heb. bene ha elohim - more on this below Saw that the daughters of men were attractive = Literally, they saw that the daughters of men were “good” (Heb. tov). This sounds familiar with Gen. 1 where Elohim/Yahweh “saw that it was good” when He “saw” what He created. God saw that it was good and gave to humanity. However, these elohim see and take from humanity. This phrase is also seen in Gen. 3:6 when Eve “saw” the fruit was “good” and “took” from the tree. Question: Who are the sons of God? There are several views that attempt to explain the identity of the sons of God: Sons of Seth: This view claims that the “sons of God” were the godly descendants of Seth. While this view lessens the strange nature of Gen. 6:1-4, it ignores all other passages in the Old Testament about the sons of God. Also, Gen. 6:1-4 says nothing about Seth and this view does not explain the Nephilim. Human Rulers/Kings: This view claims that the “sons of God” were powerful rulers or kings that “took wives” in a polygamist fashion. This view claims that the main issue is polygamy. However, this is mere speculation and ignores the rest of the Bible passages about the sons of God and the Nephilim. Fallen/Rebellious Elohim: This view identifies the “sons of God” as spiritual beings (elohim) who rebelled against God/Yahweh by leaving the spiritual realm (heavens) to inhabit the physical realm (earth). This view takes all passages into account and provides the most biblical approach. This view requires no speculation or reading into the text. It is rejected by many modern readers and theologians because it just sounds weird. However, this is the view of the New Testament authors (see 1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6-7). Where else are the sons of God mentioned? Job 1:6; 2:1 tells us that the “sons of God” are heavenly/spiritual beings. Job 15:15 tells us that God does not trust “his holy ones” (heavenly beings). Job 38:4-7 tells us that the “sons of God” watched God create the earth. Psalm 29:1 calls them “heavenly beings” (Heb. bene elim). Deut. 32:8-9 tells us that when Yahweh divided the nations at the Tower of Babel, the “sons of God” were assigned to the nations but Yahweh created Israel as His own people/nation. Psalm 82 tells us that the elohim assigned to the nations had rebelled against Yahweh and failed the nations. In Psalm 82:6 God calls these elohim His sons. Jesus quotes from Psalm 82:6 in John 10:31-39 to argue that God had sons who were called “gods” (elohim). Psalm 89 tells us that the “holy ones” and “heavenly beings” (Heb. bene elim) are in the divine council/assembly in heaven. 1 Kings 22 tells us that the prophet Micaiah saw Yahweh having a discussion with the divine council. Yahweh actually asked the other elohim to come up with a plan that would lead to the evil king Ahab’s death. Then “a spirit” has the idea to be “a lying spirit” in Ahab’s prophets so that they will encourage Ahab to go to battle. Yahweh gives this spirit permission and Ahab is killed. What do these passages tells us? If we survey the entire usage of the phrase “sons of God” (Heb. bene ha elohim or bene elim), the picture becomes clear. The sons of God are heavenly/spiritual beings (elohim) who were created by Yahweh to be part of His divine council. They are partners with God to accomplish God’s plans in His creation. However, some of the sons of God rebelled in Gen. 6:1-4 by corrupting humans and leading them to be violent. After Babel other sons of God were assigned to the nations but they also rebelled and encouraged humans to worship them as gods. This is why Yahweh commanded Israel not to worship other elohim (gods), because they were fallen sons of God. Spiritual Beings in the Old Testament: Yahweh Elohim (LORD God, Most High): The Creator Cherubim & Seraphim: animal-like guardians of sacred space Sons of Elohim: also called “sons of the Most High” and “gods” Angels: messengers of Yahweh, appear in human form Demons: Heb. shedim - disembodied spirits of Nephilim/Rephaim Objection: Didn’t Jesus say in Matt. 22:30 that angels can’t get married? This is the most common objection to the view that the sons of God are heavenly beings. However, Jesus is speaking about how things are IN HEAVEN, not on earth. The sons of God left heaven and corrupted humanity by procreating with human women. Jesus is referring to angels who have not left heaven and that they do not get married in heaven. Jesus said nothing about rebellious angels who leave heaven. Genesis 6:3 ESV 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” My Spirit shall not abide in man forever = While the word for “abide” (Heb. yadon) can mean “to stay”, it can also mean “to content or strive against”. This Hebrew word is not used anywhere else in the Old Testament, so the meaning is unclear. Given the context of the following verses in Gen. 6, it seems more likely that “strive against” is the better translation. For he is flesh = This is not the reason God will not content with man. The word “for” is not present in the Hebrew. It is more likely that this phrase goes with the next phrase “his days shall be 120 years” than with the previous phrase. Therefore, the sentence would read, “My Spirit shall not content with humanity forever. In that also he is flesh, his days shall be 120 years.” His days shall be 120 years = Some have taken this to mean that God was changing the lifespan of humans to 120 years. Others believe God is declaring that He is going to end humanity in 120 years (with the flood). It seems illogical to take the lifespan view because many people after the flood lived long past 120 years. Therefore, this phrase is stating that God is going to give humans 120 more years and then He is going to bring the flood. ​ Genesis 6:4 ESV 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. Nephilim = Heb. נְפִילִים (nep̄î·lîm) - monstrous giants. Some study Bibles and commentaries argue that this