Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Context .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Biblical Text Exposition ........................................................................................................................... 4 Compromise (Genesis 6: 1-7) .............................................................................................................. 4 Grace (Gen 6:8) ................................................................................................................................... 6 Fruit of faith (Gen 6: 9-10) .................................................................................................................. 6 Faith brings Glory (Gen 6: 11:14) ........................................................................................................ 7 Application .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 12

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

1|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Abstract
Genesis speaks of beginnings. The beginnings of Heavens and Earth, of light and darkness, of seas and skies, of land and vegetation, of sun and moon and stars, or sea and air and land animals, of human beings (made of Gods own image). The list could keep going on and on. But the focus of Gods creation was that it was perfect in all sense. God expected the same perfection with mankind which was the climax of his creative activity (Creativity). In the beginning Gen 1:1 God existed in sublime glory and the divine Trinity was in loving communion. It was very true that When God

speaks, something happens, be it good or bad. For he spoke and it was done Ps 33:9. When we consider the acts of God as recorded in Genesis, we cant help but bow in reverent worship; for His creative acts reveal a God of power and wisdom whose word carried authority. However, in this paper, as I exegetiate Genesis 6: 1-14, I would like to consider what went wrong, and how God reacted to the situation. Does it show us that God is judgemental over the creative mankind He created, or has mercy on them for He loved them most than any other of His creation?

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

2|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Introduction
The word Genesis is Greek in origin, and comes from the word Geneseos, which appears in the pre-Christian Greek translation. Depending on the context, the word can mean birth, or

Genealogy or History of Origin (NIV Study Bible, Fully revised 1985). In both its Hebrew and Greek forms, then the traditional title of Genesis approximately describes its contents, since it is primarily a book of beginnings. A keyword in Genesis is account1, which also serves to divide the book into its ten major parts2 and which includes such concepts as birth, genealogy and history. Historically, both the Christians and the Jews have held Moses as the author (compiler) of the first five books of the Old Testament. These books, known as the Pentateuch, were referred to in the Jewish tradition as the five fifths of the Law of Moses. Though there were counter arguments and

evidences to discuss otherwise, there are many reasons to agree that Moses could hold the authorship of the book. Genesis, until the life of Noah (which means rest) has not rested in the eyes of God. God himself had challenges to face with His own creation and the mankind He loved most. The wickedness of the world which provoked Gods wrath until Noah found grace in the eyes of God is very prominently seen in the earlier chapters of the book.

Context
Sin had entered the human race, and it did not take long for the corruption it spawned to spread and defile Gods creation. Like a cancerous tumour, evil infected civilization and brought death wherever it went. Gods vice regents on earth, created in Gods image, couldnt manage their own lives left alone Gods creation and things began to fall apart. This section of Genesis covers over 1500 years of human history, years that were overshadowed by sin and sorrow (Wesley 2012). Thirteen different people are mentioned in this section until Noah, and four of them stand out because they did something that associated with Gods prime purpose of creation: Seth, Enosh, Enoch and Noah.

Gen 2: 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. 2 The account of the heavens and the earth (2:4 -4:26), the written account of Adams line (5:1 6:8), the account of Noah (6:9 -9: 29), the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth (10:1-11:9), the account of Shem (11:1026), the account of Terah(11:27-25:11), the account of Abrahams son Ishmael (25:12-18), the account of Abrahams son Isaac (25:19 35:29), the account of Esau (36:1-37:1), and the account of Jacob (37:2-50:26)

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

3|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Seth was a new beginning from God (Gen 4:25, 5: 1-5), Enosh had a calling on God (Gen 4:26, 5:611), Enoch walked with God (Gen 5:12-27) and Noah found rest and comfort from God (Gen 5:286:8) (Wiersbe 2001). Man began to multiply upon the face of the earth. This was the effect of the blessing3 God gave them. Yet mans corruption was so abused that it turned into a curse. While judgement may be the predominant aspect of Gods reaction to sin in this narrative, grace4 also surfaces very clearly. Even in the event of such a wickedness of the world that provoked Gods wrath, Noah finds grace (Ross n.d.). He was warned of the flood, the directions respecting the ark and the new generation that was established. We have to unanimously agree that it was all because of Noahs faith and obedience.

