Genesis 6
6
The Corruption of Mankind
1Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2that the #This phrase has been interpreted as a reference to: (a) royalty or rulers possessed by fallen angels, (b) the descendants of Seth who called upon the Lord (see 4:26), or (c) fallen angels (cf Job 1:6).sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and desirable; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose and desired. 3Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt—given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be #This may refer to the time given man to repent before the flood, or to the normative human life span after the flood.a hundred and twenty years.” 4There were Nephilim (men of stature, notorious men) on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they gave birth to their children. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown (great reputation, fame).
5The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. 6The Lord #The expressions of regret and grief seen here do not mean that God acknowledged the creation of man as a mistake on His part. God is omniscient, knowing all things (Ps 139:16) and He knew that mankind would come into sin and wickedness. God grieved over the sin of man because it was appropriate for Him to do so.regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. 7So the Lord said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air—because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord.
9These are the records of the generations (family history) of Noah. Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God. 10Now Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 12God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.
13God said to Noah, “I intend to make an end of all that lives, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I am about to #Enoch (the descendant of Seth, not Cain) had warned these people (Jude 14, 15); Noah had preached righteousness to them (2 Pet 2:5); and God’s Spirit had been struggling with them (Gen 6:3). Yet they had rejected God.destroy them together with the land. 14Make yourself an #The word “ark” comes from a Latin word (arca) for a box or chest. The design of the ark matched its purpose, which was not to travel through the water efficiently, but to be stable and have the greatest possible capacity for cargo. Also, such a vessel could be constructed relatively quickly, because there would be no need to form the wood used for the hull into efficient curves to maximize speed.ark of #The type of wood is unknown. The name of the wood is a transliteration—not a translation—of the Hebrew, with no connection to the English word “gopher.”gopher wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, compartments) and #This prevented water from seeping into the ark through the seams between the wooden planks, and may also have served to protect the wood from becoming saturated with water. Coating the ark with pitch on the outside as well as the inside was very practical. One of the worst jobs on the old wooden ships was to re-coat the inside bottom of the hull when water had seeped in, because the crewman had to quickly pave hot pitch on the hull under the water, which cooled the pitch as he worked and made the job all the more difficult—thus the nautical saying, “the devil (referring to the seam in the hull planking) to pay (i.e. pave with pitch).” The problem was eliminated or minimized on the ark, but Noah, due to his complete inexperience with sea-going vessels, would not even have known about the potential problem himself. It was imperative for him to have absolute faith in God, and to follow God’s directions word for word.coat it inside and out with pitch (bitumen). 15This is the way you are to make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits (450’ x 75’ x 45’). 16You shall make a #Or roof.window [for light and ventilation] for the ark, and finish it to at least a cubit (eighteen inches) from the top—and set the [entry] door of the ark in its side; and you shall make it with lower, second and third decks. 17For behold, I, even I, will bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy all life under the heavens in which there is the breath and spirit of life; everything that is on the land shall die. 18But I will establish My covenant (solemn promise, formal agreement) with you; and you shall come into the ark—you and your [three] sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19And of every living thing [found on land], you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20Of fowls and birds according to their kind, of animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind—two of every kind shall come to you to keep them alive. 21Also take with you every kind of food that is edible, and you shall collect and store it; and it shall be food for you and for them.” 22So Noah did this; according to all that God commanded him, that is what he did.
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Genesis 6
6
God Grieves over Human Wickedness
1When people began to populate the earth, they had many lovely daughters. 2Divine beings # 6:2 Or “the sons of the gods” or “angels of God” (LXX). This is one of the most difficult verses in Genesis to interpret. There is much debate over the identity of these divine beings, yet we see that they are linked to the “Nephilim (giants),” the corrupting of the divine “seed of the woman” who was to come (Gen. 3:16), and the judgment of God through the flood. Many scholars view “the sons of the gods” as sons of Seth (the godly lineage), but the line of Seth is nowhere stated to be a godly line; in fact, only Noah was considered righteous in God’s eyes. Other scholars see them as a reference to a group of fallen angels “in rebellion who went outside their rightful domain of authority and abandoned their appointed realms” to have sexual relations with women (Judah [Jude] 6). Consequently, God “threw them into the lowest, darkest dungeon of gloom and locked them in chains” (2 Peter 2:4–5). The argument that they could not be fallen angels because angels cannot marry (see Matt. 22:30) is in reference to angels who are in heaven, not the angels who came to earth as part of Satan’s plan to cohabitate with women and corrupt the human race. Virtually all of the earliest writings of Jewish and Christian literature interpret the phrase “the sons of the gods” as heavenly beings known as fallen angels or “watchers.” See also Job 1:6; 2:1; 4:18–19; 38:7; Dead Sea scrolls 1QapGen, 4QDtj and 4QDtq; the Damascus Document 4Q180; the Book of Jubilees; 2 Baruch; the Book of Enoch; the Jewish historian Josephus; and church fathers Justin Martyr, Eusebius, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. The coming of the Lord (Gr. parousia) is also going to take place in a time just like the days of Noah (see Gen. 6). found them very appealing, so they took the women they wanted as their wives.
