Genesis 6:11-13
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice how the verse first says the "earth was corrupt" and then that it was "filled with violence." This isn't just describing a general badness; it's showing that internal corruption naturally leads to outward acts of injustice and brutality.
In the moments leading up to this verse, humanity's exponential growth and moral decay reach a critical point. God had observed the escalating wickedness, noting that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This profound corruption had not only perverted worship but had also dissolved societal bonds, leading to widespread injustice and brutality. Genesis 6:11 describes the consequence of this pervasive sin, setting the stage for God's drastic decision to cleanse the earth through a flood.
Before God unleashed the flood, the text paints a grim picture of the world's state. What does it mean for the 'earth' itself to be corrupt, and how deep did this go?
Genesis 6:11 says, 'the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.' This wasn't just about a few bad apples; the corruption was widespread and deeply ingrained.
Beyond Individual Sin
The text uses 'earth' here to represent its inhabitants, not the planet itself. This corruption wasn't confined to isolated acts but permeated society. It implies a societal decay where wickedness had become the norm.
A Two-Pronged Problem
This corruption had two main expressions:
This was a world where the moral fabric had unraveled, leading to a society characterized by both spiritual bankruptcy and brutal behavior.
God 'saw' the corruption. What does His perspective reveal about His nature and His reaction to such widespread sin?
The phrase 'corrupt in God’s sight' is crucial. It emphasizes that God's perspective is the ultimate standard. His seeing isn't passive observation; it's an active, righteous judgment.
Divine Awareness
God's seeing means He was fully aware of the depth and breadth of human depravity. He wasn't surprised by it, nor was He indifferent. The text in Genesis 6:5-6 highlights this: 'The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great... and it grieved him to his heart.' This shows that God is not detached from the sin and suffering in the world.
Understand the original words
shachath · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
Refers to moral decay, depravity, or ruin; it describes a state of being morally rotten or spoiled, often leading to divine judgment.
chamas · Hebrew Noun
Denotes unjust force, cruelty, or physical aggression; it represents the violation of the sanctity of human life created in God's image.
basar · Hebrew Noun
Used to describe all living beings (humans and animals) in their state of mortality and physical weakness; it highlights the shared creaturely nature of life.
Noach · Hebrew Proper Noun
A righteous man of faith chosen by God to preserve life through the flood; his name is often associated with 'rest' or 'comfort'.
The extreme corruption and violence described in Genesis 6:11 were not isolated incidents but the culmination of a long period of societal development where humanity, despite its advancements, increasingly turned away from God, filling the earth with injustice.
c. 10,500 BC
End of the Last Ice Age
The thawing of glaciers caused dramatic changes in the global landscape, sea levels, and climates, creating a new world for humanity to inhabit and adapt to.
c. 10,000 BC - 4,000 BC
Early Agricultural Societies Develop
Humans began to transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities, leading to population growth and the development of early civilizations.
c. 4,000 BC - 2,500 BC
Emergence of Early Civilizations
Complex societies with cities, governments, and organized religion arose in Mesopotamia and Egypt, marking significant advancements in human culture and organization.
c. 3,000 BC
Early Bronze Age
The development and widespread use of bronze for tools and weapons transformed societies, enabling new technologies and influencing warfare and trade.
This verse describes God's initial blessing and command for humanity to 'fill the earth and subdue it.' It highlights the stark contrast between God's original intention for a flourishing creation and the deep corruption that ultimately led to the flood.
Psalm 11:5This psalm speaks of God's hatred for the wicked and those who love violence, echoing the judgment described in Genesis 6. It shows that God's intolerance for violence and injustice is a consistent theme throughout Scripture.
Luke 17:26-27Jesus uses the days of Noah as a parallel to the end times, describing a world consumed by everyday life and oblivious to impending judgment, much like the pre-flood era. This shows the timeless nature of societal corruption leading to divine intervention.
Romans 1:29-31This passage details a list of sins, including violence and wickedness, that characterize a society given over to its own desires. It provides a clear parallel to the widespread corruption and lack of moral restraint described in Genesis 6.
2 Peter 2:5Peter explicitly references the flood as a judgment on a world 'ungodly' and 'filled with destructive men.' This passage connects the Noahic flood directly to divine judgment against pervasive wickedness and violence.
calvinGenesis 6:1-22: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,"
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Gigantes fuerunt in terra in diebus illis: et etiam postquam ingressi sunt filii Dei ad filias hominum, genuerunt eis: isti sunt potentes, qui a saec…
clarkeGenesis 6:11: "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence."
The earth also was corrupt - See the note on Genesis 6:5 .
Notice how the verse first says the "earth was corrupt" and then that it was "filled with violence." This isn't just describing a general badness; it's showing that internal corruption naturally leads to outward acts of injustice and brutality.
In the moments leading up to this verse, humanity's exponential growth and moral decay reach a critical point. God had observed the escalating wickedness, noting that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This profound corruption had not only perverted worship but had also dissolved societal bonds, leading to widespread injustice and brutality. Genesis 6:11 describes the consequence of this pervasive sin, setting the stage for God's drastic decision to cleanse the earth through a flood.
In the moments leading up to this verse, humanity's exponential growth and moral decay reach a critical point. God had observed the escalating wickedness, noting that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This profound corruption had not only perverted worship but had also dissolved societal bonds, leading to widespread injustice and brutality. Genesis 6:11 describes the consequence of this pervasive sin, setting the stage for God's drastic decision to cleanse the earth through a flood.
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The Inevitability of Judgment
When sin reaches a certain threshold, especially when it becomes pervasive and defiant ('in God's sight,' 'filled with violence'), it provokes a just response. The flood wasn't a capricious act but a necessary consequence of overwhelming wickedness. God's 'seeing' leads directly to His decision to act.
A Warning for Us
This underscores that our actions and the state of our societies are not hidden from God. He sees the injustice, the moral decay, and the disrespect for Him. This awareness should lead us to repentance, not to despair, knowing that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
c. 2,500 BC - 2,000 BC— this verse
The Great Flood
According to the biblical narrative, God sent a global flood to cleanse the earth of widespread wickedness and violence, preserving only Noah and his family.
"Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an en…" — Notice how the verse first says the "earth was corrupt" and then that it was "filled with violence." This isn't just describing a general badness; it's showing that internal corruption naturally lead…
