Genesis 6

— violence.] Cruelty, and outrage, and injustice of every kind. Men were corrupt, that is, irreligious towards God; and unjust to one another. Bp. Kidder. Uncleanness, covetousness, and oppression, were the special causes which occasioned the flood. Bp. Latimer.

In the period between the creation of the world and the flood, all mankind had, or might have had, a perfect knowledge of the will of God, and of their duty, had it not been their own fault: for Methuselah lived with Adam two hundred and forty-three years, and with Noah six hundred: so that no man needed to want information of the creation, &c. that had a mind to be informed. Bp. Wilson.

— The length of the ark &c.] The dimensions of the ark were 300 cubits in length, 50 in breadth, and 30 in height: and it consisted of three stories or floors. Reckoning the cubit at 18 inches, it must have been of the burden of 42,413 tons. A first-rate man of war is between 2,200 and 2,300 tons; and consequently the ark had the capacity or stowage of 18 such ships, the largest in present use, and might carry 20,000 men with provisions for six months, besides the weight of 1800 cannons and of all military stores. It was then by much the largest ship ever built. Can we doubt of its being sufficient to contain eight persons, and about 200 or 250 pair of fourfooted animals; (a number, to which, according to Buffon, all the various distinct species may be reduced;) together with all the subsistence necessary for a twelvemonth? Dr. Hale.

— cubits.] The Hebrews made use of three sorts of cubits: 1. The common cubit, which was about one foot and a half of our measure. 2. The sacred cubit, which was a hand’s breadth more than the common cubit. 3. The geometrical cubit, which was about nine feet. The ark is to be measured by the common cubit. The standard of the common cubit was that part of a man’s arm, which reaches from the bend of the elbow to the point of the middle finger. If we think the stature of mankind in Moses’ time larger than it is now, we may suppose the common cubit something larger than we shall now compute it: if not, the strict measure of the ark will be, length 450 feet, breadth 75, height 45: and the best writers generally agree, that the common stature of mankind has always been much the same that it now is. Shackford.

Ver. 1. — for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.] Thee only have I found, in this corrupt and depraved age, free from the common infection of wickedness, and sincere-hearted towards Me. Bp. Hall.

Genesis 6:2

2. Of every clean beast] The distinction between beasts, that were clean and unclean, being made by the law, has given some a colour to imagine, that Moses wrote this book, after his coming out of Egypt, and receiving of the law. But though with respect to man’s food, the distinction between clean and unclean was not before the law, yet some were accounted fit for sacrifices, and others unfit, from the very first beginning; and then, unclean beasts in this place must denote such as are rapacious, which were not to be offered to God. In short, since the rite of sacrificing was before the flood, we may well suppose that this distinction also was before it: and we may suppose farther, that, as the rite was undoubtedly of God’s institution, so the difference of clean and unclean creatures to be sacrificed, was of His appointment likewise. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse.

Many things, established afterwards in the law of Moses, obtained before that law, and were generally practised by the worshippers of God; for example: sacrifices, (chap. iv. 3, 4; viii. 20; xiii. 18,) the paying of tithe, (chap. xiv. 20,) circumcision, (chap. xvii. 11,) the right of primogeniture, (chap. xxv. 33,) making vows, (chap. xxviii. 20; xxxi. 13,) marrying the brother’s wife, (chap. xxxviii. 8.) And some of those things, which Moses forbad, were forbidden before his law: as the eating of blood, and murder, which was a capital crime before the law, (chap. ix. 4, 5.) And there is no doubt, but the difference of clean and unclean beasts, with respect to sacrifice, was known and observed before the Law of Moses, and before the Flood. Bp. Kidder.

— by sevens.] Seven couple, most probably; that they might have sufficient for sacrifice when they came out of the ark; and if need were, for food, if other provision did not hold out: at least for food after the flood, when God enlarged their former grant, chap. ix. 3. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 6:3

3. My spirit] Either speaking by His prophets, such as Enoch had been, and Noah was; or, working inwardly in all men’s hearts. “Shall not always strive with man,” chide and reprove them, and thereby endeavour to bring them to repentance; but proceed to punish them. “For that he also is flesh;” for that, besides his wicked actions, he is grown wholly fleshly in his inclinations and affections. He savours nothing but carnal things, and consequently is incurable. “Yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years;” yet I will not destroy mankind presently; but have patience with them so long, that it may appear I would willingly have saved them. Bp. Patrick.

The time of the primary denunciation of this sad judgment was no less than 120 years before it came. Which was, I suppose, the time, that “the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,” 1 Pet. iii. 20; and while Noah himself, the great “preacher of righteousness,” warned them of the certainty and greatness of this impending calamity. Whiston.

As it was with the world in the days of Noah, so

will it be also in the days of the Son of Man, and so is it in the present days with nations and individuals. They have their times and their seasons of trial and probation, and they have their warnings: after which the axe is laid to the root of the tree, and nothing in heaven or in earth can stay for one moment the uplifted hand of Justice from striking the fatal stroke. Open them, blessed Lord, our eyes, that we may see the things which belong unto our peace, before they are hid for ever from our sight! Bp. Horne.

