The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that it wasn't just outward actions, but the very "imagination of the thoughts of his heart" that was continually evil. This means that even the hidden intentions and internal thought processes were perverted, pointing to a deep, internal corruption that left no room for hope of natural amendment. This isn't just about doing bad things; it's about the internal capacity to even conceive of good being utterly lost.
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As humanity multiplies, a deep corruption spreads, marked by the "sons of God" (believed to be descendants of Seth) intermarrying with the "daughters of men" (descendants of Cain), blurring the lines between the godly lineage and the ungodly. This blending leads to a generation known for their violence and power, prompting God to observe the pervasive wickedness infecting every aspect of human thought and intention, a profound evil that ultimately leads Him to lament His creation and decree its destruction.
Before the flood, God saw something so disturbing about humanity that it led Him to a devastating decision. What was it that truly captured His attention?
Genesis 6:5 paints a stark picture of the pre-flood world. The 'greatness' of human wickedness wasn't just about numerous sinful acts, but a deep, pervasive corruption. It wasn't limited to a few individuals or specific sins, but had spread 'in the earth,' affecting everyone and everything. This wasn't just a societal problem; it was internal. God saw that 'every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.' This means the very core of human thinking, their desires, plans, and imaginations, were consistently and utterly bent towards evil. There was no hint of good, no break in the pattern, from their earliest thoughts to their every waking moment.
God didn't just notice a little bad behavior; He saw something profound and deeply troubling. What does His perspective tell us about His nature?
The verse begins with 'The LORD saw.' This isn't just an observation; it signifies God's active, discerning gaze. He didn't miss the extent of the corruption. The 'greatness' of man's wickedness wasn't hidden from Him. This vision led to a profound reaction: God was 'grieved' and 'repented' (Genesis 6:6) that He had made humanity. This doesn't mean God changed His mind or made a mistake. Instead, it highlights the intensity of His sorrow and displeasure over sin. His perfect knowledge of human hearts revealed a reality so far from His good design that it necessitated a drastic intervention. God's seeing is not passive; it leads to a just and sorrowful response to sin.
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Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Describes moral depravity, corruption, and a deviation from the divine standard of holiness. It denotes an active hostility toward God’s will and moral law.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the core of human personality, encompassing the mind, will, emotions, and moral faculties. It is the seat of decision-making where both good and evil intentions are formed.
This verse describes the extreme moral corruption that had taken hold of humanity before the Great Flood, a pivotal event in Earth's history, highlighting the depth of human sin and God's judgment.
c. 10,000 BC - 3000 BC
Early Human Civilization
Following the retreat of the last ice age, early human societies began to develop, with increasing population density and the rise of complex social structures.
c. 3000 BC
Development of Early Agriculture
The mastery of agriculture allowed for settled communities and a significant increase in population, leading to greater social interaction and the potential for widespread corruption.
c. 3000 BC - 2350 BC
Emergence of Early City-States
Complex societies and city-states began to form, bringing with them both advancements and new challenges like social stratification, conflict, and moral decay.
c. 2350 BC— this verse
The Pre-Flood Era
This period represents the time immediately preceding the Great Flood, characterized by a profound spiritual and moral corruption that permeated all of human society.
c. 2350 BC
The Great Flood Begins
God sends a global flood to cleanse the earth of its pervasive wickedness, saving only Noah and his family, along with pairs of every animal, on the Ark.
This passage echoes Genesis 6:5 by describing humanity's fallen state, stating that 'The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of man to see if there were any who did them, any who sought God. But they have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.'
Jeremiah 17:9This verse powerfully parallels the description of the human heart in Genesis 6:5, declaring, 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the LORD search the heart and give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his deeds.'
Romans 3:10-12The Apostle Paul quotes from the Psalms to emphasize the universal sinfulness of humanity, aligning with the comprehensive wickedness described in Genesis 6:5: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.'
Matthew 15:18-19Jesus describes the source of evil actions as originating from within the heart, much like Genesis 6:5 points to the internal corruption: 'But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false accusation, slander.'
Genesis 8:21After the flood, God acknowledges the persistent inclination of the human heart towards sin, indicating that the post-flood human condition is still fundamentally flawed, echoing the severity described in Genesis 6:5: 'For the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth.'
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…
gillGenesis 6:5: "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
And God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth,.... That it spread throughout the earth, wherever it was inhabited by men, both among the posterity of Cain and Seth, and who indeed now were mixed together, and become one people: this respects actual transgressions, the wicked actions of men, and those of the grosser sort, whic…
The verse highlights that it wasn't just outward actions, but the very "imagination of the thoughts of his heart" that was continually evil. This means that even the hidden intentions and internal thought processes were perverted, pointing to a deep, internal corruption that left no room for hope of natural amendment. This isn't just about doing bad things; it's about the internal capacity to even conceive of good being utterly lost.
As humanity multiplies, a deep corruption spreads, marked by the "sons of God" (believed to be descendants of Seth) intermarrying with the "daughters of men" (descendants of Cain), blurring the lines between the godly lineage and the ungodly. This blending leads to a generation known for their violence and power, prompting God to observe the pervasive wickedness infecting every aspect of human thought and intention, a profound evil that ultimately leads Him to lament His creation and decree its destruction.
As humanity multiplies, a deep corruption spreads, marked by the "sons of God" (believed to be descendants of Seth) intermarrying with the "daughters of men" (descendants of Cain), blurring the lines between the godly lineage and the ungodly. This blending leads to a generation known for their violence and power, prompting God to observe the pervasive wickedness infecting every aspect of human thought and intention, a profound evil that ultimately leads Him to lament His creation and decree its destruction.
"The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." — The verse highlights that it wasn't just outward actions, but the very "imagination of the thoughts of his heart" that was continually evil. This means that even the hidden intentions and internal th…
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Last reviewed October 2026