Genesis 6, Summary

Genesis 6

Summary

The population of Earth is growing, and at this time, the "sons of God saw the daughters of men" (v. 2)and began to marry them. In verse 3, the LORD makes the following declaration: "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."

When the "sons of God" had children with the "daughters of men" they were mighty men, men of renown. They are also referred to as "giants" or "Nephilim."

God looks upon the earth, and sees that man is wicked, and that his thoughts are continually on evil. The LORD was grieved at the man He had created and decides to wipe out man and beast, creatures of the earth and fowls of the air. But, verse 8 says, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

God reveals to Noah that He is going to destroy the earth and every living thing on it. He tells Noah to build an ark, and gives him dimensions and descriptions to go by in constructing it. The LORD tells Noah that He will bring a flood upon the earth, which will destroy all flesh that contains the breath of life. But, God shows, He will form a covenant with Noah, his wife, his sons, and his sons' wives. He also commands Noah to take into the ark a male and female of each animal, as well as provisions for food. We are told that Noah did just as the LORD had told him to do.


Observations and Comments

The one passage I have always had problems with is in verse two, where it talks about the "sons of God saw the daughters of men." There are different schools of thought as to what the term "sons of God" meant. One is that the godly line, through Seth, were referred to as the "sons of God," as opposed to the line of Cain, who were ungodly. The second possibility is the view usually accepted in rabbinical circles, that the "sons of God" were actually the male children of civil rulers and magistrates of the region. The third and final option is that these were the fallen angels, who rebelled along with Lucifer and were expelled from heaven. We may never have a satisfactory answer to this question, but one is not absolute in its necessity. It does not change the authority of the Scriptures, or their accuracy. It simply shows another example of the ignorance of man.

The children of these "sons of men" were called giants, or Nephilim in Hebrew. The only other use of the term Nephilim in the Bible is in Numbers 13:33, where the Israelite spies give a false report out of a lack of faith after they do reconnaissance in the Promised Land.

In verse five, it talks about the depravity of men's hearts, which has been a problem since the Fall in the garden of Eden. It is true; every man is filled with sin apart from God, because without God's goodness, there is no virtue. Even our good intentions are nothing more than rubbish. The desire of men's hearts is evil continually, because none will seek to bring glory to God (Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:10-12). He alone deserves honor, praise, dominion, and thanks!