Genesis 6:5

Genesis 6:5 serves as a pivotal verse, explaining the divine rationale behind the impending global flood. It paints a stark picture of humanity's moral decay in the pre-Flood world, highlighting the depth of sin that permeated every aspect of human existence.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of a rapidly multiplying human population after the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden. As humanity spread across the earth, so too did wickedness. The preceding verses in Genesis 6 describe the "sons of God" taking "daughters of men," often interpreted as a further acceleration of spiritual and moral corruption. This verse encapsulates God's assessment of the overall state of the world, leading directly to His decision to send the Flood, as detailed in Genesis 6:7 and subsequent chapters.

Key Themes

• Pervasive Human Depravity: The verse emphasizes that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth." This wasn't isolated evil but a widespread condition, indicating a complete moral breakdown across society.
• Inward Corruption of the Heart: It goes deeper than outward actions, stating "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This reveals that sin wasn't just external behavior but originated from the deepest intentions, desires, and inclinations of the human heart. This theme resonates with later biblical teachings on the heart's condition, such as Jeremiah 17:9.
• God's Omniscience and Justice: "And GOD saw" underscores divine awareness and judgment. God is not ignorant of human actions or even their hidden thoughts. His observation serves as the basis for His righteous response to sin.
• Continual and Unrelenting Evil: The phrase "only evil continually" highlights the consistent, uninterrupted nature of this wickedness. There was no good mixed in, no moments of moral uprightness; the inclination was perpetually towards evil.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "wickedness" is ra'ah (רָעָה), which signifies evil, badness, misery, and calamity. It encompasses both moral depravity and the resulting distress.
• Perhaps the most significant term here is "imagination," from the Hebrew yetser (יֵצֶר). This word refers to a "formation," "purpose," or "inclination," often describing the underlying bent or disposition of something. Here, it refers to the deep-seated inclination or framework of human thought. The verse indicates that this fundamental inclination of the heart was inherently and consistently evil.
• "Thoughts of his heart" (machashavah lev) points to the innermost workings of the mind and spirit—the plans, purposes, and affections that define a person.
• "Continually" (kol hayyom), meaning "all the day" or "every day," emphasizes the persistent and ceaseless nature of this evil inclination.

Practical Application

Genesis 6:5 serves as a timeless reminder of the profound impact of sin on humanity and the enduring truth about the fallen human condition. It teaches us:

• The Seriousness of Sin: God takes sin, especially the corruption of the heart, very seriously. It's not just outward actions but the very source of our thoughts and desires that matters to Him.
• The Need for Transformation: This verse underscores the deep-seated nature of sin, which cannot be overcome by human effort alone. It points to the necessity of divine intervention and a spiritual rebirth to change the heart's inclination, a concept later developed in the New Testament concerning the new birth in Christ.
• Guarding the Heart: Just as the pre-Flood generation's hearts were wholly evil, believers today are called to guard their hearts, knowing that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts" (Mark 7:21). This involves prayer, meditation on God's Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to renew our minds.