Genesis 6
When the number of people started to increase throughout the fertile land, daughters were born to them. 2 The divine beings saw how beautiful these human women were, so they married the ones they chose. 3 The Lord said, “My breath will not remain in humans forever, because they are flesh. They will live one hundred twenty years.” 4 In those days, giants lived on the earth and also afterward, when divine beings and human daughters had sexual relations and gave birth to children. These were the ancient heroes, famous men.
5 The Lord saw that humanity had become thoroughly evil on the earth and that every idea their minds thought up was always completely evil. 6 The Lord regretted making human beings on the earth, and he was heartbroken. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe off of the land the human race that I’ve created: from human beings to livestock to the crawling things to the birds in the skies, because I regret I ever made them.” 8 But as for Noah, the Lord approved of him.
9 These are Noah’s descendants. In his generation, Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 In God’s sight, the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. 12 God saw that the earth was corrupt, because all creatures behaved corruptly on the earth.
13 God said to Noah, “The end has come for all creatures, since they have filled the earth with violence. I am now about to destroy them along with the earth, 14 so make a wooden ark. Make the ark with nesting places and cover it inside and out with tar. 15 This is how you should make it: four hundred fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. 16 Make a roof for the ark and complete it one foot from the top. Put a door in its side. In the hold below, make the second and third decks.
17 “I am now bringing the floodwaters over the earth to destroy everything under the sky that breathes. Everything on earth is about to take its last breath. 18 But I will set up my covenant with you. You will go into the ark together with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives. 19 From all living things—from all creatures—you are to bring a pair, male and female, into the ark with you to keep them alive. 20 From each kind of bird, from each kind of livestock, and from each kind of everything that crawls on the ground—a pair from each will go in with you to stay alive. 21 Take some from every kind of food and stow it as food for you and for the animals.”
22 Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.
Genesis 6 Meaning
Genesis 6 focuses on the wickedness of humanity and God’s decision to bring a flood to cleanse the earth. It also introduces us to Noah, a righteous man whom God chose to save along with his family and the animals.
Also Read: Genesis 5 Meaning and Commentary
Genesis 6 Commentary and Explanation
Genesis 6 is a significant chapter in the Bible that delves into the story of Noah and the events leading up to the great flood. It’s a passage that reveals God’s response to the widespread corruption and evil that had taken root among humanity.
The chapter begins by highlighting the increasing wickedness prevailing on the earth. The human population had multiplied, but instead of pursuing righteousness, people became corrupt in their ways. Their thoughts and actions were consistently evil, grieving God’s heart. This rampant wickedness deeply troubled the Lord.
We see in this passage that God, in His justice and righteousness, decided to bring judgment upon the earth through a catastrophic flood. However, despite the prevalent evil, He found favor in Noah, a righteous man who walked faithfully with God. Noah was chosen to build an ark to save himself, his family, and representatives of all living creatures.
The reference to the Nephilim in this chapter has led to various interpretations. Some believe they were fallen angels, while others argue they were mighty warriors. This mention, however, serves to highlight the growing depravity and corruption during that time.
The Lord’s decision to send the flood reflects His holiness and judgment against sin. The magnitude of His sorrow and disappointment with humanity demonstrates the seriousness of sin in His sight. The floodwaters serve as a purifying agent, wiping out the wickedness from the earth while preserving a remnant through Noah and his family.
Throughout the Bible, there are connections to this narrative. For instance, Jesus Himself referenced the days of Noah as a parallel to the end times, highlighting the importance of readiness and the suddenness of God’s judgment (Matthew 24:37-39). The ark also serves as a symbol of salvation, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance found in Christ.
This chapter in Genesis serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, His righteous judgment, and His mercy toward those who walk faithfully with Him. It emphasizes the consequences of sin and the importance of living a life pleasing to God amidst a world filled with corruption.
Ultimately, Genesis 6 prompts us to reflect on our own lives, considering our actions, thoughts, and the state of our hearts. It urges us to seek righteousness, walk faithfully with God, and find refuge in His salvation, just as Noah found favor and was saved from the floodwaters.
