Genesis 6:3
“Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.””
What does Genesis 6:3 mean?
God is announcing a limit to human lifespans after observing how deeply sin has taken root in humanity. Rather than allowing people to live indefinitely while growing more corrupt, God sets a maximum of 120 years, giving people a natural endpoint and a clear measure of time. This isn't punishment so much as a merciful boundary, acknowledging that endless earthly life would only mean endless opportunity for people to turn away from him. The "striving" of God's Spirit refers to his patient work to turn hearts toward goodness, and this verse reflects God's sorrow that his efforts often go unheeded.