Thoughts concerning Genesis 6:1-3

[Complete]

'And it came to pass,
when men ('men' = singular - 'the man Adam')
began to multiply on the face of the earth (ground),
and daughters were born unto them,(Adam and Eve)
That the sons of God (Angels in contrast to man)
saw the daughters of men (singular = of Adam)
that they were fair;
and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the LORD said,
My spirit (ruach)
shall not always strive with (remain in)
man, (the man Adam)
for that he also (the man Adam also, as well as the others)
is flesh: (if taken as a verb:- 'in their erring' - Adam had become as the others)
yet his days (Adam's days)
shall be an hundred and twenty years.'
(Genesis 6:1-3)

* The red lettering is taken from the marginal notes in my Bible, which I share simply for comment, should you wish. The following is from appendix notes, concerning 'the hundred and twenty years' of Genesis 6:3:-

These are generally taken as meaning 120 years before the Flood. But this mistake has been made by not observing that the word for 'men' in Genesis 6:1, 2 is in the singular number with the definite article, as in v.3, 'man', and means 'the man Adam.'The word 'also' clearly refers to him. It has no meaning if 'men' be read, in the plural. It means, and can mean, only that Adam himself, 'also', as well as the rest of mankind, had 'corrupted his way'. If 'men' be the meaning, then it may be well asked, who are the others indicated by the word 'also'?​

​

In Gen. 2:17, the Lord God had declared that Adam should die. Here, in Genesis 6, it was made more clear that though he had lived 810 years he should surely die; and that his breath, or the spirit of life from God, should not for ever remain in him. (see noted on Gen. 6)​

​

This fixes the chronology of v.3, and shows that long before that time, A.M.810, and even before Enoch, this irruption of fallen angels had taken place. This was the cause of all the 'ungodliness' against which the prophecy of Enoch was directed in Jude 14, and which ultimately brought on the fulfilment of his prophecy in the Judgment of the Flood. (see Ap. 23 and 25). ​

* Taken from' The Companion Bible' appendix - https://levendwater.org/companion/index_companion.html

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[101G]

'And it came to pass,
when men ('men' = singular - 'the man Adam')
began to multiply on the face of the earth (ground),
and daughters were born unto them,(Adam and Eve)
That the sons of God (Angels in contrast to man)
saw the daughters of men (singular = of Adam)
that they were fair;
and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the LORD said,
My spirit (ruach)
shall not always strive with (remain in)
man, (the man Adam)
for that he also (the man Adam also, as well as the others)
is flesh: (if taken as a verb:- 'in their erring' - Adam had become as the others)
yet his days (Adam's days)
shall be an hundred and twenty years.'
(Genesis 6:1-3)

* The red lettering is taken from the marginal notes in my Bible, which I share simply for comment, should you wish. The following is from appendix notes, concerning 'the hundred and twenty years' of Genesis 6:3:-

These are generally taken as meaning 120 years before the Flood. But this mistake has been made by not observing that the word for 'men' in Genesis 6:1, 2 is in the singular number with the definite article, as in v.3, 'man', and means 'the man Adam.'The word 'also' clearly refers to him. It has no meaning if 'men' be read, in the plural. It means, and can mean, only that Adam himself, 'also', as well as the rest of mankind, had 'corrupted his way'. If 'men' be the meaning, then it may be well asked, who are the others indicated by the word 'also'?​

​

In Gen. 2:17, the Lord God had declared that Adam should die. Here, in Genesis 6, it was made more clear that though he had lived 810 years he should surely die; and that his breath, or the spirit of life from God, should not for ever remain in him. (see noted on Gen. 6)​

​

This fixes the chronology of v.3, and shows that long before that time, A.M.810, and even before Enoch, this irruption of fallen angels had taken place. This was the cause of all the 'ungodliness' against which the prophecy of Enoch was directed in Jude 14, and which ultimately brought on the fulfilment of his prophecy in the Judgment of the Flood. (see Ap. 23 and 25). ​

* Taken from' The Companion Bible' appendix - https://levendwater.org/companion/index_companion.html

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

not saying that you're right or wrong but consider this. a thousand years is like a "DAY" to God, for the scripture stated, Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

well he didn't make it beyond a "DAY". Psalms 90:4 "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."

2 Peter 3:8 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

in MUCH G.L.

101G.

 

[atpollard]

Commentary by ROBERT JAMIESON​

CHAPTER 6​

Gen 6:1-22. WICKEDNESS OF THE WORLD.