Context of Genesis 6
Genesis 6 is situated within the early chapters of the book of Genesis, which is the first book of the Bible. This chapter plays a pivotal role in the larger narrative of Genesis as it marks a significant turning point in human history.
Genesis, particularly chapters 1-11, lays the foundation for understanding the origins of the world, humanity, and the relationship between God and mankind. It begins with the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2, detailing God’s creation of the heavens, the earth, and all living beings, culminating in the creation of humanity, Adam and Eve, who were made in the image of God.
Genesis 3 narrates the fall of humanity. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, leading to sin entering the world and causing a rupture in their relationship with God.
As the narrative progresses, Genesis 4 and 5 trace the genealogy from Adam to Noah, highlighting key figures and events leading up to the time of Noah.
Genesis 6 then describes the state of humanity before the flood. It depicts a world where sin and corruption had become widespread and deeply ingrained. The people had turned away from God, embracing evil and immorality in their thoughts and actions. This deterioration in moral values and the pervasiveness of sin grieved God’s heart, prompting Him to consider judgment upon the earth.
The chapter introduces Noah, a righteous man, as a pivotal figure chosen by God to build an ark. Noah found favor in God’s eyes amidst a generation engulfed in wickedness. He is instructed by God to build an ark to save himself, his family, and representatives of every kind of living creature from the impending flood.
Genesis 6 thus sets the stage for the account of the great flood in subsequent chapters, where God brings judgment upon the earth while preserving Noah and those with him in the ark, marking a new beginning for humanity after the floodwaters recede.
The narrative in Genesis 6 serves as a crucial transition point in the bible, illustrating God’s response to human sinfulness, His justice, His sovereignty, and His mercy in preserving a remnant through Noah amid a world consumed by evil.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 6
a) The wickedness of humanity: Genesis 6:5-6 highlights the extent of the wickedness that had infiltrated humanity. Every thought and inclination of their hearts was evil all the time. This verse demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the need for God’s intervention.
b) God’s regret and troubled heart: Genesis 6:6 shows us that God’s heart was deeply troubled by the wickedness he saw on the earth. It does not mean that God made a mistake in creating humans. Rather, it reveals the sorrow God felt at seeing his creation turn away from him.
c) Noah’s favor with God: Genesis 6:8 introduces us to Noah, a righteous man who found favor in God’s eyes. Noah’s righteousness and obedience set him apart from the rest of humanity. Because of Noah’s faithfulness, God chose him to be the one who would bring about the preservation of life through the ark.
Bible Study on Genesis 6
Expanding our understanding of Genesis 6 requires us to delve deeper into the historical and cultural context of the passage. The chapter begins with the “sons of God” marrying the “daughters of men,” which has been subject to various interpretations. Some scholars believe that these are fallen angels who intermarried with humans, while others see them as the righteous line of Seth intermarrying with the unrighteous line of Cain. However, the primary focus of this passage is not the origin of these relationships but the corruption and wickedness that ensued.
It is important to note that God’s decision to bring the flood was not impulsive or rash. It came after much patience and grace, giving humanity ample opportunity to repent and turn back to him. God’s judgment is always preceded by mercy, and we see this clearly in the story of Noah. God saw Noah’s righteousness and chose to save him and his family.
Noah’s faithfulness is a powerful example for us today. In a world filled with wickedness and evil, we are called to stand firm in our faith and obedience to God. Noah’s obedience to God’s command to build the ark, even in the face of ridicule and disbelief, is a testimony to his unwavering trust in God. We can learn from his example and trust in God’s faithfulness, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.
Final Thoughts
Genesis 6 reminds us of the consequences of sin and the importance of righteousness. It shows us that God’s judgment is always just and that He will ultimately bring justice to the earth. However, the story of Noah also points us to the hope and salvation offered through faithfulness to God.
As Christians, we are called to be a light in a dark world, just as Noah was. We must strive to live lives of righteousness and obedience, trusting in God’s plan even when it seems impossible or unpopular. Despite the global corruption depicted in Genesis 6, God saw Noah’s faithfulness and chose to save him.
This gives us hope that even in the midst of widespread wickedness, God is able to bring about redemption and restoration. Let us hold fast to our faith, knowing that God is faithful to those who seek Him.