What does 'first estate' mean in Jude 1:6 (KJV)?

Question

Jude 1:6 (emphasis mine):

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.

This verse references a topics that are not thoroughly covered in the Bible (Enoch, Michael, etc). I haven't found the term 'first estate' in the Bible anywhere else, and other translations don't provide much clarity for me.

What are we to understand by the phrase, 'first estate', and who are those angels that did not keep it?

Note:

Just so there's no speculation, I come from an LDS background. My motivation for asking this question is to know how those outside of my faith understand by this verse, but answers consistent with LDS theology are also welcome.

Answer 1

The Strong's for this is:

archē
ar-khay'
From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

Sounds like it means they gave up their rank or position, in addition to their "habitation" (residence) in exchange for some wicked thing they desired. Now, as a result, they are enjoying their 2nd estate--in chains.

Answer 2

Looking at Blue Letter Bible, here "first estate" is written as archē (Strong's G746). The fifth definition is:

5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
a) of angels and demons

Thus, it would seem that the angels left where they were supposed to be, and as such, were cast out. This is made clear by the NLT version of the same verse:

Jude 1:6 (NLT)
And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.

[Emphasis mine.]

Hence, these angels were told by God where to be, but they rebelled against God's authority and as such were put into Hell.

Answer 3

These verses looks like refer to fall of angels.

NIV renders the verse like this: Jude 1:6 "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.". So it is clear that it is describing those angels.

So i think, "first estate" in KJV is the position of authority God granted to a group of angels who misused it and was thrown out. I believe the same thing referred here in Isaiah 14:12-15.

"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[a] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. "

KJV uses "O Lucifer, Son of the morning"

Answer 4

Revelation chapter 12 says there was a war in heaven.

Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV)
⁷  And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸  but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Satan and his angels, fought Michael and his angels, but could not win.

Before that, it said that Satan's tail swept a third of the stars.

Revelation 12:4 (NKJV)
⁴  His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.

meaning 1/3 of the angelic host fell with him in his rebellion, for they rebelled also. Thus scripture lets us know that they were thrown out with Satan, losing their First Estate. If they weren't chained in prison, they would be creating havoc among the people of the Earth. Thank God for this!