Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 13:1 (Winter 1970)
Article: An Exegetical Study Of Genesis 6:1-4
Author: Leroy Binney

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JETS 13:1 (Winter 1970) p. 43

An Exegetical Study Of Genesis 6:1-4

Leroy Binney

Genesis 6:1–4 connects with the preceding context by the reference to multiplication of the human race, which sums up the nine occurrences in chapter 5 of the phrase “and begat sons and daughters.” It connects with the following context by providing an explanation or an illustration of the wickedness on the earth which was the reason for judgment by an exterminating flood. The exact meaning of the details, however, is widely disputed, and the passage has suffered many interpretations. It is always worthwhile to seek to judge between various interpretations by means of an exegetical study.

Verse 1: “And it came to pass when mankind began to become too numerous upon the face of the land and daughters were born to them” (wayehî kēhēl hāʾād²ām lārōb² ʾal penê hāʾ ăd²āmâ ûb²ānôt² yulled²û lāhem). Since population increases geometrically rather than arithmetically, the rate of multiplication accelerates. Men were no longer a small community, but had experienced the first minor population explosion. We will now see a picture of the corruption of them all, apart from Noah and his family.

Verse 2a: “that sons of god saw daughters of mankind that they were fair (wayyirʾû b²enê̂ hāʾĕlōhîm ʾet² benôt² hāʾād²ām kî ṭôb²ôt² hēnnâĥ) ha’adam in verse 1 obviously refers to mankind as a whole, not to any particular division of man.1 Is there a good reason for assuming a more particular use of this word in the term bānôt² hāʾād²ām, “daughters of men”? It is possible for a universal term to be restricted by the context. For example, note the restricted use of the word “people” in Genesis 14:16, “…and also brought back his brother lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people,”2 Those who take the term b²enê̂ hāʾĕlōhîm, "sons of god,” to mean the chosen portion of mankind, the Sethites, usually consider “daughters of men” by contrast to be the unbelieving Cainite women. Those who take the “sons of God” to be nobles or princes may take the “daughters of men” by contrast to be commoners. Those who take the “s...

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