Is there any connection between Genesis 6:1–2 and Jude 6, and between ‘the sons of God’ and the angels and demons?

This text is from a letter written by David Gooding in 1999.

Genesis 6:1 says: 'When man began to multiply'. Note the singular, 'man'. The Hebrew, hā-ādām, is singular, 'man'; i.e. not some individual men, but the species, man.

Verse 2 talks of 'the daughters of man', i.e. not the daughters of some individual men, but the daughters of the species, man. In other words, 'daughters of man' means 'human females'.

In contrast to human females stand 'sons of God'. In this linguistic context, these cannot also be human beings, sons of man. They must be spirit beings. Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4 agree. See also Job 1:6, 'sons of God'.

It is often said against this interpretation that Christ said that angels cannot marry. Actually, he didn't; he said that, normally, they don't (see Luke 20:34–36). The bad angels left their proper estate.

I hope this is helpful.

Truly yours in Christ,