3Yahweh said, “My Spirit # 6:3 Or “breath.” will not strive # 6:3 Or “shield man [from judgment].” Although many scholars translate this hapax legomenon as “abide,” the cognate Akkadian word means to “shield” or “protect.” with humanity indefinitely, # 6:3 Or “forever.” for they are mortal. Their life span will be shortened to only one hundred and twenty years.” # 6:3 Or “they will only live another one hundred and twenty years,” possibly a prophecy of when the flood was coming.
4Back then, and later, there were giants # 6:4 This is the Hebrew word Nephilim. The triliteral root is also used for “fallen ones.” They appear to be the offspring of the “divine beings” and women (v. 2). They were monsters of iniquity, meant to corrupt the earth and destroy the godly “seed” (Gen. 3:15). There are only two ways to kill giants in the Bible: (1) like David, prophesy their downfall, run straight toward them, knock them down, and cut off their heads (see 1 Sam. 17:41–51), or (2) like Caleb and Joshua, conquer them, and see them as “bread” to strengthen us (Num. 14:9). See also Num. 13–14. David also raised up giant killers among his mighty men (see 2 Sam. 21:18–22; 1 Chron. 20:4–8). on the earth, who were born as a result of the unholy union of heavenly beings with the human daughters. They were the mighty ones of old, warriors of renown.
5But Yahweh saw how extremely wicked humanity had become, for they imagined only evil, for all they thought about was doing evil all the time. 6And Yahweh was saddened # 6:6 Or “God sighed within himself” or “God regretted.” This is the Hebrew word nacham, which is nearly impossible to translate adequately into English. It is a word that expresses grief, comfort, compassion, and hope all at the same time. God felt all of these emotions over the creation of man. God’s heart was filled with sorrow, compassion, and hope, not simply anger. that he had made humanity, and his heart was filled with pain. 7So Yahweh decided, “I will do away with my ruined creation—human beings that I created—people and animals, creeping things and flying birds, for it breaks my heart that I made them!”
8But one man discovered grace # 6:8 Or “Noah found favor.” The Hebrew word for “favor” is the name Noah written backwards, an obvious Hebrew play on words. before the face of Yahweh: Noah. # 6:8 Noah found another age—the age of grace. He laid hold of grace and knew that God was merciful, even in an age of judgment and wickedness. It is possible to translate this sentence “Noah laid hold of grace in the eyes of Yahweh.” It was not the virtue of Noah that saved him, but the grace of God. This is the first mention of grace in the Bible.
Noah Pleases God
9This is the story of Noah.
Noah was a godly man of integrity, without fault in his generation, # 6:9 Ezekiel described Noah as one of the godliest of men (see Ezek. 14:14, 20). No matter how evil the world may be around us, God has enough grace to purify our hearts and enable us to live godly lives for his glory. and he lived close to God. 10Noah had three sons, Shem, # 6:10 Shem, from whom descended the Semitic races, means “name,” “upright,” “brilliant,” “prosperity,” or “dignity.” According to some Jewish traditions and rabbinical teachings, Shem is sometimes identified as Melchizedek (B. Talmud Nedarim 32b; Genesis Rabbah 46:7; Genesis Rabbah 56:10; Leviticus Rabbah 25:6; Numbers Rabbah 4:8). Jesus was a descendant of Shem (see Luke 3:23–38). The Book of Jubilees mentions Shem’s wife, who survived the flood, as Sedeqetelebab. It also states that each of Noah’s three sons built cities named after their wives. Ham, # 6:10 Ham means “hot,” “he raged,” or “tumult.” The Egyptian word for “Ham” is “servant.” The historian Josephus states that the Hamites populated northern Africa and adjoining regions of Asia. Egypt is called the land of Ham (see Ps. 105:23, 27). The Book of Jubilees mentions Ham’s wife, who survived the flood, as Na’eltama’uk. Pakistan claims to have Ham’s burial site, and its people considered him to be a prophet. and Japheth. # 6:10 Japheth means “let him spread out,” “enlargement,” “increase,” or “expansion.” Japheth is taken from a root word for “beautiful.” He is considered the father of the European, Anatolian, and East Asian peoples. In Greek tradition, he is considered the ancestor of the Greeks. The Book of Jubilees mentions Japheth’s wife as ‘Adataneses.
