For those of us who are already married, it is interesting to think back on when we were still “in the hunt.” Back then, our eyes were wide open and always looking for someone who might be a good fit. Then when a relationship started to develop and a strong feeling of “like” started to settle in, we wondered if this person could be the one. Back then, infatuation often kept us from thinking clearly, but there were still a few things on our list that we felt strongly about. What was on your list? Maybe it contained things like good looks, similar interests, easy to talk to, and shared values. In our passage today, we will see that some people had only one qualification and it didn’t result in a good marriage.
- What does it say? (Genesis 6:1-4)
It came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, that the sons of Elohim saw that the daughters of men were pleasing to the eye and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And Yahweh said, My Spirit shall not always contend with man, for indeed, he is flesh and his days shall be 120 years. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days. After that, the sons of Elohim also came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them who were infamous mighty men of ancient times.
The problem with understanding what these verses say is that we don’t know exactly who they were referring to. Who is Elohim and who are his sons? Elohim is a Hebrew name that can refer to rulers, judges, superhuman beings including angels, false gods, or God Himself.1 Most Bible translations translate Elohim here as God, but it could refer to one of these other beings. Who are the sons of Elohim?
The term is only used five times in the Old Testament (Gen. 6:2,4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). In Job 1:6 and 2:1, the term refers to some beings who presented themselves before the Lord at certain times. Because Satan is a fallen angel and because he was with them, it seems logical that the sons of Elohim in Job were angels who were reporting to God. The final mention in Job talks about sons of God who shouted for joy at the Creation of the world. No human was there to witness the creation. So, it would make sense that Job was referring to angels. But Job didn’t write the Book of Genesis. Who was Moses referring to in Genesis 6:1-4?
One of the biggest arguments against these sons being angels is something Jesus said in Matthew 22:30. He said that in the resurrection, people will not marry but will be like the angels of God in heaven. It seems fairly clear that the angels of God do not marry and by extension are not involved in physical intimacy. Because of that, it would be impossible for angels to have relations with human women.2 It is more probable that the sons of Elohim in Genesis 6 were either sons of ancient rulers who were known for their might, or sons of believers who were known for their relationship with God. In either case, these sons of Elohim were human men who were attracted to beautiful women, who took them as wives, and who had children who later became famous, mighty men. - What does it mean?
These marriages were based on physical beauty (Gen. 6:2).
In a previous message from Genesis 2, we saw that God created a woman for Adam from one of his ribs. God instructed the newlyweds to multiply and fill the earth. This they did. We are told that Adam and Eve had at least three sons and also had daughters. Over time, these children married and had their own children until the human race had multiplied on the earth. After a while (approximately 1500 years had passed3), men began to notice how beautiful women were. And this became their primary focus for selecting a wife. The commentator George Bush described it this way. “Instead of giving reason time to deliberate and weigh the consequences, they surrendered themselves to the impulses of a headstrong passion … choosing only by the eye and in obedience to their corrupt affections.”4 To sum it up, they saw a beautiful woman and chose her solely based on that.
These marriages were not pleasing to the Lord (Gen. 6:3).
In the very next verse, we read that the Lord was not pleased. He stated that His Spirit would no longer contend with men. In other words, God had been contending with them about their sin. However, it had come to the breaking point. He was “tired” of dealing with their sinful choices. Genesis 6:5-7 gives us a good description of how bad things had gotten. Man had become so wicked that God regretted making them in the first place. The connection between the marriage choices in verses 2 and verse 3 is significant. God stated that man was flesh, meaning that he was often controlled by his desires instead of being guided by God’s Spirit. And as a result of their sinful ways, God limited their days to 120 years. Since men are reported in the Bible to have lived more than 900 years before the Flood, this was probably referring to how long they had left before God would destroy the earth with the Flood.5 God only gave them a certain amount of time to repent before judgment would take them all away.
These marriages were productive (Gen. 6:4).
While it would be interesting to discuss the meaning of the Nephilim or “giants in the land,” suffice it to say that there were very large people who lived at that time. But the more important thing to note is what resulted from these marriages based on fleshly decisions. When the sons of Elohim married the daughters of men, they produced children. These children eventually grew up and became famous. Moses tells us that they were mighty during the old times and became known for their accomplishments. But once again, the next verse describes what they were truly known for—wickedness that permeated every part of their being (Gen. 6:5). These marriages may have produced attractive, famous, and renowned children but they didn’t produce godly young people. - How does it apply?