Biblical Text Exposition

The whole of this section in the book of Genesis could be separated in a variety of ways. Each way is dependent on the authorship and the context in which it is understood. Let me consider dividing the section of the passage from Genesis 6: 1-14 into various sections before we exposit the passage. 1. Gen 6: 1-7 compromise 2. Gen 6: 8 - Grace 3. Gen 6: 9-10 - Fruit of faith 4. Gen 6: 11-14 Faith brings Glory

Compromise (Genesis 6: 1-7)

After chapter 3 in Genesis, the role of Satan is not mentioned, or his name is not pronounced, but he and his hosts are at work doing their utmost to keep the promised Redeemer from being born. This was Satans purpose throughout all of the Old Testament history. One of Satans successful devices was compromise. If he can delude Gods people into abandoning their privileged position of separation from sin and communion with God, then he can corrupt them and lead them into sin. A simple question to ask ourselves here is what was Satans plan for defeating Gods people in Noahs day? It was to entice the godly line of Seth (the sons of God) to mix with the ungodly line of Cain
3

Gen 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. 4 Gen 6: 8 But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

4|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

(the daughters of men) and thus abandon their devotion to the Lord. Some interpreters also view 6: 1-7 as an invasion of fallen angels 5who cohabited with women and produced a race of giants. But as interesting as the theory is, it creates more problems than it solves, not the least of which is the union of sexless spirit beings with flesh and blood humans. Even if such unions occur, could there

be an offspring and why would they be giants? And how did these giants (Nephilim) survive the flood, as there is a reference of them in Numbers 13: 31-336 or was there a second invasion of fallen angels after the flood. Another interesting issue here is that the term Son of God does refer to angels in Job 1:6, 2:1 and 38:7, but these are unfallen angels faithfully serving God. The emphasis in Genesis 6 is on the sin of man and not the rebellion of angels. The word man is used nine times in verses 1-7 and God states clearly that the judgement is coming because of what humans have done7. In any case, this story is yet another illustration of the sin of the human race that eventually leads to the flood (Longman-III 2005). A divine intervention of God (Genesis 6: 3-4): Gods decision to limit the days of human beings on earth is significant as it is contradictory to his creation message. The intervention of God could also be taken as a case of sake of his sovereignty (Brueggemann n.d.). This intervention contains a judgement and an assurance. The judgement is that God will not endlessly and forever permit his life-giving spirit to enliven those who disorder his world. The breath of life remains his to give and his to recall (Brueggemann n.d.). The judgement of v3 asserts the sovereignty of Yahweh, who presides over the gift of life.

Nephilim: The word Giants

is a translation of the Hebrew word Nephilim which means fallen

ones. Some who follow the angel theory make the Nephilim the fallen angels whose children
5

G.H Pember, Earths Earliest Ages, E.W Bullinger, The companion bible. The theory is the result of juggling some puzzling passages ( Jude 6: 7; 1 Peter #: 19-20, 2 Peter 2: 4-9) and overlooking some basic principles of hermeneutics. 6 Numbers 13: 31-33 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, We cant attack those people; they are stronger than we are. 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.
7

Gen 6: 7 I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have createdand with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the groundfor I regret that I have made them. 8 Gen 6: 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those daysand also afterwardwhen the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

5|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

become great leaders. The most likely interpretation of Genesis 6:4 is that God saw the people of When the Sethites

that day as fallen ones, while men saw these people as mighty leaders.

compromised by mingling with the Cainites, they fell from Gods blessing. God was grieved that they married godless Cainites, choosing wives as they pleased without considering Gods will9. In doing this they endangered the fulfilment of the promise10 ; for how God could bring a Redeemer into the world through an unholy people. Corrupt hearts: While the preceding account in v2-4 described the practices without moral

evaluation, v5 records the Lords evaluation of the race. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and there was evil in his heart. Gods observation of the evil multiplying

among human beings on the earth has a dramatic effect (McKeown 2008): God is grieved, and his heart is filled with pain11. By attributing human emotions to God, Gods involvement with creation does not end with the seventh day. God is concerned with the continued progress of his created order. He reflects his characteristic not as an angry tyrant, but as a troubled parent12.

Grace (Gen 6:8)

A close study of v8 will show the support for the idea of Gods unmerited favour. Here, Noah received sovereign grace and escaped the catastrophe. No one escapes divine judgement apart from grace. Gods people (Noah) are recipients of grace; they are spared from the divine wrath on the wicked. Noah and his family received the favour of God and so escaped the corruption and destruction that followed it. Even in the time of Moses, Israel knew that they were chosen by God, and his grace was upon them. They also knew that God would judge the corrupt pagan world for its idolatry and fornication. Gods people (Israel) always had to meet nephilims, anakims and the Rephaims in their time. But Israel, as in course of time, would have learnt the lesson that they were mere mortals and not demigods. Giants too would fall when the Lord fought for Israel13.

