וַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־בְּנֹ֣ות הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֥י טֹבֹ֖ת הֵ֑נָּה וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרוּ׃
(Genesis 6:2)
The sons of God saw the daughters of humankind, that they were good, and they took wives for themselves from all whom they chose.
Heavenly Beings and Human Daughters
Genesis 6:2 introduces one of the most enigmatic and debated passages in the Torah, describing the interaction between the benei ha-Elohim (“sons of God”) and the benot ha-adam (“daughters of man”). But beyond theological speculation, the verse is a showcase of sophisticated Hebrew syntax, involving coordinated wayyiqtol clauses, marked direct objects, evaluative subordinate clauses, and a purposefully placed restrictive relative clause. This analysis uncovers how the verse’s grammatical architecture enhances its meaning and narrative tension.
Clause Breakdown: Two Main Actions Framed by Evaluation
The verse unfolds in three syntactic movements:
1. וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּנֹות הָאָדָם — “And the sons of God saw the daughters of man”
2. כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה — “that they were good”
3. וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ — “and they took for themselves wives from all whom they chose”
These are arranged with two wayyiqtol narrative verbs marking major action, and a subordinate explanatory clause using כִּי to indicate cause or evaluation.
Clause 1: Subject–Verb Inversion for Emphasis
– וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים begins with a verb-subject order, standard for Biblical Hebrew narrative.
– The subject בְנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים follows the verb וַיִּרְאוּ, a wayyiqtol form of the root ר־א־ה, denoting completed narrative action.
– The phrase אֶת־בְּנֹות הָאָדָם is a marked direct object, introduced by the particle אֶת and expressed as a construct phrase: “the daughters of man.”
This structure highlights the direction of perception: divine/higher beings observing human women, setting up the theme of desire and transgression.
Clause 2: Subordinate Evaluation with כִּי
– כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה introduces a subordinate causal clause: “because they were good.”
– טֹבֹת is a plural feminine adjective, agreeing with הֵנָּה (“they” feminine).
– The placement of the adjective before the subject pronoun is marked word order, placing the evaluative element first — emphasizing appearance or suitability.
This clause is not just observational but evaluative, reflecting motivation for the action that follows.
Clause 3: Taking Wives and Syntactic Control
– וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים — “and they took for themselves wives”
– The reflexive-like construction לָהֶם (for themselves) adds a layer of possessive agency.
The phrase מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ is a restrictive relative clause:
– מִכֹּל — “from all”
– אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ — “whom they chose”
The relative clause limits the referents of נָשִׁים to those selected by the subjects. It also reinforces autonomy and preference — they took wives based not on divine mandate, but on their own choice.
Word Order and Narrative Tension
The placement of כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה in the center between the two actions functions as a causal hinge:
– Seeing → Evaluating → Taking
This three-part movement mirrors a narrative structure of temptation, rationalization, and appropriation — echoing the pattern of Eve seeing the fruit, deeming it good, and taking it in Genesis 3:6. The syntax intentionally echoes this earlier narrative, reinforcing the sense of moral decline.
Syntactic Summary Table
| Clause | Hebrew Phrase | Syntactic Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | וַיִּרְאוּ… אֶת־בְּנֹות הָאָדָם | Wayyiqtol narrative clause | Main action: observation of human women |
| 2 | כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה | Subordinate causal clause | Motivation for the ensuing action |
| 3 | וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ | Wayyiqtol + relative clause | Autonomous selection and appropriation of wives |
Grammar in the Garden of Giants
Genesis 6:2 is a vivid example of how syntax frames narrative sin. The verb-subject-object order, causal evaluation, and relative restriction each build toward a picture of escalating transgression. Grammar is not neutral; it reinforces divine boundaries crossed, human desire unrestrained, and divine agency ignored.
The structure of the verse is poetic, concise, and intentional. It reflects a theology where grammatical form mirrors moral collapse, and where clauses cascade into consequence. Syntax, in this case, tells the story as much as the words themselves.