Conclusion: What is "Strange Flesh" in Jude 1:7?¶
The Question¶
What does Jude mean by σαρκὸς ἑτέρας ("strange flesh" / "flesh of a different kind") in Jude 1:7?
The Passage¶
Jude 1:6-7
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Two Viable Readings¶
Reading 1: Homosexuality¶
"Strange flesh" = flesh "different" from the natural counterpart (men pursuing men instead of women)
Reading 2: Both/And (Homosexual Intent + Angelic Reality)¶
"Strange flesh" encompasses both: 1. Subjectively (the Sodomites' intent): Homosexual lust - they wanted males, refused females 2. Objectively (what Jude knows in hindsight): Angelic flesh - the visitors were actually angels
Both readings are defensible. This study presents the evidence for each.
Key Evidence¶
The Linguistic Argument¶
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ἕτερος (G2087) | different in KIND |
| ἄλλος (G243) | another of SAME kind |
Jude uses ἕτερος - the KJV translates it "strange" only here in the entire NT.
Why this matters: From Jude's inspired perspective, the flesh WAS categorically different - it was angelic. The word choice reflects the objective reality, not the Sodomites' perception.
The Genesis 19 Narrative¶
| What the Sodomites saw | What was actually true |
|---|---|
| "Men" (Gen 19:5) | Angels (Gen 19:1) |
| Homosexual targets | Beings of a different order |
- The Sodomites' intent was homosexual (they refused female substitutes - Gen 19:8-9)
- The reality was that they pursued angelic beings
The Judges 19 Parallel¶
The Gibeah narrative uses identical Hebrew vocabulary to Genesis 19:
| Hebrew | Strong's | Genesis 19 | Judges 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| יָדַע (yada) | H3045 | "know" (19:5) | "know" (19:22) |
| רעע (ra'a) | H7489 | "wickedly" (19:7) | "wickedly" (19:23) |
| בַּת (bat) | H1323 | "daughters" (19:8) | "daughter" (19:24) |
| אִישׁ (ish) | H376 | "men" (19:5) | "man" (19:22) |
Key Distinction: "Men" vs "Angels"¶
| Passage | Speaker | Hebrew | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 19:1 | Narrator | מַלְאָךְ (mal'ak) H4397 | "angels" |
| Gen 19:5 | Sodomites | אִישׁ (ish) H376 | "men" |
| Jdg 19:22 | Men of Gibeah | אִישׁ (ish) H376 | "man" |
Both mobs used the same word - אִישׁ (ish) - for the visitor. The Sodomites thought they were pursuing "men," just like Gibeah. But the narrator tells us the visitors were actually מַלְאָכִים (angels).
What this proves: From the mob's perspective, both events were identical - pursuing אִישׁ (men).
What this also shows: The objective reality differed - Sodom's "men" were actually angels, known to the narrator and to Jude.
Key question: Why did Jude choose Sodom over Gibeah? Both used identical vocabulary for the same sin.
The OT Confirmation¶
Ezekiel 16:50 says Sodom committed "abomination" (תּוֹעֵבָה / toebah) - the same term used in Leviticus 18:22 for homosexuality.
This confirms the homosexual element was present.
