Devine Scripture

Genesis 6:3

What does Genesis 6:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:3 means

Jehovah declares that His Spirit will not perpetually contend with humanity, acknowledging that humans are \"flesh,\" meaning mortal and prone to sin. While judgment is certain, God graciously provides a specific grace period, limiting human lifespan to 120 years. This pronouncement is a solemn declaration of divine patience reaching its limit, yet still offering a window of opportunity for repentance before the full extent of His judgment is executed. It reveals God's justice tempered with a measure of mercy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord said, My spirit will not be in man for ever, for he is only flesh; so the days of his life will be a hundred and twenty years.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah saith, `My Spirit doth not strive in man--to the age; in their erring they <FI>are<Fi> flesh:' and his days have been an hundred and twenty years.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God said: My spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And 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.

Context

This verse directly follows the account of the unholy unions in verses 1 and 2, serving as God's initial response to the escalating corruption. It introduces the concept of a finite period for humanity before a significant divine intervention, setting a countdown for the impending judgment foreseen by God. This explains why a global reset was needed, establishing a time frame for the events.

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.

v.3This passage

v.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.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19

    Quench not the Spirit;

  • Jude 1:14

    And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,

  • Psalms 78:39

    And he remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

  • John 3:6

    That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

  • Nehemiah 9:30

    Yet many years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

  • Isaiah 63:10

    But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, andhimself fought against them.

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 6:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary