Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 6

1. AND it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the Earth, and Daughters were born unto them .

(i. e.) Wicked men the posterity of Cain, as appears from the following verse: Who are here called men, and the Sons of men, by way of contempt, and of distinction, meer men, such as had only the natures and qualities of corrupt men, without the image of God.

To wit more than ordinarily, or more than the Sons of God, because they practised Polygamy after the example of their Predecessor, the ungodly Lamech, Gen. 4. 19.

So doubtless were Sons also; but their Daughters are here mentioned as one principal occasion of the sin noted in the next verse and of the following deluge.

2. That the Sons of God saw the Daughters of men , that they were fair , and they took them Wives of all which they chose .

Either 1. Persons of greatest eminency for place and power, for such are called Gods, and Children of the Most High, Psal. 82. 6. Where also they are opposed to Men, ver. 7. i. e. to meaner men. And the most eminent things in their kinds are attributed to God, as Cedars of God, Hill of God, &c. But it is not probable, that the Princes and Nobles should generally take Wives or Women of the meaner rank, nor would the Marriages of such persons be simply condemned, or at least it would not be mentioned as a crying sin, and a great cause of the deluge. Or rather 2. The Children of Seth, and Enos, the professors of the true Religion: For, 1. Such and onely such in the common use of Scripture are called the Sons and Children of God, as Deut. 14. 1. and 32. 19. Isa. 1. 2. and 45. 11. Hos. 11. 1. Luke 17. 27. &c. 2. This title manifestly relates to Gen. 4. 26. where the same persons are said to be called by the name of the Lord, i. e. to be the Sons and Servants of God. 3. They are opposed to the Daughters of Men, the word Men being here taken in an ill sense, for such as had nothing in them but the nature of Men, which is corrupt and abominable, and were not Sons of God, but forreigners and strangers to him, and Apostates from him. 4. These unequal matches with persons of a false Religion are every where condemned in Scripture as sinful and pernicious, as Gen. 26. 35. Exod. 34. 16. 1 King. 11. 2, 3. Esra. 9. 10. Nehem. 13. 23, &c. Mal. 2. 11. 1 Cor. 7. 39. 2 Cor. 6. 14. and therefore are fitly spoken of here, as one of the sins which brought the Flood upon the ungodly world.

(i. e.) Gazed upon and observed curiously and lustfully, as the sequel sheweth.

Of that ungodly and accursed race of Cain.

(i. e.) Beautiful, and set off their beauty with all the allurements of Ornaments and carriage, herein using greater liberty than the Sons and Daughters of God did, or durst take, 1 Pet. 3. 3. and therefore were more enticing and prevalent with fleshly minded men▪

Either 1. By force and violence, as the word sometimes signifies. Or rather 2. By consent, for the Sons of God were so few in comparison of the wicked World, that they durst not take away their Daughters by force, which also proves that they did not take them for Harlots, but for Wives.

Possibly more than one for each of them, after the example of those wicked Families into which they were matched.

(i. e) Loved and liked, as the word choosing is taken, Psal. 25. 12. and 119. 173. Isa. 1. 29. and 42. 1. compared with Matth. 12. 28. This is noted as their first errour, that they did promiscuously choose Wives, without any regard to their Sobriety and Religion, minding only the pleasing of their own fancies and lusts, not the pleasing and serving of their Lord and Maker, nor the obtaining of a godly Seed, which was Gods end in the institution of Marriage, Mal. 2. 15. and therefore should have been theirs too.

Marginal references: Or, of Man.

3. And the LORD said , my spirit shall not always strive with man , for that he also is flesh , yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years .

Either 1. To the men of that age by the mouth of Noah. Or, 2. within himself: (See Psal. 14. 1.) he determined.

