Genesis 6:12

KJV

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} looked {H7200} upon the earth {H776}, and, behold, it was corrupt {H7843}; for all flesh {H1320} had corrupted {H7843} his way {H1870} upon the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God saw the earth, and, yes, it was corrupt; for all living beings had corrupted their ways on the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways.

American Standard Version

And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 6:12 delivers a stark divine assessment of the pre-Flood world, revealing a profound and pervasive moral decay that had infiltrated every aspect of human existence. This pivotal verse underscores the depth of creation's rebellion against its Creator and provides the solemn justification for the impending divine judgment, setting the immediate narrative stage for the global deluge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 6:12 serves as the climactic diagnostic statement following a series of escalating revelations concerning humanity's wickedness. The preceding verses detail the proliferation of human population ([Genesis 6:1](/genesis/6-1 "Genesis 6:1 - Human Population Growth")) and the mysterious union of the "sons of God" with the "daughters of men" ([Genesis 6:2](/genesis/6-2 "Genesis 6:2 - Sons of God and Daughters of Men")), which appears to have exacerbated the moral decline. God's declaration that His Spirit will not strive with humanity indefinitely ([Genesis 6:3](/genesis/6-3 "Genesis 6:3 - God's Spirit Will Not Strive Forever")) and the subsequent description of the Nephilim ([Genesis 6:4](/genesis/6-4 "Genesis 6:4 - The Nephilim")) precede the devastating summary in [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - Pervasive Human Wickedness"), where God observes that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This verse, [Genesis 6:12](/genesis/6-12 "Genesis 6:12 - God's Assessment of Earth's Corruption"), therefore, acts as the final, comprehensive divine indictment, solidifying the justification for God's sorrowful decision to "blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth" ([Genesis 6:7](/genesis/6-7 "Genesis 6:7 - God's Decision to Destroy Humanity")), leading directly into the narrative of Noah and the Flood.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The pre-Flood world, as depicted in Genesis, existed without the specific Mosaic Law, yet humanity was accountable to God's inherent moral standards, evident from the earliest commands and the consequences of sin in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). The concept of "way" (Hebrew: _derek_) was deeply significant in ancient Near Eastern thought, referring not merely to a physical path but to one's entire conduct, lifestyle, and moral trajectory. The pervasive corruption described in [Genesis 6:11-12](/genesis/6-11-12 "Genesis 6:11-12 - The Earth Corrupt Before God") suggests a societal breakdown where violence (mentioned in [Genesis 6:11](/genesis/6-11 "Genesis 6:11 - Earth Filled with Violence")) and moral depravity were rampant, indicating a complete departure from God's created order and His original intention for humanity. There was no widespread system of justice or moral governance that could stem the tide of wickedness, leading to a state of utter ruin from God's perspective.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 6:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **pervasiveness and destructive nature of sin**, demonstrating how human rebellion can utterly corrupt creation, moving from individual acts of sin (like Cain's murder in [Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Murders Abel")) to a universal state of moral ruin. Secondly, it highlights **God's active observation and righteous judgment**, revealing a God who is not distant but intimately aware of the moral state of His creation and who responds with holy justice when His standards are utterly violated. This contrasts sharply with His earlier declaration of creation as "very good" in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God Declares Creation Very Good"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **divine grief over human sin**, a profound emotional response from God that foreshadows His ultimate redemptive plan to address the very corruption lamented here. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **new beginnings and divine preservation** through the figure of Noah, who stands in stark contrast to the corrupted world ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6:9 - Noah's Righteousness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** H430. This is the plural form often used for the supreme God, indicating His majesty, power, and authority. Here, it emphasizes that the ultimate divine authority is making this solemn assessment, highlighting the gravity of the situation. It is the sovereign Creator who observes and judges.
* **looked (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** H7200. A primitive root meaning "to see," literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies a deliberate, comprehensive, and discerning observation by God. It's not a casual glance but an active scrutiny, implying divine knowledge and judgment based on careful examination. God's "looking" is an act of knowing and evaluating.
* **corrupt (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** H7843. A primitive root meaning "to decay," or "to ruin" (literally or figuratively). This word is repeated twice in the verse ("it was corrupt" and "had corrupted"), emphasizing the pervasive and active nature of the decay. It signifies not merely a flaw or deviation, but a complete spoiling, a moral putrefaction that has permeated the very fabric of existence, rendering it ruined and spoiled in God's sight.
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** H1320. From a root meaning "freshness," by extension, "body" or "person." In this context, "all flesh" (כָּל־בָּשָׂר, _kol-basar_) is a comprehensive idiom referring to all humanity, and by extension, the animal kingdom under human dominion. It signifies the universal scope of the corruption, indicating that wickedness was not confined to a few individuals but had infected the entire human race.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** H1870. From a root meaning "to tread," referring to a road, but figuratively, a course of life or mode of action. When "all flesh had corrupted his way," it means that humanity's entire conduct, lifestyle, moral path, and chosen trajectory had become utterly defiled and ruined in God's sight. It was a willful, active degradation of God's intended order for human behavior and societal interaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God looked upon the earth,"**: This opening phrase establishes God as the sovereign observer and judge. The act of "looking" (H7200, _râʼâh_) implies a thorough, discerning examination, not a casual glance. It highlights God's omniscience and His active engagement with His creation. He is intimately aware of the state of the world He made.
* **"and, behold, it was corrupt;"**: The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _wəhinnēh_) emphasizes the shocking and lamentable discovery God makes. The earth itself, which God had once declared "very good" ([Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God Declares Creation Very Good")), is now found to be "corrupt" (H7843, _shâchath_). This signifies a state of ruin, decay, and moral defilement that has permeated the entire created order, demonstrating the profound impact of human sin on the environment itself.
* **"for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth."**: This clause provides the explicit reason for the earth's corruption. "All flesh" (H1320, _bâsâr_) refers comprehensively to all humanity, indicating the universal scope of the depravity. The phrase "had corrupted his way" (H7843, _shâchath_ and H1870, _derek_) emphasizes that this was not a passive state but an active, willful, and pervasive degradation of God's intended moral and ethical order. Humanity had chosen a path of active rebellion, defiling not only themselves but also the world around them through their violence, immorality, and disregard for divine standards.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the use of the Hebrew root _shâchath_ (H7843), translated as "corrupt" and "corrupted." This repetition underscores the pervasive and active nature of the moral decay, emphasizing that the earth was not merely flawed but utterly ruined because humanity had actively engaged in spoiling its own path. This creates a sense of profound and irreversible damage. **Anthropomorphism** is also present, as God is depicted as "looking" upon the earth, an act typically associated with human perception. This device helps the reader grasp God's personal involvement and His sorrowful assessment of His creation. Furthermore, the phrase "all flesh" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the universal extent of the depravity, though it is likely meant literally in this context to convey the overwhelming nature of the wickedness. Finally, the verse stands in stark **Contrast** to the initial creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), where everything God made was declared "very good," highlighting the tragic fall from that original state of perfection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 6:12 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical doctrine of human depravity and the necessity of divine judgment. It powerfully illustrates that sin is not merely individual acts but a pervasive, corrupting force that affects human nature, societal structures, and even the created order. God's response to this universal corruption reveals His holy character—He is a God who sees, grieves, and acts righteously against sin, upholding His justice while also demonstrating His long-suffering. This verse sets the stage for the Flood as a divine act of cleansing and a new beginning, foreshadowing the need for a more ultimate and comprehensive redemption.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans Under Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound and sobering reminder that God is not a distant or indifferent observer but is intimately aware of the moral and spiritual state of the world He created. It challenges us to critically examine the "ways" we are walking, both individually and collectively, recognizing the insidious nature of corruption and its capacity to permeate every facet of society, from personal ethics to systemic injustices. The pervasive "corruption" described here should prompt us to confess our own sinfulness and to actively seek God's transformative grace, understanding that true renewal begins with a heart yielded to His righteous standards. Ultimately, Genesis 6:12 points to humanity's desperate need for divine intervention and transformation, a need that echoes through all generations and finds its ultimate answer in Christ. It calls us to live lives that reflect God's original design, striving for righteousness in a world still marred by sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "corruption" manifest in our personal lives or in the society around us today?**
* **How does God's act of "looking upon the earth" inform our understanding of His character and His involvement in the world?**
* **What specific "ways" (conduct, lifestyle choices) might we need to examine and align more closely with God's will?**
* **How does the pervasive corruption described in this verse highlight our ongoing need for God's grace and redemption?**

