Genesis 6
PATwanting in tho days of his father, God, in some sort, mado up in his age: which was extended to tho longest term of all other men. He died in the very year of tho deluge, according to the import of his name. See ver. 21. they distinguish from nasim, wives, or married women; whom they also took and abused as they pleased. But there is no evidence of this. The plain sense is, that they who had hitherto kept themselves (unless it were some few, see vcr. 15.) unmingled with the posterity of" Cain, according to a solemn charge which their godly forefathers had given them, were now joined to them in marriage, and made one people with them. Which was the greater crime, if we can give any credit to what an Arabic writer saith, (mentioned first by Mr. Sclden, in his book De Diis Syris, cap. 3. Prolegom. et de Jure N. et G. lib. v. cap. 8. f. 578.) that the children of Scth had sworn by the blood of Abel, that they would never leave the mountainous country which they inhabited, to go down into the valley where the children of Cain lived. The same author (viz. Patricides, with Elmacinus, also,) says, that they were inveigled to break this oath by the beauty of Naamah beforementioned, (iv. 22.) and the music of her brother Jubal. For the Cainites spent their time in feasting, music, dancing, and sports: which allured the children of Scth to come down and marry with them. Whereby all manner of impurity, impiety, idolatry, rapine, and violence, filled the whole earth, and that with impunity, as Euscbius observes, (lib. vii. Praepar. cap. 8.) This Moses here takes notice of, that he might give the reason why the whole posterity of Scth, even those who sprang from that holy man Enoch (except Noah and his family), were overflown with the deluge, as w r ell as the race of Cain: because they had defiled themselves with their cursed affinity; and thereby were corrupted with their wicked manners.
Genesis 6:1
ff HEN men began to multiply. To increase exceeding fast; for they were multiplied before, but not so as to fill the earth. Or the word men may be limited to the children of Cain, (see ver. 2.) who now began to be very numerous. And daughters were born to them.] In great numbers: for daughters, no doubt, they had before; but now so many more daughters than sons, that they had not matches for all: no, though we should suppose they followed the steps of Lamech (chap. iv. ver. 19.), and took more wives than one.
Genesis 6:2
The so7is of God. There are two famous interpretations of these words, (besides that of some of the ancients, who took them for angels.) Some understand by the sons of God, tho great men, nobles, rulers, and judges, whether they were of the family of Seth or of Cain: and so, indeed, the word Elohim signifies in many places (Exod. xxi. G. xxii. 28, &c); and the ancient Greek version, which Philo and St. Austin used, perhaps meant no more, where these words aTe translated, ol ayysXot tov 0£oD, the angels of God, his great ministers in this world; who, in aftertirnes, were mistaken for angels in heaven. These great persons were taken with the beauty of the daughters of’men, i.e. of the meaner sort, (for so sometimes men signifies, Psal. xlix. 2, &c.) and took, by force and violence, as many as they pleased; being so potent, as to be able to do any thing with impunity. For they that should have given a good example, and punished vice, were the great promoters of it. But there are other ancient interpreters, and most of the later, who, by the sons of God, understand the posterity of Seth, who were the worshippers of the true God. (iv. ult.) * They saw the daughters of men.] Conversed with the daughters of Cain. So Tho. Aquinas himself interprets it, pars i. q. 51. art. 3. ad G. That they were fair.] Being exceedingly taken with their beauty. And they took them wives.] Made matches with them, and perhaps took more than one a-piece. Of all that they chose.] Whomsoever they liked, (so the word choose is used in many places, Psal. xxv. 12, &c.) without regard to any thing else but their beauty. Some of the Hebrews by daughters understand virgins, which
Genesis 6:3
And the Lord said. Resolved with himself. 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 7nan.] Chide and reprove them, and thereby endeavour to bring them to repentance; but proceed to punish them. There are several other in-* tcrprctations, which may be seen in all commentators: which to me seem more forced than this. 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. Or, as others expound it, even the best of them (the children of Seth) are become fleshly men. Yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.] 1 will not destroy mankind presently; but have patience with them so long, that it may appear I would willingly have saved them.
Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth. Men of vast stature and strength, which tempted them to oppress others by violence: for so several of the ancients translate the Hebrew word nephilim by filawt, violent men, who carried all before them by main force: tyrants, who filled the world with rapines and murders, and all manner of wickedness, having society with the devil (as Euscbius understands it, lib. vii. Praepar. cap. 8.) in infernal arts, which they introduced. Joscphus calls them vftptardc teal iravrbc vTrepcmrac Ka\ov, insolent contemners of all the laws of God and man. Which made Origen look upon them only as impious atheists: but, no doubt, the extraordinary bulk and strength of their body is also intended. In those days.] i. e. v Before the sons of God married with the daughters of men. For these giants wero produced by those who went down and mixed with the.posterity of Cain in the days of Jared: as both Elmacinus and Patricides understand it. And also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them.] The word children is not in the Hebrew: audit better agrees with what goes before to translate it, u Even they bare giants unto them." Besides those which were before, there was a new race of gigantic persons begot by the sons of God upon the daughters of men. The same became mighty men.] Of great power, as well as strength of body. Which were of old.] This may refer either to what goea before, or to that which follows. Men of renown.] Of great undertakings, and adventurous actions: which got them a great name in ancient time. But they w r ere no less famous for their wickedness, than for their valorous and great.exploits; for by their means all mankind were overrun with impiety, as it follows in the next verse.
Genesis 6:5
God saw the wickedness of man, that it was great, &c. All sorts of wickedness in a high degree overspread the whole earth. And that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, &c.] And that there were no hopes of their amendment; their very minds being so set upon wickedness, that they thought of nothing elso but how to satisfy their lusts. In the margin it is, “their whole imagination,” i.e. all the designs and contrivances of all the men of that age, and this continually, day and night, were only rapine, filthiness, and all manner of evil.
Genesis 6:6
And God repented, &c. God can neither properly 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. And so it hero follows; — Vcr. 7. The Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created, 8cc] Though they be my creatures, I am resolved to have no pity upon them, but to abolish them, and all things else upon the earth. For that sort of punishment, which God intended, would in its own nature sweep all away. For it repenteth me that I have made them.] See yer. G. This represents how highly God was offended, that he would leave nothing of the old world remaining, but only to preserve the seed of d new one. Vcr. 8. But Noah found grace, &c] This single pfcrson God resolved to spare, because (as it follows) ho continued untainted in the midst of an universal contagion.
Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah. An account of his family. Or, as Paulus Fagius (who, upon xxxvii. 2. expounds the word we translate generations, to signify events), " These are the things which befel Noah and his family." Which way soever we expound this, the next words arc inserted by a parenthesis as a character of Noah, who was A just man.] Free from that violence which the rest committed. And perfect in his generations.] Not guilty of any of those other sins which every where abounded..® [chap. VI. And Noah walked with God.’] Not only did well, but was addicted (as we speak) to it; continuing constant in the way of righteousness.
Genesis 6:10
And Noah begat three sons, &c. Vid. chap. x. vcr. 1.
Genesis 6:11
Hie earth also was corrupted before God. The Jewish doctors say, that by corruption is always understood cither filthiness (or forbidden mixtures), or else idolatry. Somo take the firstto be here meant; and then the next words, “filled with violence,” denote their perverting of justice, taking bribes, and oppressing men by open force. But others think it better by corruption to.understand idolatry: and then this generation is accused of the two highest crimes that can be committed; the one of which is between man and his neighbour, and the other between man and God. The highest degree of the former is, when they that sit in judgment make unrighteous decrees: which It. Solomon thinks is principally meant in these words, " the earth was filled with violence." See Mr. Selden, lib v. de Jure N. et G. cap. 9. latter end. However we understand the words, they point at some special enormous sins, which arc only co prehended in general words before. Vcr. 12. God looked upon the earth, Sec] No fruits of God’s long-suffering appearing, lie resolved to visit men for their wickedness; which had rather increased, than been lessened, by his forbearing them one hundred and twenty years: which now, we must suppose, drew near to an end, (ver. 13.) The observation of some of the Hebrew doctors, perhaps, is too curious, which is this: that the name of Jehovah, which we translate Lord, is used ver. 3. where the first mention is made of this matter; for it betokens the clemency of the Divine Majesty, till the one hundred and twenty years were out, and then Moses uses the word Elohim, which is a name of judgment; the time of which was come. For all flesh (i. e. all men,) had corrupted his icay upon earth.] Wholly departed from the rule of righteousness; or had made their way of life abominable throughout the whole world.
