An In-depth Explanation

Introduction

Genesis 6 is one of the most mysterious and significant chapters in the Bible. It serves as the bridge between the early creation narrative and the catastrophic flood of Noah. The chapter introduces the concept of human corruption, divine judgment, and God’s plan to reset humanity through Noah and the Ark.

The chapter is divided into four key sections:

The Wickedness of Humanity (Verses 1-4) – The increase in human population and the enigmatic "sons of God" and "Nephilim."
God’s Judgment and Grief Over Humanity’s Sin (Verses 5-7) – God's sorrow over human wickedness.
Noah Finds Favor (Verse 8) – Noah is introduced as the righteous exception.
God’s Instructions for the Ark (Verses 9-22) – The command to build the Ark and prepare for the flood.

1. The Wickedness of Humanity (Genesis 6:1-4)

Verses 1-2: The “Sons of God” and the “Daughters of Men”

"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose."

This passage has been widely debated, with three main interpretations:

The Fallen Angel View – The “sons of God” refer to fallen angels who took human wives, resulting in hybrid offspring called Nephilim. This view is supported by ancient Jewish texts (like the Book of Enoch) and passages like Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4.
The Line of Seth View – The “sons of God” refer to the righteous descendants of Seth, while the “daughters of men” refer to the ungodly descendants of Cain. The sin here is the intermarriage between godly and ungodly people.
The Royalty View – The “sons of God” were powerful rulers or kings who took multiple wives in a tyrannical manner, leading to societal corruption.

Verse 3: God’s Warning About Human Lifespan

"Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.’"

This verse can be understood in two ways:

Lifespan Reduction – God limits the human lifespan to 120 years.
Time Until Judgment – God is giving humanity 120 years before the Flood as a period for repentance.

Verse 4: The Nephilim

"The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown."

The Nephilim (meaning "fallen ones" or "giants") were possibly the offspring of the union between the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men." Some believe they were literal giants, while others see them as tyrannical warriors. The Bible mentions them again in Numbers 13:33, where spies describe the inhabitants of Canaan as Nephilim.

2. God’s Judgment and Grief Over Humanity (Genesis 6:5-7)

Verse 5: The Depth of Human Sinfulness

"The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time."

This verse portrays complete moral corruption. The Hebrew words emphasize the intensity of sin, suggesting that humanity was fully consumed by evil.

Verse 6: God’s Grief

"The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled."

God's "regret" (Hebrew: נָחַם, nacham) does not mean He made a mistake but that He was sorrowful over human rebellion. This anthropomorphic language (assigning human emotions to God) helps us understand God's deep concern for righteousness.

Verse 7: The Announcement of Judgment

"So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds, and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.’"

God declares His intent to judge the world through a flood. The inclusion of animals in the judgment may signify how human sin affects all creation (Romans 8:22).

3. Noah Finds Favor with God (Genesis 6:8)

Verse 8: The Exception – Noah’s Righteousness

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."

Despite widespread corruption, Noah is a righteous remnant. The Hebrew word ḥēn (חֵן) means “grace” or “favor,” emphasizing that Noah’s righteousness is linked to God’s grace rather than his own merit.

4. God’s Instructions for the Ark (Genesis 6:9-22)

Verses 9-10: Noah’s Character and Lineage

"Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God."

Noah's righteousness and blamelessness indicate his obedience to God, contrasting him with the wicked generation around him.

Verses 11-12: The Corruption of the Earth

"Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence."

The Hebrew word for corrupt (שָׁחַת, shachath) suggests total moral decay, especially in social violence and injustice.

Verses 13-17: God’s Command to Build the Ark

God tells Noah to build an ark (a large wooden vessel) to survive the flood. The dimensions:

Length – 300 cubits (~450 feet)
Width – 50 cubits (~75 feet)
Height – 30 cubits (~45 feet)

This design resembles a floating barge, making it highly stable in water.

Verses 18-21: God’s Covenant and Survival Plan

God makes a covenant (the first mention of this word in the Bible) with Noah, promising protection. Noah is commanded to bring:

His family (8 people total).
Pairs of animals (male and female).
Food for survival.

Verse 22: Noah’s Obedience

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him."

This verse highlights Noah’s complete obedience, contrasting with the rest of humanity. His faith is later praised in Hebrews 11:7.

Theological Themes in Genesis 6

The Seriousness of Sin – Human wickedness reached a point where divine intervention was necessary.
God’s Justice and Mercy – While God judged the world, He also provided a way of salvation through Noah.
The Faithfulness of the Righteous – Noah’s obedience serves as a model for believers.
God’s Sovereignty – He controls history and judges sin while preserving His faithful followers.

Conclusion

Genesis 6 is a crucial chapter that sets the stage for the Great Flood. It reveals deep theological truths about human sin, divine judgment, and God's grace. Noah’s faith and obedience stand in stark contrast to the corrupt world around him, foreshadowing the ultimate salvation found in Christ.

BIBLE LIBRARY

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Genesis Chapter 6 An In-depth Explanation