Sethite Interpretation

The biblical narrative, particularly in Genesis, introduces profound questions about humanity’s origins, its fall, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. One such question revolves around the mysterious “sons of God” and “daughters of men” mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. While various interpretations exist, including the “fallen angel” theory, a long-standing perspective known as the Sethite Interpretation offers a compelling view that sheds light on early human history and sets the stage for the lineage of the Messiah.

The Sethite Interpretation: A Human Story of Corruption

The Sethite Interpretation proposes that the “sons of God” were not supernatural beings but the descendants of Seth, Adam’s third son. Seth’s line, meticulously recorded in Genesis 5, is often portrayed as the righteous lineage that “called upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26). In contrast, the “daughters of men” are understood to be the descendants of Cain, a line characterized by worldliness and violence after Cain murdered his brother Abel.

According to this view, the “taking of wives” described in Genesis 6 represents the intermarriage between these two distinct human lines. The godly Sethites, drawn by the physical attractiveness of the Cainite women, compromised their spiritual purity, leading to widespread moral and spiritual corruption across all humanity. This pervasive wickedness, where “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), is presented as the primary reason for God’s decision to bring the Great Flood. This interpretation emphasizes human responsibility for sin and the devastating consequences of spiritual compromise.

The Book of Enoch: An Ancient but Non-Canonical Voice

The “fallen angel” theory, often contrasted with the Sethite view, gained traction in some ancient Jewish and early Christian circles, partly influenced by the Book of Enoch. This ancient text, dating primarily from 300-100 BCE, provides an elaborate account of angels descending to earth, taking human wives, and fathering giants (Nephilim).

It’s important to understand why the Book of Enoch is not included in the standard biblical canon. Composed during the “Years of Silence”—the roughly 400-year intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments—it is a pseudepigraphal work, meaning it was falsely attributed to the patriarch Enoch. While historically significant and canonical for some traditions like the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, it was largely rejected by Jewish rabbis and the majority of early Christian councils. Reasons for its exclusion include perceived contradictions with canonical scripture and the fact that it was not considered divinely inspired by those who compiled the biblical canon.

Jesus: Fully God and Fully Human

When discussing the “sons of God” in Genesis, it’s natural to consider Jesus as the Son of God. However, Christian theology makes a crucial distinction. The New Testament firmly establishes Jesus as the unique Son of God, who is both fully divine and fully human. He shares the same essence as God the Father (fully God) and also became incarnate as a human being, living a life on Earth (fully human). This dual nature is central to Christian doctrine and is distinct from how “sons of God” is used in Genesis 6. Jesus’s divinity and humanity are foundational to his role as the Messiah and Savior.

Tracing the Messianic Thread: From Seth to Jesus

The Gospel of Luke’s genealogy of Jesus provides a powerful connection back through human history, emphasizing Jesus’s role as the savior of all humanity. Luke’s account, found in chapter 3, traces Jesus’s lineage backward through his legal father Joseph, all the way to Adam, and ultimately to God. This lineage explicitly includes Seth, thereby connecting Jesus to this foundational line of humanity from the earliest days.

Here are the most notable figures in this direct lineage from Seth, the “son of God” (in the human sense), to Jesus, the Son of God (in the divine sense), as recorded in Luke’s Gospel:

Notable Figures in the Lineage from Seth to Jesus:

• Seth: Son of Adam, the progenitor of the righteous line before the Flood.
• Enosh: Grandson of Adam, during whose time people “began to call upon the name of the Lord.”
• Enoch: Walked with God and was taken by Him without experiencing death.
• Methuselah: The longest-living human in the biblical account, symbolizing God’s patience.
• Noah: The righteous man chosen to preserve humanity through the Great Flood.
• Shem: Son of Noah, through whom the line of promise and the Abrahamic covenant continued.
• Eber: Progenitor of the “Hebrews.”
• Terah: Father of Abraham, who journeyed from Ur.
• Abraham: The patriarch with whom God made a foundational covenant, promising land and countless descendants, including the Messiah.
• Isaac: Abraham’s son, born of promise, who inherited the covenant.
• Jacob (Israel): Isaac’s son, whose twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Judah: One of Jacob’s sons, from whose tribe the Messianic line was prophesied to emerge.
• Boaz: A key figure in the Book of Ruth, whose marriage to Ruth demonstrates God’s inclusive plan.
• Jesse: Father of King David, from whom the Messiah was foretold to come.
• King David: The revered king of Israel, with whom God made an eternal covenant regarding his throne.
• Nathan: Son of David, through whom Luke traces Jesus’s lineage (distinct from Solomon’s royal line).
• Joseph: The legal father of Jesus, ensuring Jesus’s rightful claim to the Davidic and Sethite lineages.
• Jesus: The Christ, the Son of God, the ultimate fulfillment of all prophecies and the Savior of humanity.