Genesis 6:13
The end of all flesh is come before me. I am determined to make an end of (i. e. to destroy,) all mankind shortly. So it follows: J will destroy them with the earth.] I e. With all the beasts and the fruits of the earth. Or, from the earth, as it is in the margin.
Genesis 6:14
Make thee an ark. This vessel was not in the form of one of our ships, or boats: for it was not made sharp forward to cut the waves, but broad like a chest; and therefore had a flat bottom, with a cover or a roof. We do not find it had any rudder, being steered by angels. Of gopher-wood.] There are various opinions about gopher, which some take for cedar, others for pine, &c.; but our learned Nic. Fuller, in his Miscellanies, hath observed, that it is nothing else but that which the Greeks call KvirbpuraoQ, the cypress-tree. For, taking away the termination, cupar and gopher differ very little in their sound. Eochartus hath confirmed this, and shewn that no country abounds so much with this wood as that part of Assyria which was about Babylon: where Arrianus, says Alexander, built a navy of these trees, rotrwy yitp ft 6i>ov rCJy Bivtywy tvwoptay elyai ly rp X W W ™ y f Atrtrvplwv $ &C. (lib. vii.) For there is great plenty of these trees alone in the country of Assyria; but of other fit for lurking ships there is great scarcity. Strabo saith the same; (lib.xvi.) from whence Bochart thinks it probable, that Noah and his children lived in this country before the flood; for it is not likely that such a vast hulk as the ark was carried far from the place where it was made: and the mountains of Ararat, which he will have to be the Gordiocan mountains, are upon the borders of Assyria northward; which way the wind blew (if there were any) in all likelihood; the rain coming from the South Sea. (Lib. i. Phaleg. cap. 4.) Rooms shall thou make.] Little cabins or cells; to sever the beasts from the birds; the clean beasts from the unclean; and to preserve their several sorts of food. And shall pitch it, &c] So the Arabic translation expressly, “pitch it with pitch” For the bitumen, which was plentiful thereabouts (which others think is here meant), was of the same nature, and served for the same use with pitch: being very glutinous and tenacious, to keep things close together. But not only the chinks were filled with it, but the whole body of the ark seems to have been all over daubed with it. Within.’] To give a wholesome scent, some think, among so many beasts. And without.] To make the ark more glib and slippery, to swim in the water more easily.
Genesis 6:15
And this is the fashion, &c. There are those who take these for geometrical cubits; every one of which contains six of the common. But there is no need of such: for, taking them for common cubits, containing each only one foot and a half, it is demonstrable there might be room enough in the ark for all sorts of beasts and birds, with Noah’s family, and their necessary provision. (See ver. Ver. 1G. A window shall thou make to the ark.] To let in the light into the several apartments: for which, should we conceive, that one great window might he so contrived as to be sufficient; I do not see how that would exclude many little ones, here and there, for greater convenience. And in a cubit shall thou finish it above.] That is, finish the ark; which had a cover, it is plain, from via. 13. and was made shelving, that the rain might slide off. And the door of the ark shall thou set in the side thereof J] But on what side, or whereabouts on the side, is not certain. It is probable on one of the long sides, and in tho middle of it. Patricides calls’it the eastern side. With lower, second, and third stories, &c.] That Arabian author, and Pirkc Elieser (cap. 23.), place Noah and his family in the uppermost story; tho birds in the middle; and the beasts in the lowest. But they forgot to leave’ u place for their provision: and therefore they make a better distribution, who think the beasts were bestowed in the lower story, and that the third served for the birds, with Noah and his family: the second, between them both, being left for the stores that were to be laid in of meat and drink for them all. The creeping things, some think, might well live in the space between the lower story and the bottom of the ark.