11Injustice and violence filled the world; the earth was ruined # 6:11 That is, everyone had corrupted their lives with wickedness. in the sight of God, 12for he saw how debased the world had become, for everyone was corrupt to the core. 13So God said to Noah, # 6:13 God spoke directly with Noah seven times in this narrative. “I have decided # 6:13 Or “It is in front of me” or “The time of every man is come before me” (LXX). that all living creatures must die, for their violence has filled the earth, and I will wipe them off the face of the earth! 14-15Build a boat for yourself—an ark # 6:14–15 The Hebrew word for “ark” (tevah) is found seven times in this chapter and seven times in ch. 8. of sturdy timber. # 6:14–15 Or “gopher wood,” possibly cypress or cedar. And this is how you are to design it: make separate compartments # 6:14–15 Or “nests.” within it, and seal # 6:14–15 This is the Hebrew word kopher, which has a homonym that means “atonement.” Noah was told to seal (lit. “atone for”) the ark, as it were, in the atonement. Christ’s blood now preserves us from judgment. He endured judgment in our place, and we are now sealed until we experience full salvation (see Eph. 4:30). This homonym also has the meaning of “henna.” Jesus is like a bouquet of henna (atonement, see Song. 1:14). it inside and out with thick tar. The length is to be 450 feet, its width 75 feet, and its height 45 feet. # 6:14–15 Or “300 cubits long [130 meters], 50 cubits wide [22 meters], and 30 cubits high [13 meters].” The Hebrew word for “cubit” literally means “forearm.” The measurement of a cubit is thought to be about 18–20 inches (45–50 cm). This suggests a vessel of over 43,000 tons. See A. Heidel, The Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels, 1946, p. 236. Even with the smallest estimate for a cubit, the ark would have three floors of 33,750 square feet each, making a total space of over 101,000 square feet. 16Cover it with a roof, # 6:16 Or “Make a window.” The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain. but leave a gap of eighteen inches # 6:16 Or “one cubit” (45–60 cm). at the top for ventilation. Construct a door on the side of the ark, and design it with lower, middle, and upper decks. 17I am going to release a great flood that will destroy all life upon the earth, and every breathing thing under heaven will perish—everything on earth will die. 18But as for you, I will establish my covenant of friendship, and you will escape destruction by coming into the ark, # 6:18 Noah’s ark is a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ. It was made from sturdy wood (the humanity of Christ, see Isa. 53:2) and is sealed with tar (blood atonement). It was a place of salvation and preservation (Jesus our Savior). As man was invited into the ark to find a place of security from judgment, so we are hidden in Christ (see Col. 3:3). All who entered the ark were kept safe and none perished. The dimensions of the ark are significant. It was 300 cubits long (300 is the number of complete victory in Christ [see Judg. 7:7–22; 1 Kings 10:17; Mark 14:3–6]), 50 cubits wide (50 is the number of Jubilee and Pentecost [see Acts 2]), and 30 cubits high (30 is the number of maturity, authority, and full stature [see Gen. 41:46; 2 Sam. 5:4; 1 Kings 6:2; Luke 3:23], and priests began their ministry at 30). The ark only had one door, and there is only one door of salvation (see John 10:9; 14:6). The door was on the side of the ark, and Jesus’ side was pierced (see John 19:34). There were three stories or levels to Noah’s ark, which points to a full salvation for man’s body, soul, and spirit (see 1 Thess. 5:23; Noah’s family lived on the third level). There were many rooms (“compartments”) in the ark, and there are many rooms in the Father’s house (Gen. 6:14–15; see John 14:1–3). The ark came to rest in the seventh month on the seventeenth day. The Passover was the fourteenth day of the seventh month, and three days later (the seventeenth day) was the resurrection (Christ “resting” on high). The ark rested on Mt. Ararat, which means “the curse is reversed” or “high and holy land.” To be “in the ark” is to be “in Christ” (see Eph. 1–3). The Bible mentions three arks, and each point to Christ: Noah’s ark, the ark for baby Moses (see Ex. 2:2–3), and the ark of the covenant (see Ex. 25:10–22). you and your wife, your sons and their wives. 19Bring with you into the ark a pair of every animal, male and female; and they will also be spared. 20Different kinds of birds, animals large and small # 6:20 Or “animals, and creeping things [everything that walks or moves on the ground].” —two of every kind I will send to you to be kept alive. 21Also take with you every kind of food, both for you and them.”
22So Noah completed all these preparations and did everything exactly as God had commanded him. # 6:22 Noah’s response to the grace of God was obedience to his commands. This phrase is repeated four times concerning Noah (see Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 8–9, 16). It is God’s grace that leads us to obedience, not independence. See Phil. 2:12–13.
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