Your marriage should be based on more than physical attraction.
The sons of Elohim were noted for choosing their wives because of their beauty. Some even say that they may have chosen more than one at a time, perhaps starting the practice of having a harem. Whatever the case, these ungodly men made beauty the main focus when selecting someone to marry. This physical attribute eventually overshadowed all other characteristics the women had.
Have things changed since then? No, many people are still obsessed with physical attractiveness. It is the primary focus in many relationships. But should it be? While beauty is nice, there are many other things that are more important for a lasting marriage. The Bible says that “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30). The point is that physical attractiveness is not as important as godly character. A woman who respects the Lord and wants to please Him is more valuable than a beautiful woman who does not.
If you are searching for a wife, first look for someone who is godly. There are other qualities that should be considered as well but make sure that her spiritual qualities are first. How sad it would be to marry an attractive woman who has little or no interest in the Lord. Let me say one more thing. If you are a Christian who is married to someone who is not interested in the Lord, don’t give up. Love and pray for your spouse. It may be that God will work and change his or her heart.
Your marriage should be focused on pleasing the Lord.
Right after mentioning the search for beautiful women, the Lord stated His displeasure in the fleshly lusts of the people that lived back then. He had been contending with them about their sin, was wanting them to repent, but He was tired of dealing with their wickedness. Do you think there is a connection between the two verses? Men were primarily focused on physical attractiveness and God was grieved with their fleshly decisions. What were these marriages all about?
In today’s world, marriages are often focused on having fun, enjoying life, and living for self. But this is not all that God intended. While God designed marriage for companionship, help, and unity6, He also designed marriage to be focused on serving Him. Christian husbands and wives are to worship the Lord together and to seek to further His kingdom. When a husband and wife both love the Lord and have a desire to please Him, their marriage will be that much closer to each other because of this shared focus.
If you are searching for a wife, consider beforehand how your future relationship will be focused. If you are already married, take steps to make the Lord the center of your relationship. This will strengthen your marriage and keep it going in a direction that pleases the Lord.
Your marriage should produce good things.
The sons of Elohim married beautiful women and later had children. These children were noted for being infamous, mighty men. They were renowned for their accomplishments but not for their godliness. This was a tragedy. Their children were successful and well-known, but they weren’t remembered for doing anything positive for the Lord.
From the beginning, God designed marriage to produce both unity and godly offspring (Mal. 2:15). And when families were especially good at this, God was pleased. Think of what God said about Abraham in Genesis 18:19. God developed a relationship with Abraham so that he would train his descendants to “keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice.” This is still God’s desire for Christian families today. Not all marriages will produce children, but each one should try to make a difference in the lives of those around them.
If you are searching for a wife, make sure that the two of you are aligned in purpose. If you are already married, seek to be unified in this purpose as well. With God’s help, seek to lead your family toward following the Lord. As your children and grandchildren make the right choices, you will be glad that you did.
Conclusion
Our study pointed out some problems in the world before the Great Flood. People’s priorities did not line up with God’s priorities. And as you continue reading through the passage, you might have lost all hope for humanity. But God included a bright ray of hope in Genesis 6:8 which says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Despite all the sinful, fleshly lusts that drove people away from God, there was one man who walked with God and was doing right. God gave him the grace to do what he needed to do and he did it.
Whether you are married or not, be like Noah was. Love the Lord with your whole heart and serve Him faithfully no matter what is happening around you. Focus on God’s priorities. Seek to please the Lord. Do your best to make an impact on the next generation. And as you do, trust that the Lord will bless your endeavors with the grace you need.
Bibliography
Bush, George, Genesis, Unknown: James Family, n.d.
Kidner, Derek, Genesis, Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1967.
Morris, Henry M., The Genesis Record, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991, orig. 1976.
Ross, Allen P., “Genesis” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1989.
Footnotes
- See the definitions listed under Brown-Driver-Briggs at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/430.htm. ↩︎
- Morris strongly disagrees and believes that the sons of Elohim are angels. See pp. 164-170. ↩︎
- Bush 115. ↩︎
- Bush 116. ↩︎
- “The hundred and twenty years could be the time of respite before the Flood (cf. 1 Pet. 3:20), or the shortened average life-span now to be expected. Either of these meanings would be consonant with what follows in Genesis.” Kidner 85. ↩︎
- See https://calvarywillard.org/genesis-218-25-why-does-marriage-exist/. ↩︎