OET interlinear GEN 6:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה

(Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_said YHWH not he/it_will_rule/strive my=breath/wind/spirit in/on_the=humankind to=vanishing_point in/on=that=also he/it flesh/meat and=they_will_be his/its=days hundred and=twenty year )

The implication is that Yahweh is speaking to himself. Only make implied information explicit in your translation if it is necessary to prevent wrong meaning or if your language’s grammar requires it so that your translation is easier to read and understand. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [So Yahweh said to himself]

רוּחִ֤⁠י

my=breath/wind/spirit

The words My Spirit could mean: (1) God is speaking of his spirit or saying “I,” which is a way of God referring to himself (Genesis [1:2](../01/02.md) is similar) (2) that God is referring to his breath that gives life (as in Genesis [2:71](../02/71.md)). If the text is not translated literally, the literal text should be put in a footnote.

לֹֽא־יָד֨וֹן & בָֽ⁠אָדָם֙ לְ⁠עֹלָ֔ם

not he/it_will_rule/strive & in/on_the=humankind to=vanishing_point

The phrase will not strive with mankind forever could mean: (1) that God will not contend with human beings forever. Alternate translation: [will not put up with human beings forever] or (2) that God will not remain with human beings forever. Alternate translation: [will not dwell among humans forever] The interpretation that is not used in your translation could be put in a footnote.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בְּ⁠שַׁ⁠גַּ֖ם ה֣וּא בָשָׂ֑ר

(Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_said YHWH not he/it_will_rule/strive my=breath/wind/spirit in/on_the=humankind to=vanishing_point in/on=that=also he/it flesh/meat and=they_will_be his/its=days hundred and=twenty year )

The word flesh is used here as a common expression that means human beings are “mortal” (that is, their bodies will die) and that they are “sinful.” The two meanings are interrelated since it is because of sin that their bodies die. In this context, the focus is on their corrupt behavior, which is the reason God will send a flood. Alternate translation: [because they are very sinful] or [because they are only sinful mortals]

וְ⁠הָי֣וּ יָמָ֔י⁠ו מֵאָ֥ה וְ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה

and=they_will_be his/its=days hundred (Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_said YHWH not he/it_will_rule/strive my=breath/wind/spirit in/on_the=humankind to=vanishing_point in/on=that=also he/it flesh/meat and=they_will_be his/its=days hundred and=twenty year )

This sentence could mean: (1) that mankind will have 120 years to repent. Alternate translation: [I will give them 120 years to repent]; (2) that 120 years will be the maximum lifespan. Alternate translation: [From now on, they will have no longer than 120 years.] The first interpretation seems to best fit the context here of God announcing his plan to judge mankind for their sin ([verse 7](../06/07.md)). This would mean that Noah was 480 years old when God said this (about 20 years before he started having sons; Genesis [5:32](../05/32.md)), since the flood came when he was 600 years old (Genesis [7:6](../07/06.md)); you could put some of that information in a footnote. The second interpretation does not fit with the fact that after God said this, many people lived much longer than 120 years, so it does not seem likely that length of life was his meaning here.