Who are the “sons of God” and “daughters of men” in this passage?

This passage has been understood in more than one way, but a common reading is that the “sons of God” were people from the line that had been calling on the Lord and walking in His ways, while the “daughters of men” were from families that did not follow God. Instead of staying set apart for God, these men chose wives only by looks and desire, without caring about faith. The point is not just who they were by birth, but that people who claimed to belong to God stopped guarding their hearts and homes, and it helped spread evil.

What does “My spirit shall not always strive with man” mean?

When God says, “My spirit shall not always strive with man,” He is saying that His patient pleading and warning would not go on forever. People were ignoring His warnings and living by their flesh, their sinful desires. So God set a limit, giving a set period of time before He would bring judgment. This shows both His kindness, because He allows time to repent, and His holiness, because He will not let stubborn rebellion continue without an answer. It is a sober reminder that hardening the heart toward God has an end point.

Who were the giants or mighty men mentioned in this passage?

The passage says there were giants, or mighty men, in those days and afterward. These were strong, famous people, known as “men of renown.” They were not only powerful in body, but often used their strength for wrong. They became leaders in a corrupt way, spreading violence and pride instead of honoring God. The point of mentioning them is not to satisfy curiosity, but to show how far the world had fallen. Even the strongest and most honored people on earth were wrapped up in sin and helped fill the earth with trouble.

Why does it say God repented or regretted making man?

When it says that God repented or regretted making man, it does not mean God made a mistake or changed His mind the way people do. The Bible is using human words so we can grasp His deep sorrow over sin. God looked at the earth and saw that human thoughts and desires were twisted toward evil all the time. This grieved Him. Saying He “repented” shows His holy dislike of sin and His decision to act in judgment. It helps us feel how serious sin is, not that God is unstable or unsure.

Why did God decide to destroy man and even animals from the earth?

God saw that human wickedness had filled the earth and that every intention of the heart was only evil all the time. Sin had spread so widely that it spoiled life on earth. God is not cold or careless; the passage says He was grieved in His heart. But because He is just, He chose to wipe away what had become like a stain. Even animals and birds are included, showing how far the damage of human sin reaches. This hard word shows how deeply God hates evil and how serious our choices are before Him.

What does this passage teach about the danger of mixed marriages?

In this passage, the problem is not marriage itself but marrying with no concern for God. Men who were meant to belong to God took any wives they wanted just because they were beautiful, without caring if they feared the Lord. Over time this pulled the godly line into the same sins as the rest of the world. It shows how close relationships can draw us either toward God or away from Him. It is a warning to treat marriage and close bonds carefully, looking first at faith and character, not only at outward things.

How does this passage show both God’s patience and His limits?

God’s patience is seen in that He does not strike people at once. He says that His Spirit has been striving with man, and He sets a long period, described as many years, before the flood comes. This is time to turn back. Yet He also says that this striving will not go on without end. His patience has a limit when people keep choosing sin. So we see a God who is slow to anger and gives space for repentance, but who will at last judge when evil is loved and His warnings are refused.

How can this passage speak to people today?

This passage warns about what happens when people ignore God’s ways, follow their desires, and treat His patience as if it will last forever. It shows the danger of choosing relationships and life paths with no regard for faith, and of letting sin spread in the heart until it seems normal. It also shows that God cares deeply about how we live and is grieved by evil, not indifferent. For today, it calls us to take sin seriously, guard our hearts and homes, and seek God while He gives time to turn back.

Why do some people say this passage is hard to understand?

Some parts are hard because the wording is brief and ancient. For example, who the “sons of God” are and what exactly is meant by the giants has been read in more than one way. Also, phrases like God “repenting” can be confusing if we forget that human words are being used to describe God’s response in ways we can grasp. Even when people differ on some details, the main message is clear: human sin grew deep and wide, God was grieved, and He warned that His patience would come to an end in judgment.

Gen.6.1

Genesis 6:1

Q: Why is the line “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” so serious?

This line shows how deep the problem went. It was not just that people sometimes did bad things. Their thoughts, plans, and desires were bent away from God most of the time. Evil was not a small spot on the surface; it filled the inner life. This helps explain why such a strong judgment came. It also shows that the real battle is in the heart, not just in outward behavior. Without God’s help, people do not drift toward good on their own. The verse is meant to humble us and make us see our need for His grace.

KJV

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Corruption on the Earth

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

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

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.

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.

¶ And 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.

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

And 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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.