The verse emphasizes that every intention of the heart was evil, not just occasional thoughts or actions. This points to a deep, systemic corruption within human nature itself, where even the very formation of thoughts was inherently flawed and bent towards wickedness. It’s a powerful picture of total depravity, suggesting that the issue wasn't just outward behavior, but the inner source from which all behavior springs.
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. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Before Noah began building the ark, God looked upon humanity and saw how deeply corrupted they had become. This wasn't just about outward actions; it was about the very core of their beings, as their thoughts and intentions were pervasively evil, leading to widespread violence and moral decay across the entire earth. God's observation of this profound wickedness was so significant that it moved Him to regret creating humanity and to decide on a drastic judgment.
Imagine a darkness so complete that not a single beam of light can penetrate. Genesis 6:5 paints a stark picture of humanity's condition before the flood.
God's observation of humanity revealed a profound and widespread corruption. The verse highlights that this wasn't just about outward actions, but the very 'intention of the thoughts of his heart.'
A World Drenched in Evil
When God looks at humanity, what does He see? Genesis 6:5 reveals a divine perspective that is both sorrowful and just.
The verse isn't just a description of human sin; it's an account of God's of that sin. This divine observation is crucial for understanding God's response.
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A Witness to Wickedness
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.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, the self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping Creator who reveals Himself to His people.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
A strong emotional reaction of sorrow or pain, often used in Scripture to describe God’s response to human sin, though not implying a change in God's eternal nature or character.
atsab · Hebrew Verb
A deep-seated pain or sorrow, often associated with the seat of intellect and emotions; when attributed to God, it highlights His personal, emotional engagement with the moral state of His creation.
leb · Hebrew Noun
The inner part of a person, often representing the center of personality, will, emotions, and moral decision-making.
machah · Hebrew Verb
To wipe away, erase, or destroy, used here to describe the thorough removal of humanity and living creatures from the earth as a judgment for sin.
chen · Hebrew Noun
Unmerited kindness or grace shown by a superior to an inferior; specifically, God’s gracious disposition toward a person that leads to His blessing or deliverance.
This verse describes a humanity so thoroughly corrupted that their very thoughts and intentions were perpetually evil. This wasn't just about isolated bad actions, but a deep-seated, pervasive moral decay that God observed before enacting judgment.
c. 10,000 BC - 3000 BC
Early Human Civilization
Following the last Ice Age, humanity began to spread and develop diverse cultures and societies across the globe.
c. 4000 BC
Development of Agriculture and Early Settlements
Humanity shifted towards settled agricultural lifestyles, leading to the growth of villages and early cities, and increased population density.
c. 3500 BC - 3000 BC
Rise of Early Civilizations
Complex societies emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt, with organized governments, specialized labor, and monumental architecture.
Unknown (pre-Flood)— this verse
Widespread Human Wickedness
Humanity, despite its growing capabilities and societal structures, became deeply corrupt, with violence and evil intentions dominating the hearts of people.
Unknown (pre-Flood)
God's Decision to Send the Flood
Witnessing the pervasive wickedness, God grieved and resolved to cleanse the earth through a great flood, preserving only Noah and his family.
This verse echoes Genesis 6:5 by stating 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?' highlighting the deep-seated, inherent sinfulness of the human heart.
Romans 3:10-12The Apostle Paul quotes from the Psalms (which in turn reflect the sentiment of Genesis 6:5) to declare that '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.' This emphasizes the universality of the depravity described in Genesis.
Matthew 15:18-19Jesus states, 'But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false accusation, slander.' This directly links the evil intentions of the heart, as seen in Genesis 6:5, to outward sinful actions.
Psalm 14:1-3This Psalm laments, 'The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.' This reflects the pervasive wickedness and the divine observation of it mentioned in Genesis 6:5.
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 emphasizes that every intention of the heart was evil, not just occasional thoughts or actions. This points to a deep, systemic corruption within human nature itself, where even the very formation of thoughts was inherently flawed and bent towards wickedness. It’s a powerful picture of total depravity, suggesting that the issue wasn't just outward behavior, but the inner source from which all behavior springs.
Before Noah began building the ark, God looked upon humanity and saw how deeply corrupted they had become. This wasn't just about outward actions; it was about the very core of their beings, as their thoughts and intentions were pervasively evil, leading to widespread violence and moral decay across the entire earth. God's observation of this profound wickedness was so significant that it moved Him to regret creating humanity and to decide on a drastic judgment.
Before Noah began building the ark, God looked upon humanity and saw how deeply corrupted they had become. This wasn't just about outward actions; it was about the very core of their beings, as their thoughts and intentions were pervasively evil, leading to widespread violence and moral decay across the entire earth. God's observation of this profound wickedness was so significant that it moved Him to regret creating humanity and to decide on a drastic judgment.
"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. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So…" — The verse emphasizes that every intention of the heart was evil, not just occasional thoughts or actions. This points to a deep, systemic corruption within human nature itself, where even the very…
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Last reviewed October 2026
