Genesis 6:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 6:4-5

We have here a further account of the corruption of the old world. When the sons of God had matched with the daughters of men, though it was very displeasing to God, yet he did not immediately cut them off, but waited to see what would be the issue of these marriages, and which side the children would take after; and it proved (as usually it does), that they took after the worst side. Here is, I. The temptation they were under to oppress and do violence. They were giants, and they were men of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 6:4

There were giants in the earth in those days ,.... That is, in the days before the sons of God took the daughters of men for wives, in such a general manner as before declared, or before the declension and apostasy became so universal; even in the times of Jared, as the Arabic writers F14 Elmacinus & Patricides apud Hottinger, p. 235, 236. understand it, who say that these giants were begotten on the daughters of Cain by the children of Seth, who went down from the mountain to them... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 6:4

There were giants in the earth - נפלים nephilim , from נפל naphal , "he fell." Those who had apostatized or fallen from the true religion. The Septuagint translate the original word by γιγαντες , which literally signifies earth-born, and which we, following them, term giants, without having any reference to the meaning of the word, which we generally conceive to signify persons of enormous stature. But the word when properly understood makes a very just distinction between the sons... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 6:4

Verse 4 4.There were giants in the earth. Among the innumerable kinds of corruptions with which the earth was filled, Moses especially records one in this place; namely that giants practiced great violence and tyranny. I do not, however, suppose, that he speaks of all the men of this age; but of certain individuals, who, being stronger than the rest, and relying on their own might and power, exalted themselves unlawfully, and without measure. As to the Hebrew noun, נפלים (nefilim,) its origin... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-5

The demoralization of the race. This was due to— I. THE LONG LIVES OF THE ANTEDILUVIANS . Long life, if helpful to the good, is much more injurious to the wicked. Giants in health and life are often giants in wickedness. II. THE UNHOLY ALLIANCES OF THE SETHITES AND CAINITES . Nothing so demoralizing as marriage with an evil woman. Its bad effects are commonly transmitted to, and intensified in, posterity. III. THE DEPRAVITY INDUCED BY THE FALL , which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-8

The days that were before the flood ( Matthew 24:38 ). I. SIN INCREASING . 1. Licentiousness raging . The special form it assumed was that of sensuous gratification, leading to a violation of the law of marriage. In the seventh age Lamech the Cainite became a polygamist. By and by the sons of God, captivated by the charms of beauty, cast aside the bonds of self-restraint, and took them wives of all whom they chose. 2. Violence prevailing . Those who begin by breaking the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-8

The work of sin. The moral chaos out of which the new order is about to be evolved. We find these features in the corrupt state depicted. I. ILL - ASSORTED MARRIAGES . The sons of God— i.e. the seed of the righteous, such men as the patriarchs described in Genesis 5:1-32 ; men who walked with God, and were his prophets—fell away from their allegiance to the Divine order, and went after the daughters of the Cainites, The self-will and mere carnal affections are denoted by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:4

There were . Not became, or arose, as if the giants were the fruit of the previously-mentioned misalliances; but already existed contemporaneously with the sons of God (cf. Keil, Havernick, and Lange). Giants . Nephilim, from naphal, to fall; hence supposed to describe the offspring of the daughters of men and the fallen angels (Hoffman, Delitzsch). The LXX , translate by γι ì γαντες ; whence the "giants" of the A . V . and Vulgate, which Luther rejects as fabulous; but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 6:1-8

- The Growth of Sin3. דון dı̂yn “be down, strive, subdue, judge.” בשׁגם bāshagām “inasmuch, as also.” The rendering “in their error” requires the pointing בשׁגם beshāgām, and the plural form of the following pronoun. It is also unknown to the Septuagint.4. נפילים nepı̂lı̂ym “assailants, fellers, men of violence, tyrants.”Having traced the line of descent from Adam through Sheth, the seed of God, to Noah, the author proceeds to describe the general spread and growth of moral evil in the race... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 6:4

Genesis 6:4. There were giants Men so called partly for their high stature, but principally for their great strength and force, whereby they oppressed and tyrannised over others. For this is mentioned as another sin and cause of the flood. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 6:4-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 6:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 6:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 6:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 6:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 6:1-8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 6:4

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