Evaluation of Each Reading¶
Reading 1 (Homosexuality Only)¶
Strengths: 1. Judges 19 parallel - identical Hebrew vocabulary (יָדַע, רעע, בַּת), same sin, no angels 2. Genesis 19:8-9 - men refused female substitutes, specifically wanted males 3. Ezekiel 16:50 - Sodom's sin called "abomination" (toebah) - the Levitical term for homosexuality 4. Simpler reading - doesn't require layered interpretation
Challenges: 1. Why use ἕτερος ("different kind") rather than παρὰ φύσιν ("against nature") like Paul? 2. Human male flesh is not categorically "different" from human female flesh
Reading 2 (Both/And)¶
Strengths: 1. Explains ἕτερος - "different in kind" accurately describes what the flesh actually was (angelic) 2. Explains Judges 19 distinction - same homosexual intent, but Sodom had the additional angelic dimension 3. Explains why Jude chose Sodom - the angelic element makes it distinctive 4. Maintains the homosexual element - clearly attested in Genesis 19 and Ezekiel 16:50
Challenges: 1. More complex interpretation 2. Requires distinguishing subjective intent from objective reality
What This Does NOT Require¶
This reading does NOT require:
- That Jude 6 describes sexual sin - It describes rebellion (leaving position/habitation)
- That Genesis 6 "sons of God" were angels - That is a separate question not established by Jude 6-7
- That "in like manner" connects the sins - The grammar is ambiguous (see related study)
The connection between v6 and v7 (if any) might be: - Both are examples of divine judgment - Both involve crossing proper boundaries (position for angels, flesh-categories for Sodom) - But NOT necessarily the same type of sin
Connection to Related Studies¶
From jude-6-7-angels-sin¶
Finding: The angels' sin in Jude 6 was rebellion (leaving their position, cast from heaven) - NOT sexual sin.
- "First estate" (arche) = position, rank
- "Habitation" (oiketerion) = heaven
- Revelation 12 provides the parallel
From jude-1-6-7-in-like-manner¶
Finding: The grammar of τὸν ὅμοιον τρόπον τούτοις is ambiguous. Both readings are grammatically defensible.
From ../jude-6-everlasting-chains/¶
Finding: "Everlasting chains under darkness" describes spiritual condemnation, not a literal underground prison.
Summary Table¶
| Question | Reading 1 | Reading 2 |
|---|---|---|
| What is "strange flesh"? | Homosexuality | Homosexual intent + angelic reality |
| Why "strange" (ἕτερος)? | Different from natural | Categorically different (angelic) |
| Did the Sodomites know? | N/A | No - they thought they were men |
| What was their sin? | Same-sex lust | Same-sex lust (+ angelic dimension) |
| Question | Answer (both readings) |
|---|---|
| Does Jude 6 describe sexual sin? | No - it describes rebellion |
| Does Jude connect v6 and v7 sins? | Not clearly established |
| Was homosexuality involved? | Yes (Gen 19:4-9; Ezek 16:50) |
Conclusion¶
Both readings are viable:
Reading 1: "Strange flesh" simply means homosexual relations - flesh "different" from the natural counterpart. The Judges 19 parallel supports this, and it's the simpler reading.
Reading 2: "Strange flesh" encompasses both the Sodomites' homosexual intent AND the objective reality (known to Jude) that the visitors were angels. This explains why Jude uses ἕτερος ("different in kind") and why he chose Sodom over Gibeah.
What is certain: The homosexual element is clearly present (Gen 19:4-9; Ezek 16:50). The question is whether Jude is also highlighting the angelic dimension.
The interpreter must weigh: - The significance of ἕτερος vs other terminology - Whether the Judges 19 parallel is decisive - Whether Jude's choice of Sodom (with angels) over Gibeah (without) is significant
Study Files¶
01-topics.md- Nave's Topical Dictionary research02-verses.md- All relevant verses03-analysis.md- Detailed analysis including both/and reading04-word-studies.md- Greek word studies (ἕτερος, ἄλλος, σάρξ)
Related Studies¶
- jude-1-6-7-in-like-manner - What does "in like manner" refer to?
../jude-6-everlasting-chains/- What are "everlasting chains under darkness"?- jude-6-7-angels-sin - What was the angels' sin in Jude 6?
Companion Sites¶
These companion sites use the same tool-driven research methodology:
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| The Law of God | A 33-study investigation examining every major text, word, and argument about the moral law, ceremonial law, the Sabbath, and what continues under the New Covenant. 810 evidence items classified. |
| The Final Fate of the Wicked | A 21-study investigation examining every major text, word, and argument bearing on the final fate of the wicked. 632 evidence items classified. |
| Bible Studies Collection | 85 standalone Bible studies on various topics -- death, prophecy, angels, word studies, and more. Each study is produced by the same tool-driven research methodology. |