### FAQ

**What does "all flesh" signify in this context?**

Answer: "All flesh" (כָּל־בָּשָׂר, _kol-basar_ H1320) is a comprehensive Hebrew idiom referring primarily to all of humanity. In this context, it emphasizes the universal and pervasive nature of the corruption, indicating that wickedness was not confined to a few individuals or regions but had infected the entire human race. It underscores the totality of the moral decay that necessitated such a drastic divine response.

**What does it mean that "all flesh had corrupted his way"?**

Answer: The phrase "corrupted his way" (H7843 _shâchath_ and H1870 _derek_) refers to a profound moral degradation in humanity's collective conduct, lifestyle, and chosen path. It implies that people had actively deviated from God's righteous standards, engaging in violence, immorality, and rebellion, thereby defiling themselves and the earth. It was a deliberate and widespread turning away from the path God intended for humanity.

**How does God "looking upon the earth" relate to His character?**

Answer: This phrase (H7200 _râʼâh_) highlights God's omniscience, active involvement, and moral oversight of His creation. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent or unaware of human behavior but continually observes the state of the world, responding with righteous judgment when His creation deviates from His intended design. It underscores His role as the ultimate Judge and Sovereign over all.

**Was this corruption a sudden event or a gradual process?**

Answer: While [Genesis 6:12](/genesis/6-12 "Genesis 6:12 - God's Assessment of Earth's Corruption") presents a snapshot of the final, pervasive state of corruption, the preceding chapters ([Genesis 4](/genesis/4 "Genesis 4 - Cain and Abel") through [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "Genesis 6 - The Flood Narrative Begins")) narrate a gradual escalation of sin. This process began with individual acts like Cain's murder ([Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Murders Abel")) and continued through the increasing violence and wickedness described in [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - Pervasive Human Wickedness"). This verse marks the culmination of that progressive moral decay, reaching a point where divine intervention became necessary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 6:12, with its grim depiction of humanity's total corruption and the earth's ruin, powerfully establishes the desperate need for a divine intervention that only Christ can provide. The pervasive "corrupted way" of "all flesh" underscores the universal sinfulness inherited from Adam ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered Through One Man")) that made the incarnation of God in Christ absolutely necessary. Jesus, the perfect "second Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam")), did not corrupt His way but lived a life of perfect obedience to God's will, providing the righteousness that humanity utterly lacked and could never achieve on its own ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His atoning death on the cross and victorious resurrection offer the only means by which humanity can be truly cleansed from the pervasive corruption of sin and be made new creations in Him ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive with Christ")). He is the one who will ultimately "make all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")), reversing the corruption seen here in Genesis and establishing a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells forever ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 53:2

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

Psalms 53:3

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

Proverbs 15:3

¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Psalms 14:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.

Psalms 14:3

They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

2 Peter 2:5

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Job 22:15

¶ Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?