King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Complete Jewish Bible:
the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were attractive; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
Berean Standard Bible:
the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.
American Standard Version:
that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
That the sons{H1121} of God{H430} saw{H7200} the daughters{H1323} of men{H120} that they{H2007} were fair{H2896}; and they took{H3947} them wives{H802} of all which they chose{H977}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 82:6
- ¶ I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.
Psalms 82:7
- But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
1 John 2:16
- For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Romans 9:7
- Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Romans 9:8
- That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
2 Peter 2:14
- Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Nehemiah 13:24
- And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 6:2
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine-Human Interaction:** The verse references "sons of God" interacting with "daughters of men," which has been interpreted as a union between divine or heavenly beings and human women.
- **Moral Corruption:** This passage is often associated with the increase of wickedness on earth, leading up to the story of the Great Flood. The intermarriage is seen as symbolic of the moral decline of humanity.
- **Purity vs. Corruption:** The narrative raises questions about purity, both in terms of lineage and righteousness, and the potential for corruption when the sacred mixes with the profane.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Ancient Near Eastern Background:** The concept of "sons of God" marrying human women may reflect mythological motifs common in the ancient Near East, where gods often mated with humans.
- **Pre-Flood Earth:** Genesis 6:2 is set in the period before the Great Flood, a time when human wickedness had become so great that God resolved to reset creation through the catastrophic event of the flood.
- **Interpretive Debates:** The identity of the "sons of God" has been a subject of theological debate. Some interpret them as the godly line of Seth, while others see them as angelic or heavenly beings. The verse's interpretation can significantly vary among different religious traditions and scholars.
- **Textual Significance:** This verse sets the stage for the account of the Nephilim, often translated as "giants" or "mighty men," who are mentioned immediately after, and is integral to understanding the escalation of sin that prompted divine judgment.
In summary, Genesis 6:2 touches on the themes of divine-human relations, moral decay, and the tension between purity and corruption, against the backdrop of an ancient world where such mythological narratives were not uncommon. The verse is a pivotal point in the narrative leading to the flood, reflecting the dire state of humanity's moral condition in the eyes of God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H2007
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הֵנָּה
Transliteration: hênnâh
Pronunciation: hane'-naw
Description: prolongation for הֵן; themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation); [idiom] in, [idiom] such (and such things), their, (into) them, thence, therein, these, they (had), on this side, whose, wherein. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H977
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּחַר
Transliteration: bâchar
Pronunciation: baw-khar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.