Or, Contend, or, Debate in or against men as it hath hitherto done, by inward motions and suggestions in the Minds and Consciences of wicked men, or by the mouths and Ministry of that small remnant of Holy Men, and particularly of Noah, who protested against and contended with the World of the ungodly, and by their doctrines, admonitions, threatnings and examples endeavoured to bring them to Repentance, 1 Pet. 3. 19. or, dispute with, or concerning or because of men, i. e. Whether I should destroy or save him as God disputes with or about Ephraim, Hos. 11. 8.

(i. e.) Even the Seed of Seth, or the Sons of God also, no less than the offspring of Cain: The Pronoun being here put for the foregoing Noun, and the singular number put for the plural, he, i. e. they, to wit, the Sons of God: Both which figures are frequent in the use of Scripture. Or, he, i. e. man, all mankind, the Sons of God not excepted.

Not only fleshly in part, or in some actions, but altogether, in regard of Soul as well as Body, minding nothing but making provision for the flesh to fulfill its Lusts, Rom. 13. 14. Not having the Spirit, Iude ver. 19, nor heeding its good motions, but suppressing and [illegible: 1+ letters]sisting them, [illegible: 1 word] not only in the condition of their nature but in the baseness and corruption of their Hearts and Lives, as the word flesh is commonly used when it is opposed to the Spirit, as Iohn 3. 6. Rom. 7. 18. and 8. 5, 7. Gal. 5. 17.

Though he deserve a speedy destruction,.

(i. e.) The time allowed him for Repentance and the prevention of his ruine.

During which time Noah was Preaching, and to assure them of the Truth of his Doctrine, preparing the Ark. See 1 Pet. 3. 20. 2 Pet. 2. 5. Quest. How did God perform this promise when there were but an hundred years between this time, and the Flood, by comparing Gen. 5. 32. with Gen. 7. 11. Answ. 1. The encreasing wickedness of mankind might justly hasten [illegible: 1+ letters]ir ruine and forfeit the benefit of this indulgence. 2. This promise though mentioned after that, Gen. 5. 32. yet seems to have been made twenty years before it: For that verse is added there out of its proper place, onely to compleat the Genealogy, and therefore, after this narration, it is repeated here in its due order, ver. 10. And such Hysteron Proterons are frequently noted in Scripture.

4. 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.

Men so called partly from their high stature, but principally for their great strength and force, whereby they oppressed and tyrannized over others: For this is mentioned as another sin and cause of the Flood, and therefore they seem to be here noted not for the height of their stature, which is no crime, but for their violence, which also is expressed beneath, ver. 11, 13.

After that time there arose a new Generation or succession of that sort of men.

Were united and incorporated with them. A modest expression of the Conjugal state and act, as Gen. 16. 2. and 35. 3. Iud. 15. 2.

Which were proper to the first ages of the World: For the succeeding Generations were generally less in stature and strength of Body, and therefore not so famous for personal exploits. Or these words may be thus joyned with the following, Which were of old, (i. e.) among the men of that first and wicked World, men of Renown, (i. e.) famous in their Generation, when indeed they should have been infamous for the abuse of their stature and strength to Tyranny and Cruelty.

Marginal references: Heb. Na[illegible: 1+ letters].

5. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually .

To which the Scripture commonly ascribes all mens actual wickedness, as Psal. 41. 6. Prov. 4. 23. and 6. 14, 18. Ier. 17. 9. Matth. 15. 19. Rom. 3. 10. &c. Thereby leading us from acts of sin to the original corruption of nature as the cause and source of them.

(i. e.) That man was perpetually either doing or contriving wickedness, that not only his actions were vile, but his principles also, his very soul, yea the noblest part of it, which might seem most free from the contagion, his Mind and Thoughts, were corrupt and abominable, and so there was no hopes of amendment.

Marginal references: Or, the whole imagination. The Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires.; Chap. 8. 21. Matth. 25. 11.; Heb. every day.

6. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the Earth, and it grieved him at his Heart .

