Genesis 6:1-4 Meaning: When the Sons of God Married
1When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them,
2God’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives.
3Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.”
4The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3And 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.
4There 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.
1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,
2that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose.
3And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.
4The Nephilim were 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 were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.
1And it cometh to pass that mankind have begun to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters have been born to them,
2and sons of God see the daughters of men that they are fair, and they take to themselves women of all whom they have chosen.
3And Jehovah saith, `My Spirit doth not strive in man--to the age; in their erring they are flesh:' and his days have been an hundred and twenty years.
4The fallen ones were in the earth in those days, and even afterwards when sons of God come in unto daughters of men, and they have borne to them--they are the heroes, who, from of old, are the men of name.
1And it came to pass when mankind began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them,
2that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and took themselves wives of all that they chose.
3And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not always plead with Man; for he indeed is flesh; but his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.
4In those days were the giants on the earth, and also afterwards, when the sons of God had come in to the daughters of men, and they had borne [children] to them; these were the heroes, who of old were men of renown.
Meaning in one sentence
This passage explains the origin of the Nephilim, the intermarriage between sons of God and daughters of men, and God's judgment of 120 years before the Flood.
Context
The opening verses of Genesis 6 serve as a dark bridge between the genealogies of Cain and Seth and the Flood story. Genesis 4 ended with the spread of civilization among Cain's descendants. Genesis 5 traced the godly line from Seth to Noah. Now both lines mix. The 'sons of God', understood by many Christians as the Sethite line or by others as angelic beings, saw that the 'daughters of men' were beautiful and took them as wives. This led to a streak of moral corruption so deep that God declared His Spirit would not contend with humankind forever, setting a limit of 120 years. The Nephilim appear in these days, mighty men of old, renowned for their violence. The passage sets the stage for the flood: the world had crossed a line, and judgment was coming.
Key Words
The Hebrew phrase 'sons of God' (bene Elohim) appears only a handful of times in the Old Testament, often referring to angelic beings. In this context, many early Christian writers and later commentators saw it as a description of the godly line of Seth, people who were called by God's name. They married the 'daughters of men,' likely the descendants of Cain who had turned away from the Lord. The word translated 'beautiful' (tovot) carries the same force as in the Garden, 'good' to the eyes, leading to taking without restraint.
The verb for 'strive' (din) means to contend, plead, or judge. It pictures God's Spirit actively wrestling with human hearts. But here God says He will not do this forever. What follows next: 'he also is flesh' (basar). This word speaks of human frailty and limitation, not just physical but moral weakness. God acknowledges that left to themselves, humans are incapable of sustained obedience. The 120 years then is not necessarily a shortened lifespan but an extended period of grace for repentance.
The 'Nephilim' (from naphal, to fall) were people of great size and reputation, but the name hints at something more: they were fallen ones, violent tyrants who spread corruption.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this passage differently. Many Protestant commentators from the Reformation onward see the 'sons of God' as the godly line of Seth who intermarried with the ungodly line of Cain, leading to widespread apostasy. Others, including many church fathers and some modern interpreters, understand the phrase to refer to fallen angels who took human women, explaining the origin of the Nephilim as their offspring. Still others see a reference to ancient rulers or princes who abused their power. The Catholic tradition has often favored the angelic interpretation, while Orthodox tradition also holds patristic views. The passage remains deliberately mysterious, and all traditions agree it depicts a crisis of corruption that provoked God's judgment.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
Think about the relationships you form, friendships, marriage, business partnerships. The 'sons of God' in this story were drawn by outward beauty and took whatever they wanted. They let physical attraction override spiritual discernment. This week, ask yourself: Are there relationships where the pull of appearance or status is leading you away from what honors God? The passage also reminds us that the Spirit does not strive forever. If you have felt God drawing you to change something, do not delay. God gave the antediluvian world 120 years. He is patient, but His patience has a purpose, to lead us to repentance, not to give us time to ignore Him.
Main takeaway: When God's people mix with the world for the wrong reasons, corruption spreads, but God graciously gives time to turn back.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The sons of God married women who did not love God. This made God sad, and He said He would give people 120 more years to change.
For ages 9, 12
This passage shows that when God's people choose friends or spouses who don't care about following God, it can lead everyone away from Him. But God is patient, He gave 120 years for people to turn back. The Nephilim were famous warriors, but their fame didn't matter because they were wicked. What matters is whether our hearts are right with God.
Questions People Ask
Who were the sons of God in Genesis 6?
There are two main interpretations. Many Christians believe the 'sons of God' were the godly descendants of Seth, who married women from the ungodly line of Cain. Others, including many church fathers, believe they were angels who took human wives. Both views recognize this as a critical moment of corruption before the flood.
What does the 120 years in Genesis 6:3 mean?
Most commentators agree this is not a new human lifespan, but a period of grace before the flood. God gave people 120 years to repent (see 1 Peter 3:20). After the flood, people like Abraham lived long past 120. The 120 years shows God's patience, not a changed lifespan.
Who were the Nephilim?
The Hebrew word Nephilim comes from a root meaning 'to fall,' suggesting they were fallen ones or violent tyrants. They were mighty men of renown, but the Bible does not say they were giants. Later passages describe giants like Goliath, but here the focus is on their fame and violence.
Why did God send the flood after this passage?
Genesis 6:5 immediately after says that every intent of the human heart was only evil continually. The marriages between sons of God and daughters of men led to comprehensive moral decay. God saw that only judgment could cleanse the earth, but He preserved Noah and his family as a remnant.
Is Genesis 6:1-4 a literal historical account?
Christians differ. Some read it as straightforward history: real people, real events, real supernatural beings. Others see it as an ancient tradition that uses symbolic language to describe the spread of wickedness. Both approaches affirm that the passage teaches the seriousness of sin and God's judgment.
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