CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 6:3 So the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/6-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_06_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 6:3 - Corruption on the Earth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the LORD said, My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/6-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/6-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/6-2.htm" title="Genesis 6:2">◄</a> Genesis 6:3 <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm" title="Genesis 6:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/6.htm">New International Version</a> Then the LORD said, &#8220My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.” <a href="/esv/genesis/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/6.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/6.htm">New King James Version</a> And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the LORD said, &#8220My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Yahweh said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever because he indeed is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/amp/genesis/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt—given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be a hundred and twenty years.” <a href="/csb/genesis/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And the LORD said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And the LORD said, &#8220My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. <a href="/cev/genesis/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then the LORD said, "I won't let my life-giving breath remain in anyone forever. No one will live for more than 120 years." <a href="/erv/genesis/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be an hundred and twenty years. <a href="/gwt/genesis/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not struggle with humans forever, because they are flesh and blood. They will live 120 years." <a href="/gnt/genesis/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then the LORD said, "I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years." <a href="/isv/genesis/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> So the LORD said, "My Spirit won't remain with human beings forever, because they're truly mortal. Their lifespan will be 120 years." <a href="/msb/genesis/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/net/genesis/6.htm">NET Bible</a> So the LORD said, "My spirit will not remain in humankind indefinitely, since they are mortal. They will remain for 120 more years." <a href="/nheb/genesis/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And God said, "My Spirit will not remain in humankind forever, since he is indeed flesh; yet his days will be one hundred twenty years." <a href="/wbt/genesis/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. <a href="/web/genesis/6.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH says, “My Spirit does not strive in man for all time, for indeed, he [is] flesh, but his days have been one hundred and twenty years.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah saith, 'My Spirit doth not strive in man -- to the age; in their erring they are flesh:' and his days have been an hundred and twenty years. <a href="/slt/genesis/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will say, My spirit will not forever be low in man, for that he is flesh and his days were one hundred and twenty years.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And God said: My spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And God said: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh. And so his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/6.htm">New American Bible</a> Then the LORD said: My spirit shall not remain in human beings forever, because they are only flesh. Their days shall comprise one hundred and twenty years. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the LORD said, “My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then the LORD said, My spirit shall not dwell in man forever, because he is flesh; let his days be a hundred and twenty years. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH said: “My Spirit will not dwell in man for eternity because he is flesh and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD said: 'My spirit shall not abide in man for ever, for that he also is flesh; therefore shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.' <a href="/sep/genesis/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord God said, My Spirit shall certainly not remain among these men for ever, because they are flesh, but their days shall be an hundred and twenty years. <a href="/parallel/genesis/6-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=1257" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/6.htm">Corruption on the Earth</a> …2the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose. 3<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">So the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·ḥî (N-csc:: 1cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">“My Spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1777.htm" title="1777: yā·ḏō·wn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To judge. Or duwn; a primitive roy a straight course, i.e. Sail direct.">contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ḇā·’ā·ḏām (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">with man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: lə·‘ō·lām (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">forever,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: bə·šag·gam (Prep-b, Pro-r:: Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he is</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: ḇā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">mortal;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">his days</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">shall be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’āh (Number-fs) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">120</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: wə·‘eś·rîm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years.”