Bible Commentaries
Genesis 6

Verse 4

sons of God

Some hold that these "sons of God" were the "angels which kept not their first estate" Jude 1:6. It is asserted that the title is in the O.T. exclusively used of angels. But this is an error Isaiah 43:6. Angels are spoken of in a sexless way. No female angels are mentioned in Scripture, and we are expressly told that marriage is unknown among angels. Matthew 22:30.

The uniform Hebrew and Christian interpretation has been that verse Genesis 6:2 marks the breaking down of the separation between the godly line of Seth and the godless line of Cain, and so the failure of the testimony to Jehovah committed to the line of Seth Genesis 4:26. For apostasy there is no remedy but judgment ; Isaiah 1:2-7; Isaiah 1:24; Isaiah 1:25; Hebrews 6:4-8; Hebrews 10:26-31. Noah, "a preacher of righteousness," is given 120 years, but he won no convert, and the judgment predicted by his great- grandfather fell ; Jude 1:14; Jude 1:15; Genesis 7:11.

Verse 5

imagination

Or, the whole imagination. The Hebrew word signifies not only the imagination but also the purposes and desires.

Verse 6

repented the LORD

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 9

walked

Noah and Enoch are the two antediluvians of whom it is said that they "walked with God" Genesis 5:24; Genesis 6:9. Enoch, "translated that he should not see death" Hebrews 11:5 becomes a type of the saints who will be "caught up" before the great tribulation ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 3:10; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21. Noah, preserved through the Flood, is a type of the Israelitish people who will be preserved through the tribulation Jeremiah 30:5-9. See "Tribulation" ; Psalms 2:5; Revelation 7:14.

Verse 14

ark

"Ark": type of Christ as the refuge of His people from judgment Hebrews 11:7. In strictness of application this speaks of the preservation through the "great tribulation" Matthew 24:21; Matthew 24:22 of the remnant of Israel who will turn to the Lord after the Church (typified by Enoch, who was translated to heaven before the judgment of the Flood) has been caught up to meet the Lord ; Genesis 5:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 ; Hebrews 11:5; Isaiah 2:10; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 26:21. But the type also has a present reference to the position of the believer "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:0.), etc. It should be noted that the word translated "pitch" in Genesis 6:14 is the same word translated "atonement" in Leviticus 17:11 etc. It is atonement that keeps out the waters of judgment and makes the believer's position "in Christ" safe and blessed.

Verse 19

two of every sort

Cf Genesis 7:2.

In addition to two animals, etc., commanded (Genesis 6:19) to be preserved for future increase ("they shall be male and female"), the further command was given more than 100 years later to take of clean beasts, i.e, acceptable for sacrifice, seven each. Exodus gives ten such beasts, or but seventy in all. Modern ships carry hundreds of live beasts, with their food, besides scores of human beings.