Devine Scripture

Genesis 6:2

What does Genesis 6:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:2 means

The \"sons of God,\" interpreted by many as fallen angels or divine beings, were drawn to the physical beauty of human women, the \"daughters of men.\" This attraction led them to take wives from among all whom they chose, suggesting a widespread and indiscriminate practice. This act is presented as a significant transgression, blurring boundaries between distinct created orders and contributing to the deepening moral decay that grieved God's heart. It speaks to an unholy union that further corrupts humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took wives for themselves from those who were pleasing to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and sons of God see the daughters of men that they <FI>are<Fi> fair, and they take to themselves women of all whom they have chosen.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all which they chose.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that the sons ofGod saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and took themselves wives of all that they chose.

Context

Building on the previous verse's mention of multiplying daughters, this verse introduces a pivotal and enigmatic event. The intermarriage between the 'sons of God' and 'daughters of men' is a key element in understanding the subsequent rise of the Nephilim and the intensification of human wickedness, directly preceding God's pronouncement of judgment. It explains a new and troubling dimension of sin.

v.1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,

v.2This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 8:41

    Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

  • Genesis 24:3

    and I will make thee swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?

  • 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.

  • Malachi 2:11

    Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of Jehovah which he loveth, and hath married the daughter of a foreign god.

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