Genesis 6:4

4. There were giants in the earth in those days;] It is not agreed upon by interpreters, whether Moses intended, by this phrase, to express the uncommon stature and bulkiness of these men; or the cruelty, rapine, and violence of their dispositions and practices, describing them as thieves, robbers, and oppressors. Pyle.

They were giants, of the property of giants: not that they were greater men of stature and strength of body, than other men were; but they were “giants” for their cruelty, violence, and covetous oppression. Bp. Latimer.

From the marriages of the sons of Seth with the daughters of Cain sprang a race of men, who, whatever they were as to stature, became overgrown monsters of apostasy, impiety and iniquity: so that in process of time the earth was totally overspread with “corruption” and “violence” of all kinds. Bp. Horne.

Genesis 6:5

5. And God saw] That is, when the merciful space of “an hundred and twenty years,” allowed for man’s repentance, was expired. Pyle.

— every imagination &c.] All the secret thoughts and purposes of his mind were always bent upon evil. Not only the practices of men were evil, (as it is said, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great,”) but the principles, from whence those actions flowed, were generally corrupted also. Bp. Kidder.

While principles remain, practices may be altered and amended: but those once gone, there remains no farther hope of a reformation, because there is then nothing to ground one upon. Let this be a warning to all, who would avert the judgments of God, that they spare no time or pains in fixing Christian principles in the hearts of those for whom they are concerned. Bp. Horne.

This is a description of an extraordinary degeneracy of men, signifying that the world was then extremely bad, and depraved to the highest degree. God gives this as a reason, why he was resolved to drown the world, and to “destroy man from the face of the earth,” because their wickedness was grown to so great an height. Abp. Tillotson.

Genesis 6:6

6. And it repented the Lord &c] God can properly neither repent, nor be grieved. But such expressions signify He resolved to do, as men do; who, when they repent of any thing, endeavour to undo it. Bp. Patrick.

As the conversion of a sinner is said to cause “joy in heaven,” so here, to shew the exceeding love of God

Noah findeth grace, being just and upright.

Genesis 6:8

8. But Noah found grace] The phrase here means, obtained favour. Compare Heb. xi. 7. Bp. Kidder. This single person God resolved to spare, because (as it follows) he continued untainted, in the midst of an universal contagion. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 6:9

9. These are the generations of Noah:] This is an account of his family: or, these are the things which befel him and his family. Bp. Patrick.

— Noah was a just man &c.] Had not the same Spirit by St. Peter, 2 Pet. ii. 5, told us that he was “a preacher of righteousness,” we should not have known it. (This shews that a great many things in this short account, which Moses gives, are omitted. Noah, having been convinced of God’s hatred to sin by his own deliverance, and the punishment of the former world, no doubt took all imaginable pains, and became a great “preacher of righteousness” to the new world as well as to the old. Bp. Wilson.

— perfect in his generations.] He was an upright and sincere man, and unblamable in the midst of a wicked and ungodly world. Bp. Kidder.

“Perfect,” not as the holy Jesus was perfect, or as “the spirits of just men” are to be made perfect in heaven; but with such perfection as man can attain unto in this his state of pilgrimage. Bp. Horne.

Sincerity, or integrity of heart, is that which God is pleased to accept of in the new covenant, instead of perfection, and is frequently called by that name: as where Noah is said to be “a just man and perfect,” Gen. vi. 9, and Job to be a “perfect and upright” man, chap. i. 1; that is, they were cordial and sincere in all their duties to God, serving Him in holiness and righteousness before Him or in His sight all their days, Luke i. 75. Thus God himself seems to explain the word, when He ratified and confirmed the new covenant with Abram, saying, “Walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” Gen. xvii. 1. As if He had said, “Walk always as in my sight, so as to keep thy heart right and sincere before Me, and then by the covenant, which I now establish with thee, thou shalt be perfect, for I will accept of thee as such.” Bp. Beveridge.

— and Noah walked with God.] It is of unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, words, and actions at some laudable end, whether it be the glory of our Maker, the good of mankind, or the benefit of our own souls. A person, who is possessed with such an habitual good intention, enters upon no single circumstance of life, without considering it as well-pleasing to the Author of his being, conformable to the dictates of reason, suitable to human nature in general, or to that particular station in which Providence has placed him. He lives in a perpetual sense of the Divine Presence, regards himself as acting, in the whole course of his existence, under the observation and inspection of that

Noah findeth grace. The order,

Genesis 6:12

12. And God looked upon the earth.] The hundred and twenty years, allowed by God for mankind to repent, now drawing to an end, God is represented, as if in a special manner He “looked upon the earth” to see what use mankind had made of His gracious forbearance. Dr. Wells.

Genesis 6:13

13. — The end of all flesh is come before me;] I am determined to make an end of, that is to destroy, all mankind shortly. Bp. Patrick.

Very many methods of mercy having been employed

for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them || with the earth.

Genesis 6:14

14. Make thee an ark] This vessel was not made in the form of one of our ships or boats, sharp forward and at the bottom to cut the waves, but broad at the ends, like a chest, and flat at the bottom, with a cover or a roof. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.