2. the sons of God saw the daughters of men--By the former is meant the family of Seth, who were professedly religious; by the latter, the descendants of apostate Cain. Mixed marriages between parties of opposite principles and practice were necessarily sources of extensive corruption. The women, religious themselves, would as wives and mothers exert an influence fatal to the existence of religion in their household, and consequently the people of that later age sank to the lowest depravity.


3. flesh--utterly, hopelessly debased.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive--Christ, as God, had by His Spirit inspiring Enoch, Noah, and perhaps other prophets ( 1Pe 3:20 2Pe 2:5 Jud 1:14 ), preached repentance to the antediluvians; but they were incorrigible.
yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years--It is probable that the corruption of the world, which had now reached its height, had been long and gradually increasing, and this idea receives support from the long respite granted.

 

[atpollard]

Matthew Henry Commentary

Gen 6:1-2


For the glory of God's justice, and for warning to a wicked world, before the history of the ruin of the old world, we have a full account of its degeneracy, its apostasy from God and rebellion against him. The destroying of it was an act, not of an absolute sovereignty, but of necessary justice, for the maintaining of the honour of God's government. Now here we have an account of two things which occasioned the wickedness of the old world:-

• 1. The increase of mankind: Men began to multiply upon the face of the earth. This was the effect of the blessing (ch. 1:28), and yet man's corruption so abused and perverted this blessing that it was turned into a curse. Thus sin takes occasion by the mercies of God to be the more exceedingly sinful. Prov. 29:16, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth. The more sinners the more sin; and the multitude of offenders emboldens men. Infectious diseases are most destructive in populous cities; and sin is a spreading leprosy. Thus in the New-Testament church, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring (Acts 6:1), and we read of a nation that was multiplied, not to the increase of their joy, Isa. 9:3. Numerous families need to be well-governed, lest they become wicked families.
• 2. Mixed marriages (v. 2): The sons of God (that is, the professors of religion, who were called by the name of the Lord, and called upon that name), married the daughters of men, that is, those that were profane, and strangers to God and godliness. The posterity of Seth did not keep by themselves, as they ought to have done, both for the preservation of their own purity and in detestation of the apostasy. They intermingled themselves with the excommunicated race of Cain: They took them wives of all that they chose.But what was amiss in these marriages?
  • (1.) They chose only by the eye: They saw that they were fair, which was all they looked at.
  • (2.) They followed the choice which their own corrupt affections made: they took all that they chose, without advice and consideration. But,
  • (3.) That which proved of such bad consequence to them was that they married strange wives, were unequally yoked with unbelievers, 2 Co. 6:14. This was forbidden to Israel, Deu. 7:3, 4. It was the unhappy occasion of Solomon's apostasy (1 Ki. 11:1-4), and was of bad consequence to the Jews after their return out of Babylon, Ezra 9:1, 2. Note, Professors of religion, in marrying both themselves and their children, should make conscience of keeping within the bounds of profession. The bad will sooner debauch the good than the good reform the bad. Those that profess themselves the children of God must not marry without his consent, which they have not if they join in affinity with his enemies.

Gen 6:3


This comes in here as a token of God's displeasure at those who married strange wives; he threatens to withdraw from them his Spirit, whom they had grieved by such marriages, contrary to their convictions: fleshly lusts are often punished with spiritual judgments, the sorest of all judgments. Or as another occasion of the great wickedness of the old world; the Spirit of the Lord, being provoked by their resistance of his motions, ceased to strive with them, and then all religion was soon lost among them. This he warns them of before, that they might not further vex his Holy Spirit, but by their prayers might stay him with them. Observe in this verse,

• I. God's resolution not always to strive with man by his Spirit. The Spirit then strove by Noah's preaching (1 Pt. 3:19, 20) and by inward checks, but it was in vain with the most of men; therefore, says God, He shall not always strive.Note,
  • 1. The blessed Spirit strives with sinners, by the convictions and admonitions of conscience, to turn them from sin to God.
  • 2. If the Spirit be resisted, quenched, and striven against, though he strive long, he will not strive always, Hos. 4:17.
  • 3. Those are ripening apace for ruin whom the Spirit of grace has left off striving with.
• II. The reason of this resolution: For that he also is flesh, that is, incurably corrupt, and carnal, and sensual, so that it is labour lost to strive with him. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? He also,that is, All, one as well as another, they have all sunk into the mire of flesh. Note,
  • 1. It is the corrupt nature, and the inclination of the soul towards the flesh, that oppose the Spirit's strivings and render them ineffectual.
  • 2. When a sinner has long adhered to that interest, and sided with the flesh against the Spirit, the Spirit justly withdraws his agency, and strives no more. None lose the Spirit's strivings but those that have first forfeited them.
• III. A reprieve granted, notwithstanding: Yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years; so long I will defer the judgment they deserve, and give them space to prevent it by their repentance and reformation. Justice said, Cut them down; but mercy interceded, Lord, let them alone this year also; and so far mercy prevailed, that a reprieve was obtained for six-score years. Note, The time of God's patience and forbearance towards provoking sinners is sometimes long, but always limited: reprieves are not pardons; though God bear a great while, he will not bear always.