word means “those who fall on men” meaning that they were merely great human warriors who violently killed people. This is false. Those who fall on men would be naphal not nephilim. All ancient readers and translators understood the Nephilim as giants. Gen. 6:4 clearly tells us that the Nephilim are the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men. This means that they are not the kind of humans that God created. They are hybrids so to speak. Therefore, they are a corruption of humanity. As we continue to read the Old Testament we find that God wants these Nephilim eliminated and commissions Israel (the seed of the woman - Gen. 3:15) to wipe them out. Are the Nephilim mentioned elsewhere in the Bible? The next mention is in Num. 13:33 where we are told that the sons on Anak came from the Nephilim. The sons of Anak were called the Anakim and were giants. Gen. 15:20; Deut. 2:11, 20; 3:11 call them Rephaim which are descendants of Nephilim. They are also called Zamzummim (Zuzim) and Emim. In the Israelite conquest of Canaan (the promised land), God commands the Israelites to destroy the giant clans. God does NOT command Israel to destroy everyone in Canaan, only the giants and their descendants. Israel fails to destroy all the giants which eventually leads them to start worshiping other gods. Later in the Old Testament we find a giant named Goliath. He is a Philistine from Gath and was killed by David (1 Sam. 17). In 2 Sam. 22:15-22 and 1 Chr. 20:4-8 we find David defeating the last of the giants. In those days, and also afterward = Apparently, the Nephilim existed before and after the flood. How? They either survived the flood or more sons of God took more daughters of men after the flood. Mighty men = Heb. gibborim - This was a common term in the Ancient Near East that often describe giants. One example is Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia. In Gen. 10:8 we find that Nimrod is a gibborim. Nimrod also build the cities of Babel (Babylon) and Nineveh, which both become the arch-enemies of Israel. Men of renown = Heb. ish ha shem - Literally, “men of name”. This means that everyone knew of these Nephilim and they had a reputation of being unusually large, powerful, and strong. The Nephilim in other nations: Archeological discoveries of the writings of the ancient near east have provided a wealth of cultural information. Almost every culture/nation in the ancient near east contained Nephilim-like stories and flood stories. In Canaanite and Ugaritic cultures they were called the Apkallu - offspring of divine beings who mated with humans. The difference however is that in those cultures outside of Israel, these divine beings who mated with humans are portrayed as good gods who taught humans to build massive buildings, forge weapons, create pharmaceuticals, etc. Israel’s view is that they were evil and led to the corruption of humanity to the point that the earth was full of violence. *For more information on Nephilim, visit www.drmsh.com - the website of Dr. Michael S. Heiser, Old Testament Hebrew and Ancient Near East scholar. Search for “nephilim” and multiple articles will come up. Also see Dr. Heiser’s book The Unseen Realm or the shorter version Supernatural for a detailed explanation. ​ Genesis 6:5–6 ESV 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. The LORD saw = A common pattern in the Torah. Wickedness = Heb. ra’at - evil, no good Intention = Heb. yeser - creation, shape, striving Thoughts = Heb. mahasabah - reasoning, thinking, plans Heart = Heb. lib - the inner self Only evil = Heb. raq ra - only bad or only evil Continually = Heb. kal ha yom - all the day Regretted = Heb. naham - to be sorry/sorrowful Grieved = Heb. asab - to feel emotional pain Question: How could an all-knowing God feel regret? This is a common question that contains an assumption. It assumes that one cannot regret or feel grieved about something that they know is going to happen. It assumes that if one feels regret or sorry, they cannot know the future. But we know this assumption is not true. We all know that people will die, but we still experience pain when death occurs. We know what a bad decision will lead to, but still experience regret when the consequences come. God experiencing regret or grief does not mean that He doesn’t know the future nor that He made a mistake. God knows the outcome of His and our decisions, evil grieves Him, and He knows the plan to fix it. God created humanity with free will, which is the opportunity to choose. Since God declared in Gen. 1:26-27 that humans will rule the earth, and God cannot go against His own word, He allows humans to choose good and evil. God repeatedly refuses to override human free will. Therefore, the evil in the world, and the consequences of it, are not God’s fault. Humans commit, allow, and promote evil. Just because God created humans knowing that they would rebel does not make Him responsible for their rebellion. God gives humans a choice and we are responsible for what we choose. ​ Genesis 6:7–8 ESV 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. I will blot out man = While this sounds like harsh judgment and punishment, we should consider God’s point of view. The earth has become so violent that it is headed to self-annihilation. We see this in the Hebrew of Gen. 6:13 which says, “And Yahweh said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them...’” God sees that the end is near for humanity. Therefore, God decides to save humanity by choosing Noah to restart the project. Noah found favor = The Hebrew word for “favor” (Heb. hen) refers to fondness and grace. Another reading could be, “The eyes of Yahweh found grace for Noah.” Why Noah? Gen. 6:9 tells us that Noah “was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” Noah was like Enoch, so God saved him. However, we find out that Noah eventually fails (Gen. 9:20-21) and his son Ham rebells (Gen. 9:22-25).