Fruit of faith (Gen 6: 9-10)

Noah was righteous: This was the first time the word righteous has been used in the bible. But Noahs righteousness has also been mentioned in many other places14. Noahs righteousness did

Gen 6:2 Gen 3:15 11 The Gen 6:6 LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 12 Brueggemann, Genesis, 77. 13 Num 13: 30-33; 14:6-9 14 Ezek 14:14, 20; Heb 11:7; 2 Pet 3:5
10

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

6|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

not come from his good works; his good works came because of his righteousness (Wiersbe 2001). Like in Abrahams life, Noahs righteousness here was Gods gift in response to his personal faith. Noah was blameless: He was not only counted righteous, but also blameless
15

. If righteous

describes Noahs standing before God, then blameless describes his conduct before people (Wiersbe 2001). Blameless does not mean sinless, because nobody but Christ himself ever lived a sinless life on this earth16. Noahs conduct was such that his neighbours couldnt find fault with him. Noah walked with God: His great grandfather Enoch walked with God. He was taken suddenly to heaven. Noah also walked with God and he was taken safely through the judgement.

Faith brings Glory (Gen 6: 11:14)

Psalm 25:14 says The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. I dont think if we need another verse to strongly defend why God made known all his plans to Noah. God has concluded that the world has betrayed his intent. The noble decisions of God have been treated shabbily. God deals with that reality with great seriousness. Many words to express Gods grief are expressed here. The men whom he created were wicked, evil, and corrupt and were filled with violence. Two purposes need to be fulfilled here which made God take a stubborn decision: one is to save the human race he created for good and the second is the coming of the redeemer to be from the righteous. The indictment was to destroy the creation which has refused to be his faithful, obedient creation (Brueggemann n.d.). The writer uses many ways in which God expresses how he would make a change to his plan17. Noah brought glory to God by obeying him in the making of the Ark. He did not question a word if he and his family would be spared in Gods judgement. His faith brought glory not only to God, but also deemed him righteous.

Application
From the beginning, God had a definite plan for human kind. Man never understood Gods plan from time to time. God had to use his wisdom to teach them, instruct them and chastise them in order to ensure that his plans were to order. Looking at this passage from an application

perspective also tells us the same thing. It was Satans job always to delude peoples minds and
15

Gen 6: 9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 16 1 Pet 2:22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 17 I will blot out (wipe out) Gen 6:7; I will destroy (put an end) Gen 6:13, I will bring a flood ( catastrophe) Gen 6: 17

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

7|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

confuse them for his main aim was to separate mans communion with God. He did this to Israel in the land of Moab18, and also after they had conquered the land of Canaan19. The prophets warned the Jewish people not to compromise with the idolatrous worship of the pagans around them, but their warnings werent heeded; and the nation experienced shameful defeat at the hands of their enemies. It is the same temptation we Christians face even today: Be friendly with the world (James 4:4), Love the world (1 John 2: 15-17), conform to the world (Romans 12:2) rather than be separated from the world (2 Cor 6: 14-7:1). Of course this could lead to being condemned with the world (1 Cor 11:32). Even Lot is an example of this danger20. Do we listen to Gods word: The 120 year limit expressed in Gen 6:3 probably refer to the years until the flood would come. God is long suffering with lost sinners, but there comes a time when judgement must fall. During that day of grace, Noah prepared the ark and gave witness that judgement was coming21, the same message Enoch had given during his lifetime22. God gave his message in the mouth of two witnesses, but the people wouldnt listen. Even when God saw that the Sethites compromised by mingling with the Cainites, they fell from Gods blessing. God was grieved that they married godless Cainites, choosing wives as they pleased without considering Gods will ( Gen 6:2). Human history was now at that place, where only Noah and his family of eight believed God and obeyed His word. Gods spirit was striving with lost people, but they resisted the call of God; and God was grieved at what man was doing23 (Wiersbe 2001). Yahwehs (Gods) grace: The only way people can be saved from Gods wrath is through Gods grace (Eph 2: 8-9); but Gods grace isnt Gods reward for a good life: Its Gods response to saving faith. Heb 11: 7 states, By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. True faith involves the whole of the inner person: The mind understands Gods warning, the heart fears for what is coming and the will acts in obedience to Gods word. To understand Gods truth but
18 19

Num 25; Psalm 106:28-31 Jud 2, Psalm 106:34-48 20 Gen 13,19 21 2 Peter 2:5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 22 Jude 14-15 23 God the Father was grieved at mans sin on the earth ( Gen 6:6); God the son was grieved by the hardness of heart of the religious people (Mark 3:5) and the God the spirit can be grieved by sins of the saints ( Eph 4: 38)

