Genesis 6:4 kjv

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:4 nkjv

There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:4 niv

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days?and also afterward?when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:4 esv

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

Genesis 6:4 nlt

In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 4 Meaning

Genesis 6:4 describes a significant and unusual state of affairs in the antediluvian world, preceding the Great Flood. It speaks of the presence of "Nephilim" and explains the emergence of "mighty men, men of renown" as the offspring of a peculiar union between "sons of God" and "daughters of men." This verse depicts a society steeped in deep moral corruption, where illicit relationships and the pursuit of power and fame dominated, serving as a key factor in God's decision to bring universal judgment.

Genesis 6 4 Context

Genesis 6:4 is nestled within a pivotal section that sets the stage for the Great Flood. It immediately follows the statement about humanity multiplying and God's Spirit striving with man, and it precedes God's profound regret over human wickedness and His decision to destroy humanity from the face of the earth (Gen 6:5-7). The verse provides a foundational explanation for the rapid escalation of depravity and violence in the world, painting a picture of broken divine and moral order that culminated in judgment. It describes an extraordinary time when a distinctive group, whether celestial or human, initiated unions that gave rise to a formidable lineage of powerful, celebrated figures who likely contributed significantly to the "corruption" and "violence" permeating the pre-Flood world.

Genesis 6 4 Word analysis

• giants: Hebrew Nephilim (נְפִילִים). The term is highly debated, potentially deriving from naphal meaning "to fall," suggesting either "fallen ones" (referring to their origins or the state of their nature) or "those who cause others to fall" (referring to their oppressive influence). It implies extraordinary, formidable beings, often associated with immense stature or power, as seen later in Num 13:33. Their existence signifies a world out of natural or divine order.
• in the earth: Hebrew ’erets (אֶרֶץ). This emphasizes the global extent of their presence and the pervasive corruption that encompassed the entire world, not merely a localized issue.
• in those days: Pinpoints a specific epoch in history, namely the period just before the Great Flood, signifying the intensified state of moral degradation.
• and also after that: This critical phrase suggests a continuation or recurrence of these "Nephilim" or similar beings. It informs the discussion of giants found later in the Book of Numbers, implying their lineage might not have been entirely wiped out by the Flood, or that the phenomenon reappeared.
• when the sons of God: Hebrew benê hā’ĕlōhîm (בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים). This is arguably the most debated phrase.
  • Interpretation A (Angelic/Divine Beings): This prevalent view, strongly supported by ancient Jewish traditions (e.g., Book of Enoch) and early Church Fathers, identifies them as disobedient celestial beings (angels or divine council members) who transgressed divine boundaries by cohabiting with human women (cf. Jude 1:6, 2 Pet 2:4).
  • Interpretation B (Sethite Lineage): This view suggests they are the righteous descendants of Seth, the line from whom humanity would call upon the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26), who then corrupted themselves by intermarrying with the "daughters of men," meaning the ungodly descendants of Cain, thus blurring the distinction between pious and worldly lineages.
  • Interpretation C (Powerful Rulers/Tyrants): This view understands elohim here as denoting human rulers or powerful men who, by virtue of their might, behaved like deities, asserting dominion and seizing women, establishing tyrannical dynasties.
• came in unto: A biblical idiom and euphemism for sexual intercourse, emphasizing the illicit and voluntary nature of these unions.
• the daughters of men: Hebrew benôṯ hā’āḏām (בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם). Clearly refers to human females. In contrast to "sons of God," this distinguishes them as belonging to common humanity, often understood as representing worldly and ungodly women if the "sons of God" are interpreted as pious.
• and they bare children to them: Direct consequence of the unions, producing offspring with unique characteristics.
• the same became mighty men: Hebrew gibbôrîm (גִּבֹּרִים). Signifies powerful individuals, warriors, or heroes. While "mighty men" can be used positively in other contexts (e.g., David's mighty men), here, in a context of profound wickedness, it implies individuals of self-asserted power and potentially oppressive rule. These "mighty men" are distinct from, but related to, the Nephilim already existing, possibly referring to the Nephilim themselves, or a distinct class of powerful offspring arising from these specific unions.
• which were of old: Refers to their presence in ancient, legendary times, marking them as figures of historical significance in humanity's early history.
• men of renown: Hebrew ’anšê haššēm (אַנְשֵׁי הַשֵּׁם). Literally "men of name." This indicates individuals who acquired fame, reputation, or celebrated status. In a biblical context where true renown comes from God (Gen 12:2), self-made renown often points to human pride and rebellion (cf. Tower of Babel, Gen 11:4). This suggests their fame was rooted in power, exploits, and worldly glory, not godliness.

Words-group by words-group:

• "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that": This opening phrase introduces the existence of a unique, formidable race (Nephilim) and emphasizes their presence both immediately before the specific unions discussed and at later points in history, indicating a recurring or persistent phenomenon of giant-like figures.
• "when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men": This phrase pinpoints the precise act that led to a specific kind of corrupted offspring. It highlights a critical breach of boundaries, whether spiritual (angels crossing into human realm) or moral (pious line intermarrying with wicked line), directly linking this union to the resulting perversion of humanity.
• "and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown": This concluding phrase describes the extraordinary and famous offspring of these illicit unions. These "mighty men" were powerful, renowned figures, whose worldly glory likely contributed to the "violence" and "corruption" that pervaded the pre-Flood world, driving humanity further into rebellion against God.

Genesis 6 4 Bonus section

• Ancient Near Eastern Context and Polemic: The concept of divine or semi-divine beings intermingling with humans and producing heroic offspring was common in pagan myths of the Ancient Near East (e.g., the Gilgamesh epic). Genesis 6:4 can be seen as a theological polemic against such narratives. Instead of depicting these unions as noble origins for kings or heroes, the biblical account frames them as perverse, leading to judgment, thereby underscoring the uniqueness and holiness of the One True God who maintains His distinctiveness from His creation and judges sin.
• The Problem of Corrupted Leadership: If "sons of God" refers to powerful rulers or even judges who should have been God's representatives, then their actions highlight the danger of corrupted leadership. When those entrusted with authority abuse their power for self-gratification and exploitation (taking any "daughters of men" they chose), they pervert justice and lead society into deeper wickedness, necessitating divine accountability.
• A Theological Explanation for Judgment: More than a mere historical account, Gen 6:4 provides a crucial theological justification for the extreme measure of the Flood. The scale of the "unnatural" (whether angelic intrusion or extreme human perversion) and the depth of humanity's commitment to self-glorifying "might" and "renown" instead of worshiping God demonstrated a pervasive corruption that threatened the very possibility of redemption. It established the pre-Flood world as utterly antithetical to God's created order and holy character.

Genesis 6 4 Commentary

Genesis 6:4 is a concise yet profound statement on the accelerated moral decline of humanity prior to the Flood. It details two intertwined realities: the prior existence of the "Nephilim," potentially a fallen, destructive race, and the new emergence of "mighty men, men of renown" resulting from unions between the "sons of God" and "daughters of men." Regardless of whether "sons of God" refers to fallen angels, godly Sethites, or tyrannical rulers, the verse points to a catastrophic breach of divine and natural order. The offspring, described as powerful and famous figures, epitomize human pride, ambition, and the pursuit of glory apart from God. Their actions, contributing to widespread violence and corruption (Gen 6:11-12), sealed humanity's fate and made the cataclysmic judgment of the Flood both necessary and just. It underscores how perverted relationships and the abuse of power can lead to the total depravity of society, demanding divine intervention.