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Did Angels Have Intercourse With Women?


matthew1618

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Genesis 6: 1-4

1 When men began to multiply on earth and daughters were born to them,

[b]2 the sons of heaven saw how beautiful the daughters of man were, and so they took for their wives as many of them as they chose. [/b]

3 Then the LORD said: "My spirit shall not remain in man forever, since he is but flesh. His days shall comprise one hundred and twenty years."

4 At that time the [b]Nephilim [/b] appeared on earth (as well as later), after the [b]sons of heaven had intercourse with the daughters of man, who bore them sons. They were the heroes of old, the men of renown. [/b]

Did angels really have sex with women and Who's Nephillim and who's his sons? I'm not sure I can believe an angel could have sex with humans. And for that matter have sons. I know it's a hard question but If someone could help me out with this it would be a big help? :mellow:

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Thy Geekdom Come

The best answer I've heard is that the "sons of heaven" were the righteous sons of Seth. Remember that up until this time, Genesis has only addressed the sons of Cain. Seth, like Abel, was righteous...and his children, as far as we know, were also righteous. At this point, it appears that they fell into great sin with Cain's children.

As for the Nephilim, that's actually plural...it's a race of giants or, according to the text, "heroes of old."

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goldenchild17

Raph's got it. Seems in context to be referring to the mixing of peoples, those of God, through Seth, and those of the earth, through Cain.

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Just to stir the pot and provoke thought, it may appear that demons did lust after women, according to Paul:
[quote name='1 Corinthians 11:4-15']Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil. A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; nor was man created for woman, but woman for man; [b]for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.[/b]

Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him, whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering?
- 1 Corinthians 11:4-15[/quote]

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[quote name='Douay-Rheims Bible: Genesis Ch. 5; Vs. 1-4']1 And after that men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all which they chose. 3 And God said: My spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. 4 Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth children, these are the mighty men of old, men of renown.

2 "The sons of God"... The descendants of Seth and Enos are here called sons of God from their religion and piety: whereas the ungodly race of Cain, who by their carnal affections lay grovelling upon the earth, are called the children of men. The unhappy consequence of the former marrying with the latter, ought to be a warning to Christians to be very circumspect in their marriages; and not to suffer themselves to be determined in their choice by their carnal passion, to the prejudice of virtue or religion.

3 "His days shall be"... The meaning is, that man's days, which before the flood were usually 900 years, should now be reduced to 120 years. Or rather, that God would allow men this term of 120 years, for their repentance and conversion, before he would send the deluge.

4 "Giants"... It is likely the generality of men before the flood were of a gigantic stature in comparison with what men now are. But these here spoken of are called giants, as being not only tall in stature, but violent and savage in their dispositions, and mere monsters of cruelty and lust. [/quote]

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philosophette

[quote name='scardella' post='1185589' date='Feb 5 2007, 05:15 PM']
Just to stir the pot and provoke thought, it may appear that demons did lust after women, according to Paul:
[/quote]

???

That really does not make sense. I am confused about how that could be possible. :idontknow:

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[quote name='philosobrat' post='1185695' date='Feb 5 2007, 07:02 PM']
That really does not make sense. I am confused about how that could be possible. :idontknow:
[/quote]

My interpretation?

Anyway, here's a quote from wikipedia regarding incubus:
[quote name='wikipedia']In Western medieval legend, an incubus (plural incubi) is a demon in male form supposed to lie upon sleepers, especially women, in order to have sexual intercourse with them. They are also believed to do this in order to spawn other incubi. The incubus drains energy from the woman it performs sexual intercourse upon in order to sustain itself. In most cases it either kills the victim or leaves the victim in very weak or fragile condition.[citation needed] A female version was called a succubus.[/quote]

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[quote name='scardella' post='1186254' date='Feb 6 2007, 11:40 AM']
My interpretation?

Anyway, here's a quote from wikipedia regarding incubus:
[/quote]

That's impossible though... angelic beings can't generate.

On 1 Cor. 11:10 here is what is what i found:

This is from a non-Catholic Christian source (John Calvin):

[quote]Because of the angels. This passage is explained in various ways. As the Prophet Malachi 2:7 calls priests angels of God, some are of opinion that Paul speaks of them; but the ministers of the word have nowhere that term applied to them by itself — that is, without something being added; and the meaning would be too forced. I understand it, therefore, in its proper signification. But it is asked, why it is that he would have women have their heads covered because of the angels — for what has this to do with them? Some answer: "Because they are present on occasion of the prayers of believers, and on this account are spectators of unseemliness, should there be any on such occasions." But what need is there for philosophizing with such refinement? We know that angels are in attendance, also, upon Christ as their head, and minister to him. When, therefore, women venture upon such liberties, as to usurp for themselves the token of authority, they make their baseness manifest to the angels. This, therefore, was said by way of amplifying, as if he had said, "If women uncover their heads, not only Christ, but all the angels too, will be witnesses of the outrage." And this interpretation suits well with the Apostle’s design. He is treating here of different ranks. Now he says that, when women assume a higher place than becomes them, they gain this by it — that they discover their impudence in the view of the angels of heaven.[/quote]

Edited by Seven77
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I've heard an answer to this being that in Jewish thought the 'sons of heaven" were the princes and other wealthy men. I have no source, only a faint recollection.

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[quote name='Seven77' post='1186275' date='Feb 6 2007, 11:12 AM']
That's impossible though... angelic beings can't generate.
[/quote]

That may be true... but they can still lust.

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goldenchild17

but if they can't generate with humans then that negates them as an option for being the "Sons of God". If the daughters of man cannot bear sons for the angels, then the angels cannot be who it's referring to I don't think.

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[quote name='scardella' post='1187357' date='Feb 7 2007, 09:38 AM']
That may be true... but they can still lust.
[/quote]

Before lucifer fell the angels were faced with the non reversible decision to serve God or not. After that, the good angels can't choose evil nor can the demons choose good. How can "the sons of God" (if it's referring to angels) choose to lust? And certainly "sons of God" cannot be fallen angels (demons).

Non-sexual beings can lust?

"because of the angels" refers to the fact that myriads of angels are present at Mass, so women should remember this and thus dress as if she's in Heaven---b/c she is.

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The MOST Theological Collection
Basic Scripture: "Chapter 9: The Book of Genesis"

Some today charge error in Genesis because it speaks of Abel as a herdsman, and Cain as a farmer - these developments belong much later in the history of our race, they say. Further, Genesis 4:21- 22 speaks of Jubal, the ancestor of those who play harp and flute, and of Tubalcain as the father of all who work in bronze and iron. Again, much too early. However, once we grasp the fact that Genesis 1-11 consists of stories designed to bring out some things that were really true we have no problem here. That whole stretch is designed to show how mankind was sinful from the start, to such an extent that God repented of making mankind and sent the deluge. Within this framework, then, the odd little episode of 6:1-4 in which the sons of God had children by human women is likely to be some ancient tale, which the author of Genesis found suited his purpose well - showing the wickedness of all. Who the sons of god are is much discussed. Some suggest it means sons of Seth, taking wives from the daughters of Cain. Some Fathers of the Church thought it meant angels! (e.g., St. Justin Martyr, Apology II. 5). Angels do not have bodies, but otherwise, we do not know. But the point is clear, it was an ancient tale meant to help bring out the wickedness of the race, leading right up to the deluge.

[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/most/start.cfm"]http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/most/start.cfm[/url]

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