 

[atpollard]

David Guzik Study Guide

A. The wickedness of man in the days of Noah.​

1. (Genesis 6:1-2) Intermarriage between the sons of God and the daughters of men.


Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.


a. When men began to multiply on the face of the earth: During these days of rapid population expansion (especially because of long lifespans in the pre-flood world), there was a problem with ungodly intermarriage between the sons of God and the daughters of men.


b. The sons of God saw the daughters of men: Many have believed the sons of God were those from the line of Seth, and the daughters of men were from the line of Cain, and this describes an intermarriage between the godly and the ungodly, something God specifically prohibits (Deuteronomy 7:1-4, 2 Corinthians 6:14).


i. But this approach leaves many unanswered questions: Why did this make God angry enough to wipe out almost all the earth’s population? Why was there something unusual about the offspring of these unions (Genesis 6:4)? The idea that these were believers marrying unbelievers doesn’t seem to fit the record of the text.


c. The sons of God saw the daughters of men: It is more accurate to see the sons of God as either demons (angels in rebellion against God) or uniquely demon-possessed men, and the daughters of men as human women.


i. The phrase sons of God clearly refers to angelic creatures when it is used the three other times in the Old Testament (Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7). The translators of the Septuagint translated sons of God as angels. Those ancient translators clearly thought sons of God referred to angelic beings, not to people descended from Seth.


ii. Jude 6 tells us of the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own habitation. Jude goes on (Jude 7) to tell us they sinned in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh. Here in Genesis 6, as in Sodom and Gomorrah, there was an unnatural sexual union.


iii. It is useless to speculate on the nature of this union. Whether it was brought about by something like demon possession, or whether these angelic beings had power permanently to assume the form of men is not revealed. But we should understand the occult is filled with sexual associations with the demonic, and there are those today who actively pursue such associations.


iv. Jude 6 also makes it clear what God did with these wicked angels. They are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day for not keeping their proper place. Their sinful pursuit of freedom has put them in bondage.


v. 1 Peter 3:19-20 tells us Jesus went to these disobedient spirits in their prison and proclaimed His victory on the cross over them.


vi. An objection offered to this understanding is found in Matthew 22:30, where Jesus said angels neither marry nor are given in marriage; but Jesus never said angels were sexless, and He was also speaking about faithful angelic beings (angels of God in heaven), not rebellious ones.


vii. From the book of 1 Enoch, which is not inspired scripture, but may still contain some accurate accounts: “And it came to pass that the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: ‘Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children… ’ [They] took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments… And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants… And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways.”


d. And they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose: We can deduce why Satan sent his angels to intermarry (either directly or indirectly) with human women. Satan tried to pollute the genetic pool of mankind with a satanic corruption, to put something like a genetic virus to make the human race unfit for bringing forth the Seed of the woman — the Messiah — promised in Genesis 3:15.


i. “The Savior could not be born of a demon-possessed mother. So if Satan could succeed in infecting the entire race, the deliverer could not come.” (Boice)


ii. And Satan almost succeeded. The race was so polluted that God found it necessary to start again with Noah and his sons, and to imprison the demons that did this so they could never do this again.


2. (Genesis 6:3-4) God’s response to this great wickedness.


And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.


a. My Spirit shall not strive with man forever: God did not allow the human race to stay in this rebellious place forever. This means there is a point of no return in our rejection of God. God will not woo us forever; there is a point where He will say “no more.”


i. All the more reason for us to say today is the day we will respond to Jesus instead of waiting for another day. We have no promise God will draw us some other day.


b. Yet his days will be one hundred and twenty years: This is not the outside lifespan of man but the time left until the judgment of the flood. The flood happened 120 years after this announcement.


c. Giants on the earth in those days: This refers to the unnatural offspring of the union between the sons of God and the daughters of men, though there were people of unusual size on the earth both before and after the flood (and also afterward). These ones before the flood were unique because of the demonic element of their parentage. They were the mighty men of old, men of renown.

 

[atpollard]

Proverbs 24:5-6 [ESV] A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.