The Hebrew word, which we render ark, occurs only here, and in another place, where Moses, when an infant, is said to have been put into one made of bulrushes, Exod. ii. 3. It is supposed to come from a root, which signifies to dwell or inhabit, and may therefore here denote a house or place of abode. Stackhouse.

— gopher-wood;] Probably cypress; which abounded in Babylonia, and was a durable timber fit for shipbuilding. The bitumen also, with which the ark was pitched both inside and outside, abounded in Babylonia, which probably was the country of Noah’s residence; not far, we may presume, from the original settlement of Adam’s family, in the neighbourhood of Eden, after the fall. Dr. Halse.

— rooms shalt thou make] Little cabins or cells, to sever the beasts from the birds; the clean beasts from the unclean; and to preserve their several kinds of food. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 6:15

15. And this is the fashion &c.] When one sees with what unconcernedness Moses relates the dimensions of the ark, which at first view seems too little for such a number of creatures and provisions as it was to hold;

form, and end of the ark. Before CHRIST 2446.

the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

Genesis 6:16

16. A window shalt thou make] To let in light to the several apartments. For which purpose should we conceive that one great window might be contrived so as to be sufficient, that would not exclude many little ones, here and there, for greater convenience. Bp. Patrick.

— and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above;] It, that is, the ark; which was covered with a roof, raised a cubit high in the middle to carry off the rain. Stackhouse.

— with lower, second, and third stories] The lower story was probably for the greater beasts; the second for stowage of provisions; the third for Noah’s family, and the fowls, and perhaps some of the smaller creatures. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 6:17

17. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters here.] That is, all creatures shall unavoidably be swept away; for I myself will bring a deluge upon them: not

and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

Genesis 6:18

18. — with thee will I establish my covenant;] Either the promise to preserve him and his family in the ark; or the covenant concerning the promised Seed of the woman. Bp. Patrick.

Although this is the first place, where a “covenant” is expressly mentioned in Scripture, it appears, from the form of words here used, to have subsisted before. It is not said, a covenant, but “my covenant will I establish with thee;” plainly referring to the same covenant, which God had made with Adam. As if God had said, “I do not revoke My covenant made with Adam, notwithstanding it hath, on man’s part, been so grievously infringed: but I establish and confirm it to thee, and to all that shall descend from thee.” The covenant, here spoken of, is not the first, but the second covenant; not the covenant of works, but that of grace and mercy, by which we are now saved, even the gospel of peace, and grand charter of our salvation: the person, spoken to, was Noah, not in his private capacity only, but in his publick character, as a second Adam, the head and representative of all mankind, and so the type and figure of Christ, the new man, who was to restore to the world that life which had been lost by the first: and the benefit, thus renewed and confirmed, was to extend to his posterity, to “him, and his sons, and his seed after him.” Consequently as the grant is general, and without any limitation or reservation whatsoever, except what necessarily results from the nature of the covenant itself, namely, the terms and conditions on our part; and as God has likewise in the Gospel declared, that “He would have all men to be saved;” the miscarriage of no one soul can justly be imputed to Him on His part of the covenant He has never failed, and never will: the default is wholly on the side of men, who reject the covenant when it is offered to them, or neglect the terms of it, and so forfeit the benefit. Wogan.

Genesis 6:19

19. — two of every sort] Not that there shall be but Before CHRIST 2446. Noah, with his family, and the living creatures, Before CHRIST 2448.

of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

Genesis 6:20

20. — two of every sort shall come unto thee.] In the foregoing verse he had said, “two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark.” Which Noah might think impossible; for how should he get them all together? Therefore it is here explained in these words, they “shall come unto thee;” by the care of God, who made them, and moved them to it. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 6:22

22. Thus did Noah: according to all that God commanded him, &c.] The Apostle to the Hebrews, chap. xi. 7, mentions Noah’s building the ark, as an heroick act of faith: “By faith, Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark, to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” For, we may well imagine that this work of his was not only costly and laborious, but esteemed by the generality very foolish and ridiculous; especially when they saw all things continue in the same posture and safety, for so many scores of years together. Stackhouse.

The conduct of the patriarch upon this occasion shows us what ours ought to be in like circumstances. “According to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Being once well assured, upon good and sufficient evidence, what the will of God is, we should suffer no appearances of things, or opinions of men, to discourage and prevent us from accomplishing it, to the utmost of our ability. The only question to be asked is—Hath God spoken it? This being resolved in the affirmative, the soul is to rest on His word and promise, as an anchor sure and stedfast, from which she should never suffer herself to be parted by all the doubts, difficulties, and objections in the world. In simplicity and godly sincerity let her do what she is commanded to do, waiting with patience the appointed time; and in the end God will be found true, though all men are liars. Bp. Horne.

Noah built the ark and laid up provisions for all creatures, as here directed, when the hundred and twenty years drew towards an end. Bp. Patrick.

Chap. VII. Noah had as perfect an account of whatever had happened since the Creation, as any man can

take to thee by +sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

Before CHRIST 2349. + Heb. seven seven.