The big picture
The list of descendants has reached Noah, a descendant of the first human family, and his three sons. Human numbers have grown, but so has violence. God sees wrongdoing throughout the earth and announces an end to life through a flood. Noah receives favour and instructions for a large vessel. The chapter holds together the grief of God over human evil and his plan to keep a household and living creatures alive.
In this chapter
- Human Growth Meets God's Limit Genesis 6:1-4
As people multiply, the sons of God take women they find attractive as wives.
- Violence Fills the Earth Genesis 6:5-12
God sees human evil reaching into thoughts and desires continually.
- Noah Receives Plans for an Ark Genesis 6:13-22
God tells Noah that violence has brought the earth to its end.
Central truth
God grieves over a violent world, announces a destroying flood, and gives Noah a way to preserve life.
Scripture beside the summary
Genesis · King James Version · 22Genesis 6:1-4
Human Growth Meets God's Limit
As people multiply, the sons of God take women they find attractive as wives. Christians differ over whether these sons are heavenly beings or human groups. Genesis does not explain their identity here. God says his Spirit will not contend with humanity forever and names a limit of 120 years. Readers also differ over whether that concerns lifespan or time before judgment. The account mentions giants and mighty men of great fame. Yet strength, numbers, and reputation do not remove humanity's limits before God.
In everyday life
Several champion climbers stand around a route map, naming the peaks they have already conquered. The guide points to a storm warning and sets a firm departure limit. Their fame does not change the weather or their human weakness. They must hear a boundary they did not choose. God's announced limit is judgment, not a mountain forecast.
Notice
Genesis 6:3 God points to human flesh while setting a limit. Whatever the disputed details mean, celebrated strength does not make people free of mortality or judgment.
Genesis 6:1-4
King James Version1And 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.
Genesis 6:5-12
Violence Fills the Earth
God sees human evil reaching into thoughts and desires continually. He is grieved that he made humanity and announces that he will wipe people and other creatures from the earth. This is no mild disappointment. The world is corrupt and full of violence. Noah, however, receives God's favour. He is described as upright among his generation and as walking with God. His sons are Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Their household appears within the wider picture of ruin, preparing for a different outcome without making the surrounding violence seem less serious.
In everyday life
Those rescue workers return to their station after finding another street wrecked by ongoing violence. Their leader sits in silence over the incident sheets, grieving for the people harmed and the harm people keep choosing. One household has kept helping its neighbours. The grief offers a distant likeness; no rescue leader has God's authority to end life.
Notice
Genesis 6:6 God's response includes grief in his heart. Genesis presents the announced destruction with sorrow over what people have become, rather than delight in suffering.
Genesis 6:5-12
King James Version5And 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.
6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7And 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.
8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
10And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Genesis 6:13-22
Noah Receives Plans for an Ark
God tells Noah that violence has brought the earth to its end. He orders an ark made from wood, sealed inside and outside, with rooms and three levels. Its measurements, door, and opening are specified. God will send a flood that destroys life outside it, but he will make a covenant with Noah. Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives will enter. Pairs of animals will come to be kept alive, and Noah must store food for all. Noah carries out everything God commands.
In everyday life
The keeper of an animal shelter checks an evacuation list as water rises toward the district. She assigns crates, loads feed, and makes room for her staff. Saving lives requires careful work before the road closes. Each instruction answers a need inside the vehicle. Her escape responds to a natural danger; Noah prepares for God's announced judgment.
Notice
Genesis 6:21 Stored food is part of God's instruction, alongside the vessel and its passengers. Preserving life includes provision for the time spent inside the ark.
Genesis 6:13-22
King James Version13And 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.
14Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
15And 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.
16A 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.
17And, 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.
18But 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.
19And 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.
20Of 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.
21And 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.
22Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Genesis 6:1 begins with “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,”
Where the chapter turns
Genesis 6:8 forms a natural hinge: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
The final note
Genesis 6:22 leaves the reader with “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words earth, Noah, flesh, sons, LORD, thing help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- renown
- Widespread fame, especially for strength or great deeds.
- ark
- A large vessel built here to carry people and animals through the flood.
- covenant
- A binding commitment God makes, here connected with preserving Noah's household.
- cubits
- Ancient lengths based on a forearm, roughly 18 inches or 45 centimetres each.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