Properly God cannot Repent, Numbers 23. 19. 1 Samuel 15. 11, 29. because he is unchangeable in his nature and counsels, Mal. 3. 6. Iam. 1. 17. and perfectly wise and constantly happy, and therefore not liable to any grief or disappointment: But this is spoken of God after the manner of man by a common figure called Anthropopathia, whereby also eyes, ears, hands, nose, &c. are ascribed to God, and it signifies an alienation of Gods Heart and Affections from men for their wickedness, whereby God carries himself towards them like one that is truly penitent and grieved, destroying the work of his own hands.

Or, at his very Soul, i. e. exceedingly.

7. And the LORD said, I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the Earth: both Man and Beast , and the creeping thing, and the Fowls of the Air: For it repenteth me that I have made them.

For as the Beasts were made for mans use and service, so they are destroyed for mans punishment, and to discover the malignity of sin, and Gods deep abhorrency thereof, by destroying those innocent Creatures that had been made instrumental to it.

Marginal references: Heb. from man unto beast.

8. But Noah found grace in the Eyes of the LORD.

(i. e.) Obtained Mercy and Favour, which is noted to shew that Noah was so far guilty of the common corruption of humane nature that he needed Gods Grace and Mercy to pardon and preserve him from the common destruction.

9. These are the Generations of Noah : Noah was a just man, and perfect in his Generations , and Noah walked with God .

Either 1. Properly, the posterity of Noah, as the word is commonly used; and as it is explained ver. 10. So the rest of this verse comes in by way of parenthesis, which is frequent▪ Or, [illegible: 1 word] The events or occurrences which befel Noah and his Family, as the word is taken, Gen. 37. 2. Prov. 27. 1.

These words are to be taken either 1. Jointly, q. d. he was Righteous, not only in appearance, or in part, but perfectly, in all respects, towards God and Men, or sincerely and truly. Or 2. Distinctly, q. d. he was for his state and condition just before God, which was by Faith, Heb. 11. 7. by which every just man lives, Rom. 1. 17. and perfect, i. e. upright and unblameable in the course of his life among the Men of his age, as it follows.

This is spoken either 1. Diminutively; he was so comparatively to the men that then lived, who were very bad, though otherwise even Noah had many infirmities, so that he also had not been saved but for Gods Grace and Mercy, v. 8. Or, 2. By way of amplification and commendation, He was good in bad times, in spight of all evil Counsels or Examples. He saith Generations in the plural number, to shew that as he lived in two Generations, one before the Flood, and another after it, so he continued uncorrupted in both of them.

See on Gen. 5. 24.

Marginal references: Ezek. 14. 14, 20. 2 Pet. 2. 5.; Or, upright.

10. And Noah begat three Sons, Shem, Ham, and Iapheth .

See the note on Gen. 5. 32.

11. The Earth also was corrupt before God , and the Earth was filled with violence .

Which is here put for its inhabitants, as [illegible: 1+ letters] King. 10. 24. Ezek. 14. 13.

Or, Before the face of God, q. d. in despight and contempt of God and of his presence and justice. Compare Gen. 10. 9. and 13. 13. q. d. They sinned openly and impudently without shame, boldly and resolutely without any fear of God.

Here put for the place or the inhabited parts of it. So the same word is twice used in a differing sense, in one and the same verse. See the like Matth. 8. 22.

Or, Injustice, Fraud, Rapine, Oppression: For all these this word signifies. Some conceive that these two branches note the universal corruption of mankind in reference to all their duties. 1. Towards God and his Worship which they corrupted by horrible superstition, and by Idolatry, which is called Corruption, Exod. 32. 7. Deut. 32. 5. I[illegible: 1+ letters]d. 2. 19. 2 Chron. 27. 28. 2. Towards men, in the duties of Righteousness.

12. And God looked upon the Earth, and behold, it was corrupt: For all Flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth.

(i. e.) All men, as the word Fl[illegible: 1+ letters]h is taken, Psal. 78. 39. Isa. 40. 5. and oft elsewhere.

Either 1. Gods way, his precepts concerning Religion and Righteousness. Or 2. Their own way, or manner of living.