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

8|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

not act upon is not biblical faith: its only intellectual assent to religious faith. To be emotionally aroused without comprehending Gods message isnt faith, because true faith is based on an understanding of the truth24. To have the mind enlightened and the heart stirred but not act in obedience to the message is not faith, for faith without works is dead25. The mind, heart and will are all involved in true biblical faith. Everybody who has ever been saved from sin has been saved by grace, through faith, and this includes the Old Testament worthies listed in Hebrews 11. Nobody was ever saved by bringing a sacrifice26, or by keeping a law27 or by doing good works28. Salvation is a gracious gift that can be rejected or received by faith. Like Noah, we must all find grace in the eyes of the Lord29. Mans righteousness: Noahs righteousness did not come from his good works; his good works came because of his righteousness (Wiersbe 2001). Both Noah and Abraham believed in Gods word and it was credited to them as righteousness30. The only righteousness God will accept is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, His Son31; and the only way we as people can receive that righteousness is by admitting our sins and trusting Jesus Christ to save us32. Noah must have learned this important truth from his father Lamech, who learned it from his father Methuselah, who learned it from his father Enoch. It makes us realise how important it is to teach our children and grandchildren how to trust the Lord. Mans blamelessness: Noah was a blameless man.
33

. If righteous describes Noahs standing

before God, then blameless describes his conduct before people (Wiersbe 2001). The person who is right before God through faith in Christ, ought to lead a life that is right before people, for faith without works is dead - James 2:14. Paul warned about unruly and vain talkers and

24 25

Matt 13: 18-23 James 2: 14-26 26 Heb 10: 1-4, Ps 51: 16-17 27 Gal 2: 16 28 Rom 4:5 29 Gen 6:8 30 Abram Gen 15:6 believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. See also Heb 11:7, Rom 4:9 and Gal 3:1 31 [b] 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 32 Rom 3: 19-20; Gal 2:16 33 Gen 6: 9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

9|Page

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

deceivers... who profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him34. Noah wasnt that kind of a person. The life of faith and obedience is compared to a walk because this life begins with one step: Trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This step of faith leads to a daily walk, a step at time, as the Lord directs us. He commands us to Walk in Love35, walk as children of light36, walk in the spirit37, and walk circumspectly (Carefully)38. A step at a time, a day at a time, we walk with the Lord and He guides us into His will and blesses us with His wisdom and strength. The secret of the Lord is with them that feat him; and He will show them His covenant Psalm 25:15. When we walk with the Lord He speaks to us through His word and tells us what we need to know and to do (Henry 2012). We are more than just his servants who do his will; we are also called to be his friends who know his plans39.

34

Titus 1:10ff, 16 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, they claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. 35 Eph 5:2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 36 Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 37 25 Gal 5:16, 25 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 38 Eph 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise 39 15 John 15: 14-15 You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masters business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

10 | P a g e

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Conclusion
While the New Testament has much more to say about the activities of Satan and his demons, few of us seem to take the spiritual warfare seriously. We really believe that the church can operate on human strength and wisdom alone, or with a little help from God. We often attempt to live the spiritual life in the power of the flesh. We urge people to rededicate their lives and redouble their efforts; but we fail to remind them that our only strength is that which God supplies. Firstly, the battle today is between the sons of Satan and the sons of God. Satans doom is sealed and his days are numbered. Let us then put on the spiritual armour by which god equips us for the spiritual warfare of which we are apart. Second, let us learn that Satan attacks us through similar instruments today. We have never been aware of news or situation where fallen angelic beings have invaded the earth in human form or other forms. Satan only works through men around us. Paul warns, for such men are false apostles, deceitful workers disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. Therefore it is not surprising if his

servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds (2 Cor 11: 13-15). Thirdly, notice that Satan does his best work in very areas where men and women place their hope of salvation. When the Men of God proposed to the daughters of men, they appeared to be the most promising fathers. If these creatures were immortal, then would their offspring be. Where is our hope for immortality? Is it in our offspring? Or is it in our work? If we wish to erect an empire or a monument in our name, it will not last. All of those monuments and empires perished in the flood of Gods judgement. Only faith in the Lord of the bible and specifically, faith in the Son He has sent to us will give us immortality and liberate us from the curse.

The only way to become a son of God is through the Son of God. Amen

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

11 | P a g e

Exegesis of Genesis 6: 1-14

Bibliography
Brueggemann, Walter. Interpretation - A Bible commentary for Teaching and Preaching. John Knox press, Atlanta. Henry, Matthew. Genesis. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. 2012. http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=1&c=6&com=mhc (accessed june 06, 2012). Longman-III, Tremper. How to read Genesis. Intervarsity Press, Paternoster Press, 2005. McKeown, James. Genesis. William B.Eerdman's publishing company, 2008. NIV Study Bible, Fully revised. Zondervan Publishing house, 1985. Ross, Allen P. Creation and Blessing - A guide to the study and exposition of Genesis. Baker Books. Wesley, John. John Wesley's Explainatory notes. Christnotes.org. 2012. http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=wes&b=1&c=6 (accessed 6 6, 2012). Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary on the Pentateuch. Cook Communication Ministries, Colarado 80918, 2001.

Clement.sudhakar@gmail.com

12 | P a g e