Devine Scripture

Genesis 6:1

What does Genesis 6:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:1 means

This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events to follow, describing a period of rapid human population growth. As humanity expanded across the earth, the number of people, particularly daughters, increased significantly. This multiplication of humankind is not presented as inherently good or bad here, but simply as a demographic reality that precedes a profound moral turning point. It highlights the vastness of the human presence on earth before the judgment of the flood.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after a time, when men were increasing on the earth, and had daughters,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it cometh to pass that mankind have begun to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters have been born to them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after that men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass when mankind began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them,

Context

This opening verse immediately follows the genealogies of Genesis 5, which emphasized the increasing generations of humanity. It provides the demographic background for the interactions described in the next verse, particularly regarding the daughters who caught the attention of the 'sons of God.' Without understanding this multiplication, the subsequent widespread corruption and God's drastic response would lack its full impact.

v.1This passage

v.2that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 6:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary