Genesis 6:2 Meaning and Explanation
“That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Divine beings saw human women, found them beautiful, and took them as wives.
The Context of Genesis 6:2
Divine beings cross the boundary between heaven and earth.
What Does Genesis 6:2 Mean?
The text describes a striking union: beings called 'sons of God' (bene elohim) observed human women and found them attractive. They acted on that attraction, taking wives from among humanity without apparent restraint or selection criteria other than their own desire. This crossing of the boundary between divine and human realms sets up the crisis in what follows.
This act represents a transgression of the divinely-ordered separation between heaven and earth. The phrase 'all which they chose' emphasizes unilateral divine agency—no negotiation, no consent structure is mentioned. The verse presents this boundary-crossing as the immediate catalyst for the conflict to come.
Genesis 6:2 in the Original Language
bene elohim (בְנֵי־אֱלֹהִים), 'sons of God' — literal offspring or beings in the divine council; not human, and marked by heavenly status.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 6:2
What does Genesis 6:2 mean?
Divine beings saw human women, found them beautiful, and took them as wives.
What is the context of Genesis 6:2?
Divine beings cross the boundary between heaven and earth.