Genesis 6:2 - Divine sparks misused by leaders

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Hebrew Text

וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ׃

English Translation

that the distinguished men saw that the daughters of men were fair

Transliteration

Va'yir'u v'nei-ha'elohim et-b'not ha'adam ki tovot hena va'yik'chu lahem nashim mikol asher bacharu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֥י טֹבֹ֖ת הֵ֑נָּה וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרוּ׃

Parasha Commentary

Understanding "Bnei HaElohim" and "Bnot HaAdam"

The phrase "בְנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים" (Bnei HaElohim) is interpreted in several ways by traditional commentators:

Rashi (Bereshit 6:2) explains that these were the sons of judges or rulers, interpreting "Elohim" as referring to human authorities (as in Shemot 22:8). They abused their power by forcibly taking women.
Ibn Ezra suggests they were descendants of Seth, the righteous line, who intermarried with the daughters of Cain's descendants ("בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם").
Ramban (Nachmanides) disagrees with Rashi, arguing that the term refers to angels who fell from their spiritual heights by pursuing physical desires.

The Sin of Taking Women "From All They Chose"

The phrase "וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ" is condemned by the Sages:

Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (26:5) states this reflects sexual immorality, as they took married women without regard for marital boundaries.
Chizkuni emphasizes their arrogance—they took women based solely on physical beauty ("כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה") without considering character or morality.

Moral Decline Before the Flood

This episode marks the moral deterioration leading to the Flood (Mabul):

Talmud Sanhedrin 108a connects this behavior to the corruption of the generation, where might made right ("חָמָס").
Sforno notes that the powerful exploited their status, violating the natural order of marriage and justice.

Lessons for Ethical Conduct

The verse warns against:

Abusing power for selfish desires (Rashi).
Prioritizing physical attraction over moral integrity (Chizkuni).
Disregarding societal boundaries, especially in relationships (Midrash).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the 'benei Elohim' (sons of God) mentioned in Genesis 6:2?
A: According to Rashi and many traditional Jewish sources, the 'benei Elohim' in this verse refers to powerful or noble men—leaders and judges of that generation. The Ramban explains they were called this because they acted with arrogance, as if they were like gods in their own eyes. The Talmud (Yoma 67b) also associates them with the corrupt leadership before the Flood.

Q: Why does the Torah mention that the daughters of men were 'fair'?
A: The Torah emphasizes their beauty to show that these powerful men acted based on physical desire rather than moral judgment. Rashi explains that they took women 'from all they chose'—meaning even married women, showing their complete disregard for morality. This was part of the corruption that led to the Flood.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 6:2 about relationships?
A: This verse teaches the danger of pursuing relationships based solely on physical attraction without moral boundaries. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 26:5) criticizes their behavior as selfish and destructive. Jewish tradition emphasizes marriage built on holiness (kedusha) and proper values, not just outward appearances.

Q: How does this verse connect to the story of the Flood?
A: This behavior was part of the widespread corruption that led Hashem to bring the Flood. The Sages explain (Sanhedrin 108a) that their sins included theft and coercion in taking women, showing the breakdown of society. The verse sets the stage for why the world needed purification through the Flood.

Q: Does 'benei Elohim' mean angels in Jewish tradition?
A: While some non-Jewish interpretations suggest angels, mainstream Orthodox Jewish commentators like Rashi, Ramban, and Ibn Ezra strongly reject this view. The Talmud (Yoma 67b) and Midrashim consistently explain these as human leaders who abused power. Judaism maintains a clear separation between humans and angels in biblical interpretation.