</a> 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a> The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. <a href="/isaiah/57-16.htm">Isaiah 57:16</a> For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made. <a href="/job/34-14.htm">Job 34:14-15</a> If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, / all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. <a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">1 Peter 3:20</a> who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. <a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">2 Peter 2:5</a> if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight; <a href="/matthew/24-37.htm">Matthew 24:37-39</a> As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. <a href="/luke/17-26.htm">Luke 17:26-27</a> Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. <a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a> Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a> Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-17</a> So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. <a href="/ephesians/4-30.htm">Ephesians 4:30</a> And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-19.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:19</a> Do not extinguish the Spirit. <a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a> Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7</a> By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. <a href="/jude/1-14.htm">Jude 1:14-15</a> Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones / to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.My.<a href="/numbers/11-17.htm">Numbers 11:17</a> And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.<a href="/nehemiah/9-30.htm">Nehemiah 9:30</a> Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.<a href="/isaiah/5-4.htm">Isaiah 5:4</a> What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?is.<a href="/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39</a> For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.<a href="/romans/8-1.htm">Romans 8:1-13</a> There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_john/1-9.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Age</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-18.htm">Always</a> <a href="/jude/1-3.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-2.htm">Erring</a> <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/genesis/5-32.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/5-27.htm">Life</a> <a href="/revelation/13-3.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/revelation/3-4.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/james/3-18.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/revelation/19-4.htm">Twenty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/19-2.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Age</a> <a href="/genesis/26-29.htm">Always</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/numbers/15-28.htm">Erring</a> <a href="/genesis/6-12.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/genesis/6-15.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/6-17.htm">Life</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-26.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/genesis/48-19.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/exodus/9-28.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/genesis/7-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/genesis/26-20.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/genesis/7-20.htm">Twenty</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 6</div>1. <a href="/genesis/6-1.htm">The wickedness of the world, which provoked God's wrath.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/6-8.htm">Noah finds grace.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">His family line</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">The order, form, dimensions, and building of the ark.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/6.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>So the LORD said This phrase introduces a divine declaration, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the personal name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and covenantal faithfulness. This sets the stage for a significant pronouncement from the Creator, highlighting His active role in human history and His concern for the moral state of humanity.My Spirit The term "Spirit" in Hebrew is "Ruach," which can mean breath, wind, or spirit. In this context, it refers to God's life-giving and sustaining presence among humanity. The Spirit's role is crucial in the creation narrative and throughout the Bible, symbolizing God's power and presence. Here, it underscores the divine patience and forbearance with human sinfulness, as well as the impending withdrawal of His sustaining grace due to mankind's persistent rebellion.will not contend The Hebrew word used here is "diyn," which can mean to strive, judge, or contend. This suggests a legal or judicial connotation, where God is seen as a judge who has been striving with humanity over their sinful ways. The use of this term indicates that there has been an ongoing divine effort to guide and correct humanity, but there is a limit to God's patience in the face of persistent disobedience.with man forever This phrase highlights the temporal nature of God's striving with humanity. The word "forever" (Hebrew "olam") often denotes an indefinite or long period rather than eternity. It implies that there is a divinely appointed time for repentance and correction, after which judgment will follow. This serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency of turning back to God and the finite nature of human opportunity to respond to His grace.for he is mortal The Hebrew word for "mortal" is "basar," meaning flesh. This emphasizes the frailty and transience of human life in contrast to the eternal nature of God. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for life and sustenance. The acknowledgment of human mortality underscores the need for humility and repentance before the Creator.his days shall be 120 years This phrase has been interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a reduction of the human lifespan, while others view it as a countdown to the coming flood, giving humanity 120 years to repent. Historically, this period reflects God's patience and mercy, allowing ample time for change. It also serves as a prophetic warning of impending judgment, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of aligning with God's will.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) And the Lord said.--As the Sethites are now the fallen race, it is their covenant Jehovah who determines to reduce the extreme duration of human life to that which, under the most favourable sanitary influences, might still be its normal length.My spirit shall not always strive with man.