Genesis6

Mankind's wickedness and corruption grew exceedingly great on the earth, grieving the Lord's heart. Consequently, God determined to destroy all flesh by a flood, but Noah, a just man, found grace in His eyes. The Lord then commanded Noah to build an ark, providing specific instructions for its construction and the preservation of his family and all living creatures. Noah faithfully obeyed God's every command.
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The Corruption of Mankind

1
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. ​
3
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. ​
4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. ​

God’s Grief and Judgment Declared

5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ​
6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. ​
7
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. ​

The Generations of Noah

9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. ​
10
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ​
12
And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

God Commands the Building of the Ark

13
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ​
14
Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. ​
15
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. ​
16
A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
18
But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. ​
19
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
20
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
22
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 6

Verse 2

The identity of the 'sons of God' (*bnei elohim*) is highly debated, generally understood either as a class of divine beings (fallen angels) or as the righteous line of Seth intermarrying with the wicked line of Cain. This illicit union is presented as a major catalyst for the subsequent widespread wickedness.

Verse 3

This verse limits the lifespan of humanity to 120 years, possibly referring to the maximum age of the post-Flood era, or setting a deadline (120 years) until the Flood judgment would commence. The limitation emphasizes that humanity, being 'flesh,' cannot indefinitely resist the striving of God's Spirit.

Verse 4

The 'giants' (*Nephilim*) are described as the offspring of the unions in v. 2. The term literally means 'fallen ones' or 'those who cause others to fall,' often denoting powerful, tyrannical figures who were 'men of renown' (famous for their violence or power).

Verse 5

This verse establishes the theological justification for the Flood. The judgment is based on God observing that human wickedness was not merely external but total, constantly affecting the deepest intentions ('every imagination of the thoughts of his heart').

Verse 6

The anthropomorphism ('it repented the LORD') expresses God’s profound sorrow and emotional pain over man’s rebellion. This does not imply a change in God’s nature, but rather a necessary change in his relationship and action toward creation due to sin.

Verse 8

This verse is a crucial turning point, introducing the theme of salvation amidst judgment. Noah found 'grace' (*chen*), meaning unmerited favor, highlighting that his preservation was rooted in God's sovereign choice, even though Noah was subsequently described as righteous.

Verse 9

This is the *toledot* (generations) formula, marking a major structural division in Genesis. Noah is characterized as 'just' (*tzaddiq*) and 'perfect' (*tamim*), meaning ethically upright and complete in his covenant relationship with God, contrasting him with the corrupt world.

Verse 11

The two primary descriptions of the wickedness requiring divine intervention are 'corrupt' (*shachat*) and 'violence' (*hamas*). Corruption speaks to moral decay and perversity, while violence suggests pervasive bloodshed, lawlessness, and social injustice.

Verse 13

God announces the 'end of all flesh,' indicating a universal judgment. The destruction is explicitly linked to the violence that had filled the earth, demonstrating God’s justice in responding to human sin.

Verse 14

God provides precise, detailed instructions for the Ark's construction, emphasizing divine involvement in the preservation plan. 'Gopher wood' likely refers to a durable, resinous wood like cypress; the vessel was sealed with 'pitch' (bitumen) inside and out for waterproofing.

Verse 15

The dimensions (300 x 50 x 30 cubits, roughly 450 x 75 x 45 feet) describe a massive, stable barge designed for floating and carrying capacity, not for navigation or speed, underscoring its role as a refuge.

Verse 18

This is the first explicit reference to a 'covenant' (*berit*) in the context of salvation, marking a binding, unconditional promise between God and Noah. This covenant ensures the preservation of life through the Flood.

Verse 22

This concluding statement highlights Noah’s obedience as the essential requirement for salvation. He executed God's difficult and complex command precisely, demonstrating the faith that defined his righteousness (cf. Heb 11:7).

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