Genesis 6
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1When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2God’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil. 6Yahweh was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart. 7Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favor in Yahweh’s eyes. 9This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. 10Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13God said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them and the earth. 14Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch. 15This is how you shall make it. The length of the ship shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels. 17I, even I, do bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the sky. Everything that is in the earth will die. 18But I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive. 21Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.” 22Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
World English Bible (public domain)
“The LORD said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years."”
Genesis 6:3
Summary
In Genesis chapter 6, we encounter a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative as the wickedness of humanity becomes overwhelming. The chapter begins by describing how the sons of God took the daughters of men as wives, leading to a blending of the human and the divine that resulted in great corruption on the earth. God observes the extent of human evil and decides to limit human lifespan to 120 years, indicating a significant shift in His relationship with humanity. The mention of the Nephilim, mighty men of renown, raises questions about the nature of these beings and the context of their existence in relation to God's creation. As God prepares to cleanse the earth of its wickedness, He finds favor in Noah, whom He deems righteous amidst the corruption. God communicates His plan to Noah, warning him of the impending flood that will cleanse the earth of its violence and sin. He instructs Noah to build an ark to save himself, his family, and pairs of every living creature. This relationship between God and Noah emphasizes themes of grace and obedience, illustrating how faithfulness to God can lead to salvation. The theological significance of Genesis 6 revolves around God's justice and mercy. While He punishes ungodliness, He simultaneously provides a means of redemption through Noah. This chapter foreshadows the great flood and the covenant that God will establish with Noah afterward, showcasing the dual nature of God's character — as both a judge and a savior. Overall, Genesis 6 serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative of creation, setting the stage for God's redemptive plan through Noah and the eventual restoration of the world.
Key Themes
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