Genesis 6:17
And behold I, even I, do bring afloodofxvaters, &c. i. e. They shall unavoidably be all swept away; for
He called his name Noah. Which signifies rest, or refreshment; which proceeds from rest and quieti Because, says lie, This same shall comfort its, concerning our work and toil of our hands.] He expected, some think, that he should lie the blessed seed, promised iii. 15; or, that it should spring immediately from him. But the last words, toil of our hands, seem to import some inferior consolation, which he expected from Noah: and the Hebrew interpreters generally expound it thus, " He shall make our labour in tilling the earth more easy and less toilsome to us." Which agrees to what follows: Because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed.’] There was a general curse upon it for tho sin of Adam; and a particular upon sbmo part of it for the sin of Cain. Now God, he foretels, would take them both off in great measure; and bless the earth to the posterity of this same man: who perfected the art of husbandry, and found out fitter instruments for ploughing the earth than had.been known before. When men being chiefly employed in digging and throwing up the earth with their own hands, their labour was more difficult: which now is much abated, because the pains lie more upon beasts than upon men. And, indeed, Noah is called (ix. 20.) Isch haadamah, a man of the ground (which we translate an husbandman)\ one that improved agriculture, as other famous men had done pasturage, and found out other arts, (iv. 20, &c.) In the same place, also, (ix. 20.) we rdad that Noah planted a vineyard: with respect to which, if he was the first inventor of making wine, he might well be said here to comfort them concerning their -work and toil of their hands; wine cheering the heart, and reviving the spirits of men, that are spent with labour. But if the last words of this verse be expounded, of the Lord’s cursing the ground by sending a flood upon it, as Enoch had foretold; then Noah is here called their comforter, with respect to his being the restorer of the world, after it had been dispeopled by that inundation. And so Jacobus Capcllus, not unreasonably interprets them to have relation to both cutscs, m a malediclione, quam teroe inflixit, ct inflicturus est Deus." — He shall give men rest from the curse which God hath inflicted, and intends further to inflict upon the earth. Hist. Sacra et Exot. ad A.M. 1053.
And Noah was five hundred years old. See ver. 6. where I have said enough, to shew it is not reasonable to think he had no children till this age of his life. And Notxh begat Shem, Ham, and Japhet.] Here ends the line of Adam, before the flood. For though these three wero married, as appears vii. 13. before the flood came; yet they cither had no children, or they did not live: for they carried none with them into the ark. It doth not follow that Shem was the eldest of these three, because he is hero and every where else in this book mentioned first: for I shall shew plainly, in its due place, that Japhet was the eldest, (x. 21.) Scaliger, indeed, would have this a settled rule, that, " Hunc ordinem filii in S’criplura habent, qucm illis natura dedit." — That children are placed in Scripture, according to the order which nature hath given them. But it is apparent from many instances, that the Scripiures hath regard to their dignity other ways, and not to the order of their birth: as Abraham is mentioned before Nahor and Haran, " merito exeellentise," — with respect to his excellence, (as St. Austin speaks,) to which God raised him, though ho was not the eldest son of Terah. (Gen. xi. 28.) Thus, Jacob is mentioned before Esau, (Mai. i. 1.) and Isaac before Ishmael, (1 Chron. i.28.) Thus, Shcm’s eminence, in other respects, placed him before Japhet, to whom he was inferior in the order of nature: as appears even from their genealogy both in Gen. x. and 1 Chron. i. where Shcm’s posterity are placed below those of both his other brothers.