BBC: Genesis 6:1-3
When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” – Genesis 6:1-3
This passage must be read in the straightforward way that it is described. The conclusion of the text is God’s judgment upon “man”. The text is introduced by describing a definitive time of “man”. Because of this many have read too much into the phrase “sons of God”. The text is simply a reference back to the line of Adam who is called the “son of God” (Luke 3:38).
Many have perverted the text by saying more than is here. Instead what the text plainly says is that the marriage rites derived by God (Gen 2:22-25) is being circumvented. Instead of remaining pleased with God’s provision, the line of Seth seeks out wives apart from the blessing of God.
This perversion of God’s elect people brings about the first great judgment upon the world. In many senses this understanding prepares us for the history of Israel.
