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

GENESIS 6:2KJV
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Genesis 6:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 6:2 mean?

Genesis 6:2 describes how the "sons of God" saw that the "daughters of men" were attractive and chose wives from among them as they wished. The verse highlights a moment where certain beings noticed human women’s beauty and took them as wives, setting the stage for the events that follow in the chapter.

The verse is part of a narrative where the author of Genesis is describing conditions on earth before the flood. The passage does not specify exactly who the "sons of God" are, but it clearly distinguishes them from ordinary human men. This act of taking wives is presented as significant, leading into the explanation of why God later brings judgment on the earth.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:2

  • "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "sons" or "children." In this context, it is paired with "God" to form "sons of God," a phrase that has sparked much discussion about its meaning.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, ʾĕlōhîm): Usually translated "God," but when paired with "sons," it can refer to divine or heavenly beings, not just God Himself.
  • "men" (אָדָם, ʾādām): This word means "man" or "humankind." Here, it refers to ordinary human beings, emphasizing the difference between the "sons of God" and regular people.
  • "fair" (טוֹב, ṭov): This word means "good" or "beautiful." The verse uses it to describe the attractiveness of the daughters of men, which is the reason given for why they were chosen as wives.

Why Genesis 6:2 matters

  • Genesis 6:2 sets up a key turning point before the flood, showing a breakdown of boundaries between different groups, which leads to increasing corruption on earth.
  • The verse introduces the phrase "sons of God," which has been interpreted in different ways (angels, rulers, descendants of Seth), and this shapes how readers understand the rest of the passage.
  • By focusing on the choice and desire of the "sons of God," the verse hints at a world where people (or beings) act according to their own wishes, foreshadowing the moral decline that prompts the flood.