13. And God said unto Noah, the end of all Flesh is come before me ; for the Earth is filled with violence through them z: And behold, I will destroy them with the Earth .

(i. e.) The time of ruine, as this word is used Ezek. 7. 2, 3, 6. Amos 8. 2.

(i. e.) Men, as v[illegible: 1+ letters]r. 12. though the Beasts also were involved in the same destruction.

(i e.) Is approaching and at the very door, and shall as certainly come as if it were actually come.

(i. e.) In my purpose and decree: Howsoever vain men flatter themselves with hopes of longer impunity.

(i. e.) With the fruits and beauty, though not the substance, of the Earth. Or, From the Earth, as ver. 7. The Hebrew [illegible: 1+ letters]th being oft put for min or me[illegible: 1+ letters]th, as Gen. 44. 4. Deut. 34. 1. and 1 King. 8. 43. compared with 2 Chron. 6. 33.

(i. e.) By their means: So that the Earth even groans under them.

Marginal references: Or, from the Earth.

14. Make thee an Ark of Gopher▪ wood: rooms shalt thou make in the Ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch .

A little Ship made in the form of an Ark or Chest, but probably sloping at the bottom for conveniency of Navigation, as it was for another reason sloping at the top.

This word is but once used in Scripture, and therefore it is diversly rendred by the Learned, by some Pine, by many Cedar, but by others Cypress, a Tree very proper and usual for Ships, and of a firm and durable substance, and much abounding in those parts, all which appears from antient Authors.

Or rather, with some kind of Bitum[illegible: 1+ letters], of the same nature and use with pitch, to cement the parts of the Ark together, and to preserve it from the injuries of the Sun, and Water and Worms, but more odoriferous, to correct the unpleasant scent of some of the Creatures.

Marginal references: Heb. Nests.

15. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of : The length of the Ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits .

Or, This is the measure, or, the manner according to which thou shalt make it.

A just and regular proportion, the length being six times more than the breadth, and ten times more than the height. There is no need to understand this of Geometrical cubits, which are said to have contained nine ordinary cubits, nor of sacred cubits, which were an hands breadth longer than the ordinary, Ezek. 13. 13. Nor to suppose the stature of men at that time to have been generally larger, and consequently their cubit much longer. For the ordinary cubit consisting of a common foot and an half is sufficient for the containing of all the kinds of living Creatures and their provisions, which was to be put into the Ark, as hath been at large demonstrated by learned men. Nor is there any considerable difficulty in the point but what is made by the ignorance of Infidels, and aggravated by their malice against the Holy Scriptures. Especially if these things be considered; 1. That the differing kinds of Beasts and Birds, which unlearned men fancy to be innumerable, are observed by the Learned, who have particularly searched into them and written of them, to be little above three hundred, whereof the far greatest part are but small, and many of these which now are thought to differ in kind, in their first original were but of one sort, though now they be so greatly altered in their shape and qualities; which might easily arise from the diversity of their Climate, and Food and other circumstances, and from the promiscuous conjunctions of those lawless Creatures. 2. That the brute Creatures when they were enclosed in the Ark, where they were idle, and constantly under a kind of horrour and amazement, would be contented with far less provisions, and those of another sort, than they were accustomed to, and such as might lye in less room, as Hay and the Fruits of the Earth. God also who altered their natures, and made the savage Creatures mild and gentle, might by the same powerful Providence moderate their appetites, or if he pleased, have increased their provision whilst they did eat it, as afterwards Christ did by the loaves. So vain and idle are the cavils of wanton wits concerning the incapacity of the Ark for the food of so many Beasts. 3. That supposing the ravenous Creatures did feed upon flesh, here is also space enough, and to spare for a sufficient number of Sheep, for their food for a whole year, as upon computation will easily appear, there being not two thousand Sheep necessary for them, and the Ark containing no less then four hundred and fifty thousand solid cubits in it. But of this matter more may be seen in my Latin Synopsis.

