Genesis 6:2
the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The striking phrase "daughters of man" highlights that these women are defined by their humanity, contrasting with the "sons of God." This simple distinction reveals that the issue wasn't just about attraction, but a blurring of divine and human lines, suggesting a departure from a divinely appointed separation.
This passage describes the beginning of humanity's widespread corruption, moving from the initial multiplication of people to a disturbing shift in behavior. It highlights a critical intermingling between those who were meant to be set apart for God and the rest of humanity, driven by superficial attraction rather than divine guidance, which set the stage for the judgment of the flood.
This verse kicks off one of the most debated passages in Genesis. Who exactly were these 'sons of God,' and why did their actions lead to such drastic consequences?
The identity of the "sons of God" is a puzzle that has fascinated readers for centuries. While some ancient traditions, and even some New Testament passages, suggest they might have been literal angels, the context and common interpretations lean elsewhere.
The Sethite Interpretation
Many scholars, including Calvin, believe the "sons of God" refer to the lineage of Seth, the godly son of Adam and Eve. This family was set apart by God for worship and a righteous path, distinguishing them from the descendants of Cain, who had already fallen into violence and wickedness.
The verse states the 'sons of God' saw that the daughters of men were 'fair.' Was it wrong to notice beauty, or was something more sinister at play?
The Genesis account highlights a crucial distinction: noticing beauty is not inherently sinful, but allowing it to become the sole basis for a decision, especially one as significant as marriage, can lead to disaster.
Lust Over Lordship
The problem wasn't beauty itself, but the unchecked desire it ignited. The "sons of God" didn't just see beauty; they were captivated by it to the point of lust.
Understand the original words
benei ha'elohim · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to a group of beings often interpreted in the Old Testament as angelic beings or members of the heavenly council. In this context, their interaction with humanity is presented as a transgression against the created order.
This verse paints a picture of a society where spiritual distinctiveness is lost through attraction to superficial beauty. The 'sons of God' (likely the Sethite line) abandon their covenantal calling by marrying 'daughters of men' (likely from Cain's lineage), leading to a rapid moral decay that ultimately brings about the Flood.
c. 3000-2000 BC
Emergence of Sethite and Cainite Lineages
Following the expulsion of Adam and Eve, humanity splits. The lineage of Seth preserves a connection with God, while Cain's descendants develop a distinct, more secular culture.
c. 2000-1500 BC— this verse
Sethites Begin Intermingling with Cainites
The descendants of Seth, initially separate, begin to intermarry with the descendants of Cain. This intermingling, driven by attraction to beauty and worldly allure, marks a significant spiritual compromise for the Sethite line.
c. 1500 BC
Widespread Societal Corruption and Violence
The intermingling of the two lines leads to a profound moral and spiritual decline across humanity. Violence and wickedness become rampant, filling the earth and deeply grieving God.
c. 1500 BC
God's Decision to Send the Flood
Seeing the incorrigible wickedness of humanity, God determines to cleanse the earth through a great flood, regretting His creation of humankind.
This passage speaks of angels who left their proper dwelling and sinned, which some interpret as a parallel to the 'sons of God' leaving their heavenly realm to take human wives.
2 Peter 2:4Similar to Jude, this verse mentions God not sparing angels when they sinned, and some understand this as a direct allusion to the Genesis account of the sons of God and their transgression.
Genesis 3:15The offspring of these unions are described as 'mighty men' and 'men of renown,' echoing the 'seed' promised in Genesis 3:15, suggesting a corrupted lineage that was meant to crush evil but instead contributed to it.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4The prohibition against intermarrying with surrounding nations, lest they 'turn away your son from following me,' highlights the danger of spiritual contamination through mixed marriages, mirroring the consequences seen in Genesis 6.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10While not directly about this event, Paul's lists of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God include various forms of sexual immorality and lawlessness, reflecting the deep moral decay that characterized the antediluvian world described here.
calvinGenesis 6:1-22: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,"
There 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.
Gigantes fuerunt in terra in diebus illis: et etiam postquam ingressi sunt filii Dei ad filias hominum, genuerunt eis: isti sunt potentes, qui a saec…
gillGenesis 6:2: "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair,.... Or "good" (k), not in a moral but natural sense; goodly to look upon, of a beautiful aspect; and they looked upon, and only regarded their external beauty, and lusted after them: those "sons of God" were not angels either good or bad, as many have thought, since they are incorporeal beings, and…
The striking phrase "daughters of man" highlights that these women are defined by their humanity, contrasting with the "sons of God." This simple distinction reveals that the issue wasn't just about attraction, but a blurring of divine and human lines, suggesting a departure from a divinely appointed separation.
This passage describes the beginning of humanity's widespread corruption, moving from the initial multiplication of people to a disturbing shift in behavior. It highlights a critical intermingling between those who were meant to be set apart for God and the rest of humanity, driven by superficial attraction rather than divine guidance, which set the stage for the judgment of the flood.
This passage describes the beginning of humanity's widespread corruption, moving from the initial multiplication of people to a disturbing shift in behavior. It highlights a critical intermingling between those who were meant to be set apart for God and the rest of humanity, driven by superficial attraction rather than divine guidance, which set the stage for the judgment of the flood.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 6:2 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1500 BC
God's Command to Noah to Build the Ark
God reveals His plan to Noah, a righteous man, and instructs him to build an ark to preserve himself, his family, and pairs of all living creatures.
"the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose." — The striking phrase "daughters of man" highlights that these women are defined by their humanity, contrasting with the "sons of God." This simple distinction reveals that the issue wasn't just abou…
