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

GENESIS 6:1KJV
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Genesis 6:1 (KJV)

What does Genesis 6:1 mean?

Genesis 6:1 describes a time when the human population began to grow rapidly across the earth, and many daughters were being born to these people. This verse sets the stage for the events that follow, highlighting a period of increasing human activity and family life.

The book of Genesis is recounting early human history, and this verse marks a transition point before the story of the "sons of God" and the flood. The focus is on ordinary human multiplication and the birth of daughters, which prepares the reader for the interactions and challenges that will soon be described.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:1

  • "men" (אָדָם, 'adam): This word often means "human beings" in general, not just males. Here, it emphasizes the spread of humanity as a whole.
  • "multiply" (רָבָה, rabah): This word means to become many or increase greatly. The verse is pointing to a significant growth in the human population.
  • "earth" (אֲדָמָה, adamah): This term refers to the ground or land, reminding the reader of humanity’s connection to the earth from earlier in Genesis.
  • "daughters" (בַּת, bat): The specific mention of daughters, rather than just children, is important for the next verses, where their role becomes central.

Why Genesis 6:1 matters

  • Genesis 6:1 clarifies that the coming events are rooted in a time of population growth, not just isolated incidents, which helps explain the scale of what follows.
  • The mention of daughters being born prepares the reader for the next verses, where these daughters become significant in the narrative.
  • This verse connects the ongoing story of humanity’s spread after creation with the coming account of the flood, showing a continuous thread in the biblical storyline.

Where else these words appear

“multiply” Hebrew H7231 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
  • Psalms 38:19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
  • Isaiah 22:9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

“on” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 32:11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.

“began” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.