16. A window shalt thou make to the Ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above , and the door of the Ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: With lower, second and third stories shalt thou make it.

Or a Light: Or Lights or Windows: The singular number being put for the plural, which is most frequent: Or it might be one great light or lanthorn, by which light might be derived and distributed into several rooms.

I[illegible: 1+ letters] (i. e.) Either 1. The Window, which was to be a cubit square. Or rather 2. The Ark, as appears 1. From the gender of the Hebrew affix which is feminine, and therefore agrees with the Ark, which in the Hebrew is of the feminine gender, not with the Window, which is Masculine. 2. From the nature of the thing, the Ark requiring a roof and that sloping, that the Rain might slide off from it, and not sink into it: For which end the roof in the middle was to be higher than the Ark by a cubit. And as the other parts of the Ark were made with exquisite contrivance, so doubtless this was not defective therein.

Whereof the highest story for Men and Birds; the second for provision for the brute Creatures; the lowest for the Beasts, under which was the sink of the Ark, which most probably was made sloping at the bottom; as all Ships and Boats are, where Serpents and such like Creatures might be put with their proper provisions.

17. And behold I, even I , do bring a Flood of Waters upon the Earth, to destroy all Flesh , wherein is the breath of Life, from under Heaven: And every thing that is in the Earth shall dye .

Which is thus emphatically repeated, to signifie that this Flood did not proceed from natural causes, but from the immediate hand and judgment of God.

(i. e.) Will assuredly and speedily bring.

(i. e.) All Men, Birds and Beasts.

This limitation is added to shew that the Fishes are not included in the threatned destruction, either because they did not live in the same element wherein men lived and sinned: Or because they were not so instrumental in mens sins, as the Beasts might be: Or because man had a greater command over the Beasts than over the Fishes and greater service and benefit from them; and therefore the destruction of the former was a greater and more proper punishment to man than the latter.

18. But with thee will I establish my Covenant : And thou shalt come into the Ark; thou, and thy Sons, and thy Wife, and thy Sons Wives with thee.

Either 1. My promise to preserve thee and thine, both till the flood and in it, notwithstanding all the scoffs and threats of the wicked World against thee all the time of thy Preaching and Building of the Ark: The word Covenant being here understood not of a mutual compact or agreement, but of a single and gracious promise, as it is also used, Num. 18. 19. and 25. 12. and in other places. Which promise though only here mentioned, was doubtless made before, as may easily be gathered both from these words and some foregoing passages, and from the need which Noah had of such a support and encouragement, during all the time of his Ministry. Or 2. My Covenant concerning the sending of the promised Seed, and the Redemption of mankind by the Messias, who shall come out of thy loins, and therefore thou shalt be preserved.

19. And of every living thing of all flesh two , of every sort shalt thou bring into the Ark, to keep them alive with thee: They shall be Male and Female.

(i. e.) Either 1. By couples or Male and Female: But this is mentioned as a distinct thing in the close of the verse. Or [illegible: 1+ letters] ther 2. Two at least of every sort, even of the unclean; but of the clean more, as is noted ch. 7. 2.

20. Of Fowls after their kind , and 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.

(i. e.) According to their several kinds.

Of their own accord, by my impulse, or by the conduct of Angels, as Gen. 2. 19.

21. And take thou unto thee of all Food that is eaten , and thou shalt gather it to thee, and it shall be for Food for thee, and for them.

Of which see Gen. 1. 29, 30.

22. Thus did Noah, according to all that God commanded him, so did he .

Both for the matter and the manner of it, although the work of building the Ark was laborious▪ costly, tedious, dangerous, and seemingly foolish and ridiculous; especially when all things continued in the same posture and safety for so many scores of years together: Whereby Noah without doubt was all that while the Song of the drunkards and the sport of the wits of that age. So that it is not strange that this is mentioned as an heroick act of Faith in Noah, Heb. 11. 7. whereby he surmounted all these difficulties.

Marginal references: Heb. 11. 7.