Genesis 6:2

Translations

Modern

…the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.

Traditional

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

Literal

…that the sons of God saw the daughters of mankind, and they were good. And they took for themselves wives from all that they chose.

Latin

…videntes filii Dei filias hominum quod essent pulchræ, acceperunt sibi uxores ex omnibus, quas elegerant.

Original

Hebrew

English

…the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.

Notes

Genesis 6:1–2

The sons of God have generally been understood as fallen angels (or demons). The main interpretation of the phrase seems to refer to demons. The same Hebrew phrase is in Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Psalms 29:1; 89:7. This idea appears often in ancient Jewish and Christian writings (for example, 1 Enoch 6:1–7:6; Justin Martyr, Apology 2.5). The New Testament also seems to support this view in some passages (see 1 Peter 3:18–20; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6–7).

Some interpreters argue that God would not allow angels to have children with humans. They doubt that the New Testament texts should be understood in this way.

Another possibility is that the phrase the sons of God refers to the righteous descendants of Seth. The beautiful women would be from Cain's evil line. This matches Genesis 4:17–5:32 but is weakened by the language of 6:1–2. That passage seems to refer to all human daughters, not just Cain's.

Others believe the phrase the sons of God refers to cruel human kings. These kings were possibly influenced by demons. They followed Lamech’s practice of having multiple wives and made it even worse (4:19) by seizing the daughters of righteous people. The language is similar to 3:6 ("saw … took"). It shows the rebellious nature of their actions.

Genesis 6:1–8

Human wickedness became very great, so God sent the flood to destroy all living things. But there is a sign of hope, because God showed favor to Noah (6:8).

Theme notes and profiles

Noah God’s Covenant with Noah Retribution Symbolic Numbers The Creation The Son of God

Events

God decides to destroy every living thingc. 2468 BC

Related verses

Psalm 82:6–7
I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
Romans 9:7–8
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
Deuteronomy 7:3–4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,
2 Peter 2:14
Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.
Nehemiah 13:24–27
Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.
2 Samuel 11:2
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.
John 8:41–42
You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
Ezra 9:12
Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’
Ezra 9:1–2
After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.
Joshua 23:12–13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them,

Genesis 6:2

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