--The meaning of this much-contested clause is really settled by the main purpose and context of the verse, which is the Divine determination to shorten human life. Whether, then, God's spirit be the animating breath spoken of in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm" title="And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.">Genesis 2:7</a>; <a href="/genesis/7-22.htm" title="All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.">Genesis 7:22</a>, whereby human life is sustained, or the spiritual part of man, his conscience and moral sense--God's best gift to him--in opposition to his flesh, the struggle henceforward is not to be indefinitely prolonged. In the first case, the struggle spoken of is that between the elements of life and death in the body; in the second, it refers to the moral probation to which man is subject. The versions generally take the former meaning, and translate "shall not dwell," or "abide "; but there is much in favour of the rendering "shall strive," though the verb more exactly means to rule, preside over, sit as judge. Literally, then, it signifies that the Divine gift of life shall not rule in man "for ever;" that is, for a period so protracted as was antediluvian life. (Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm" title="Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant for ever. And also to your maidservant you shall do likewise.">Deuteronomy 15:17</a>, &c.)With man.--Heb., with the adam: spoken with especial reference to the Sethites.For that he also is flesh.--So all the versions; but many commentators, to avoid an Aramaism which does not occur again till the later Psalms, translate, "in their erring he is (= they are) flesh." But no reason for shortening human life can be found in this commonplace assertion; and if Abraham brought these records with him from Ur, we have an explanation of the acknowledged fact that Aramaisms do occur in the earlier portions of the Bible. Man, then, is "also" flesh, that is, his body is of the same nature as those of the animals, and in spite of his noble gifts and precedence, he must submit to a life of the same moderate duration as that allotted them.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And the Lord - Jehovah; not because due to the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Colenso), but because the sin above specified was a direct violation of the footing of grace on which the Sethites stood - said, - to himself, i.e. purposed, - My spirit - neither "ira, seu rigida Dei justitia" (Venema), nor "the Divine spirit of life bestowed upon man, the principle of physical and ethical, natural and spiritual life" (Keil); but the Holy Ghost, the Ruach Elohim of <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a> - shall not always strive. London: - 1. Shall not dwell (LXX., οὐ μὴ καταμείνη; Vulgate, non permanebit; Syriac, Onkelos). 2. Shall not be humbled, i.e. by dwelling in men (Gesenius, Tuch). 3. More probably, shall not rule (De Wette, Delitzsch, Kalisch, Furst), or shall not judge (οὐ κρίνει), as the consequence of ruling (Symmachus, Rosenmüller, Keil), or shall not contend in judgment (arguere, reprehendere; cf. <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:10</a>), i.e. strive with a man by moral force (Calvin, Michaelis, Dathe, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Murphy, Bush). With man, for that he also - beshaggam. Either be, shaggam, inf. of shagag, to wander, with pron. surf. = "in their wandering" (Gesenius, Tuch, Keil) - the meaning being that men by their straying had proved themselves to be flesh, though a plural suffix with a singular pronoun following is inadmissible in Hebrew (Kalisch); or be, sh (contracted from asher), and gain (also) = quoniam. Cf. <a href="/judges/5-7.htm">Judges 5:7</a>; <a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Judges 6:17</a>; <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Song of Solomon 1:7</a> (A.V.). Though an Aramaic particle, "it must never be forgotten that Aramaisms are to be expected either in the most modern or in the most ancient portions of Scripture" ('Speaker's Commentary) - is flesh, not "transitory beings" (Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Tuch), or corporeal beings (Kalisch), but sinful beings; bashar being already employed in its ethical signification, like σάρξ in the New Testament, to denote "man's materiality as rendered ungodly by sin" (Keil). "The doctrine of the carnal mind (<a href="/romans/8.htm">Romans 8</a>.) is merely the outgrowth, of the thought expressed in this passage ' (Murphy). Yet his days - not the individual's (Kalisch), which were not immediately curtailed to the limit mentioned, and, even after the Flood, extended far beyond it (vide Genesis 11.); but the races, which were only to be prolonged in gracious respite (Calvin) - shall be an hundred and twenty years. Tuch, Colenso, and others, supposing this to have been said by God in Noah's 500th year, find a respite only of 100 years, instead of 120; but the historian does not assert that it was then God either formed or announced this determination. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/6-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “My Spirit רוּחִ֤י (rū·ḥî) Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit {will} not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no contend יָד֨וֹן (yā·ḏō·wn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1777.htm">Strong's 1777: </a> A straight course, sail direct with man בָֽאָדָם֙ (ḇā·’ā·ḏām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being forever, לְעֹלָ֔ם (lə·‘ō·lām) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always for בְּשַׁגַּ֖ם (bə·šag·gam) Preposition-b, Pronoun - relative | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and he [is] ה֣וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are mortal; בָשָׂ֑ר (ḇā·śār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man his days יָמָ֔יו (yā·māw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day {shall} be וְהָי֣וּ (wə·hā·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be 120 מֵאָ֥ה (mê·’āh) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> A hundred years.” שָׁנָֽה׃ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 6:3 Yahweh said My Spirit will not strive (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/6-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 6:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 6:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/6-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 6:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 6:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>