“And after that men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them,”
“Cumque cœpissent homines multiplicari super terram, et filias procreassent,”
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,”
“Now when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them,”
“When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them,”
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,”
Daughters. These had borne equal proportion with the males from the beginning; but here they are particularized, because they were the chief instruments in corrupting the descendants of Seth. (Haydock) — Even the sons of these libidinous people were so effeminate, as to deserve to be called women. (Menochius)
The most remarkable thing we have upon record concerning the old world is the destruction of it by the universal deluge, the account of which commences in this chapter, wherein we have, I. The abounding iniquity of that wicked world, ver 1-5, and ver 11, 12. II. The righteous God's just resentment of that abounding iniquity, and his holy resolution to punish it, ver 6, 7. III. The special favour of God to his servant Noah. 1. In the character given of him, ver 8-10. 2. In the communication of God's purpose to him, ver 13, 17. 3. In the directions he gave him to make an ark for his own safety, ver 14-16. 4. In the employing of him for the preservation of the rest of the creatures, ver 18-21. Lastly, Noah's obedience to the instructions given him, ver 22. And this concerning the old world is written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the new world have come.
Verses 1-7 The most remarkable thing concerning the old world, is the destroying of it by the deluge, or flood. We are told of the abounding iniquity of that wicked world: God's just wrath, and his holy resolution to punish it. In all ages there has been a peculiar curse of God upon marriages between professors of true religion and its avowed enemies. The evil example of the ungodly party corrupts or greatly hurts the other. Family religion is put an end to, and the children are trained up according to the worldly maxims of that parent who is without the fear of God. If we profess to be the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, we must not marry without his consent. He will never give his blessing, if we prefer beauty, wit, wealth, or worldly honours, to faith and holiness. The Spirit of God strove with men, by sending Enoch, Noah, and perhaps others, to preach to them; by waiting to be gracious, notwithstanding their rebellions; and by exciting alarm and convictions in their consciences. But the Lord declared that his Spirit should not thus strive with men always; he would leave them to be hardened in sin, and ripened for destruction. This he determined on, because man was flesh: not only frail and feeble, but carnal and depraved; having misused the noble powers of his soul to gratify his corrupt inclinations. God sees all the wickedness that is among the children of men; it cannot be hid from him now; and if it be not repented of, it shall be made known by him shortly. The wickedness of a people is great indeed, when noted sinners are men renowned among them. Very much sin was committed in all places, by all sorts of people. Any one might see that the wickedness of man was great: but God saw that every imagination, or purpose, of the thoughts of man's heart, was…
“And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.”