Genesis 6:17
For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about God bringing a flood; it's about God personally bringing it. The repeated "I, even I" emphasizes that this isn't a natural disaster, but a direct, intentional act of divine judgment against the profound corruption that had infected all of humanity.
Before this verse, God observes the extreme wickedness and corruption that has spread throughout humanity, seeing that every thought and imagination of the human heart was continually evil. He grieves over His creation and resolves to destroy all living beings with a great flood. This verse announces God's direct declaration to Noah of His impending judgment upon the earth. Following this, God immediately instructs Noah to build an ark and to bring his family and pairs of all living creatures into it to preserve them.
The verse begins with a powerful and direct statement from God. What does this emphasis reveal about His intention?
The verse starts with "And, behold, I, even I, do bring...". The repetition of "I, even I" isn't just for emphasis; it's a solemn declaration. God is personally initiating this judgment. It's not an accident or a natural disaster that He's merely observing. This phrase highlights His sovereign power and direct involvement in bringing the flood. It underscores that this is a deliberate act of divine justice, a consequence of humanity's profound rebellion.
This declaration serves to shatter any illusion that the coming destruction is beyond God's control or knowledge. It is His decree, His action, meant to communicate the seriousness and certainty of the judgment to come.
The flood is described as all-encompassing. What does 'all flesh' and 'everything' truly signify here?
The verse states that God will bring a flood "to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die." This is not a localized flood; it's a global cataclysm. The phrase 'all flesh' signifies every living, breathing creature – humans and animals alike. 'Everything that is on the earth' reinforces this, indicating the utter annihilation of life as it existed.
This comprehensive destruction underscores the profound corruption that had permeated the entire earth. It wasn't just a few individuals or regions; the wickedness was so pervasive that God judged it necessary to cleanse the earth completely, leaving only those preserved by His grace. The exception, implied but not explicitly stated here, would be those within the ark and the fish in the waters, who were not 'on the earth' in the same destructive sense.
Understand the original words
basar · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the collective humanity or animal life created by God. Biblically, it emphasizes the frailty and mortality of created life, especially in contrast to the eternal Creator.
neshamah · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'spirit' or 'breath,' this term signifies the animating life force given by God to living creatures. It represents the dependence of all living things on God's sustaining power.
mabbul · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the Flood narrative, this signifies a divine act of judgment against humanity's wickedness. It is a reversal of creation, though strictly controlled and limited by God's sovereign plan.
The Genesis account frames the flood not as a sudden, inexplicable event, but as a divine response to a deeply entrenched societal corruption characterized by violence and moral decay, emphasizing God's long patience and eventual, decisive judgment.
~3000 BC
Early Human Societies Flourish
Humanity spreads and develops diverse cultures and civilizations across the globe.
c. 3000 BC - 2300 BC
Rise of Early Civilizations
Major civilizations emerge in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, developing complex social structures, laws, and technologies.
c. 2950 BC
The First 'Giants' Emerge
Archaeological and historical records suggest the emergence of powerful, influential figures or ruling classes in early societies, perhaps embodying the 'mighty men' described.
c. 2350 BC
Widespread Societal Corruption
As societies grow, so does the evidence of widespread violence, moral decay, and a departure from spiritual principles across human communities.
c. 2349 BC
This passage directly follows the verse, detailing the commencement of the flood, emphasizing the 'windows of heaven' opening and the 'fountains of the great deep' breaking open, reinforcing the immense scale of divine judgment initiated in Genesis 6:17.
Genesis 9:11This verse provides God's promise after the flood, stating that 'never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood.' It directly contrasts with the judgment declared in Genesis 6:17, highlighting the covenant and hope that follows destruction.
2 Peter 3:6The New Testament author explicitly references the Genesis flood, explaining that 'the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.' This confirms the historical and theological significance of the event described in Genesis 6:17 for later biblical understanding.
Luke 17:26-27Jesus draws a parallel between the days of Noah and the end times, stating, 'Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying, and then the flood came and destroyed them all.' This connects the judgment in Genesis 6:17 to a broader pattern of divine judgment and the need for vigilance.
Ezekiel 14:14calvinGenesis 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…
gillGenesis 6:17: "And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die."
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth,.... That there was such a flood of waters brought upon the earth, is confirmed by the testimonies of Heathen writers of all nations; only instead of Noah they put some person of great antiquity in their nation, as the Chaldeans,…
This verse isn't just about God bringing a flood; it's about God personally bringing it. The repeated "I, even I" emphasizes that this isn't a natural disaster, but a direct, intentional act of divine judgment against the profound corruption that had infected all of humanity.
Before this verse, God observes the extreme wickedness and corruption that has spread throughout humanity, seeing that every thought and imagination of the human heart was continually evil. He grieves over His creation and resolves to destroy all living beings with a great flood. This verse announces God's direct declaration to Noah of His impending judgment upon the earth. Following this, God immediately instructs Noah to build an ark and to bring his family and pairs of all living creatures into it to preserve them.
Before this verse, God observes the extreme wickedness and corruption that has spread throughout humanity, seeing that every thought and imagination of the human heart was continually evil. He grieves over His creation and resolves to destroy all living beings with a great flood. This verse announces God's direct declaration to Noah of His impending judgment upon the earth. Following this, God immediately instructs Noah to build an ark and to bring his family and pairs of all living creatures into it to preserve them.
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God's Judgment Decreed
God observes the pervasive wickedness and resolves to bring a global flood to cleanse the earth and preserve life through Noah.
c. 2349 BC - 2348 BC
Noah Builds the Ark
Obeying God's specific instructions, Noah, a righteous man, constructs a massive ark to save his family and pairs of animals.
c. 2348 BC
The Great Flood Begins
The catastrophic deluge commences, covering the entire earth and destroying all life outside the ark, marking a pivotal moment in human history.
This prophetic passage mentions Noah alongside Daniel and Job as righteous figures, noting, 'even if these three men were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.' This highlights Noah's unique righteousness in a corrupt generation, as described in the lead-up to the flood in Genesis 6.
"For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die." — This verse isn't just about God bringing a flood; it's about God personally bringing it. The repeated "I, even I" emphasizes that this isn't a natural disaster, but a direct, intentional act of div…
