Genesis 7:23

KJV

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

KJV (with Strong's)

And every living substance {H3351} was destroyed {H4229} which was upon the face {H6440} of the ground {H127}, both man {H120}, and cattle {H929}, and the creeping things {H7431}, and the fowl {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}; and they were destroyed {H4229} from the earth {H776}: and Noah {H5146} only {H389} remained {H7604} alive, and they that {H834} were with him in the ark {H8392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He wiped out every living thing on the surface of the ground — not only human beings, but livestock, creeping animals and birds in the air. They were wiped out from the earth; only Noach was left, along with those who were with him in the ark.

Berean Standard Bible

And every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained.

American Standard Version

And every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only was left, and they that were with him in the ark.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse presents the climactic and devastating culmination of God's righteous judgment through the Great Flood, depicting the complete and utter obliteration of all terrestrial and avian life outside the ark, while simultaneously highlighting the miraculous and singular preservation of Noah and all who were with him, thereby establishing the foundation for a new beginning for humanity and the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to the narrative of the Flood's onset and its devastating impact, immediately following the description of the forty days and nights of rain and the rising waters that covered even the highest mountains ([Genesis 7:17-20](/genesis/7-17-20 "The Rising Waters of the Flood")). It provides a stark summary of the Flood's effect on all life, acting as a grim counterpoint to the initial commands for creation to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:22](/genesis/1-22 "God's Command to Multiply")). The verse sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of the waters receding and the new covenant God establishes with Noah, marking a pivotal transition from divine judgment to divine grace and re-creation in [Genesis 8-9](/genesis/8 "The Flood Recedes and God's Covenant with Noah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Great Flood narrative, while unique in its theological framing, resonates with widespread flood accounts found in ancient Near Eastern cultures, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Atra-Hasis Epic. However, the biblical account distinguishes itself by emphasizing the moral culpability of humanity as the cause of the Flood, God's righteous character as the judge, and the singular preservation of a righteous individual (Noah) through divine grace and explicit instruction. This narrative would have been understood by its original audience not merely as a natural disaster, but as a profound act of divine intervention, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice in the face of pervasive human corruption ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Grief Over Human Wickedness")).
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "The Extent of the Flood's Destruction") powerfully underscores several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's holy intolerance for sin and His willingness to intervene decisively in human history to address unrighteousness. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Universality of Sin and Corruption**, as the wickedness of humanity had so permeated the earth that a comprehensive "un-creation" was deemed necessary. Thirdly, and in stark contrast, it showcases **Divine Preservation and Grace**, as Noah and his family are miraculously spared, illustrating God's faithfulness to a righteous remnant and His sovereign power to save amidst widespread destruction. This act of preservation foreshadows God's ongoing work of salvation throughout redemptive history, culminating in the ultimate act of salvation through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroyed (Hebrew, _mâchâh'_):** This primitive root literally means "to stroke or rub," but by strong implication, it conveys the sense of "to erase," "to blot out," or "to wipe away." In [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "The Destruction of the Flood"), it signifies a complete and utter annihilation, not merely a partial removal. The repetition of this word in the verse underscores the finality and comprehensiveness of the divine judgment, indicating that life was utterly obliterated from the earth's surface.
* **living substance (Hebrew, _yᵉqûwm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to stand" or "to exist," this term refers to anything that is "standing" or "extant," specifically implying a "living thing" or "that which exists." Its use here emphasizes the totality of all existing life forms that were wiped out. It's a comprehensive term for all living beings that had a physical presence on the ground, reinforcing the universal scope of the destruction.
* **remained (Hebrew, _shâʼar'_):** This root means "to swell up," and by extension, "to be redundant," "to be left over," or "to survive." In the context of [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Noah's Preservation"), it highlights the miraculous and singular nature of Noah's survival. Amidst the complete eradication of all other life, Noah and those with him were the only ones "left over" or "spared," emphasizing God's deliberate act of preservation and the concept of a chosen remnant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground":** This opening clause immediately establishes the comprehensive nature of the judgment. The phrase "every living substance" (Hebrew: _yᵉqûwm_) signifies the totality of existing life, and "upon the face of the ground" emphasizes the terrestrial realm as the target of this destruction. The verb "destroyed" (Hebrew: _mâchâh_) conveys a complete wiping away, leaving nothing behind.
* **"both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven;":** This enumeration provides specific categories of life that were annihilated, reinforcing the universal scope of the Flood. It includes humanity, all domesticated and wild land animals ("cattle" and "creeping things"), and all birds ("fowl of the heaven"). This detailed list leaves no ambiguity regarding the comprehensive nature of the judgment, encompassing all forms of non-aquatic life.
* **"and they were destroyed from the earth:":** This phrase serves as a powerful reiteration and emphatic confirmation of the preceding statement. The repetition of "destroyed" underscores the finality and completeness of the obliteration. "From the earth" further emphasizes the global scale, indicating that life was removed from the entire planet's surface.
* **"and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.":** In stark contrast to the preceding descriptions of universal destruction, this clause introduces the theme of divine preservation. The word "only" (Hebrew: _ʼak_) highlights Noah's unique status as the sole survivor of humanity outside the ark. The verb "remained" (Hebrew: _shâʼar_) signifies his miraculous sparing, emphasizing that his survival was not accidental but a deliberate act of God's grace and sovereignty, confined specifically to those within the divinely appointed vessel, the ark.

#### Literary Devices
[Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Literary Devices in Genesis 7:23") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Enumeration** is evident in the detailed listing of life forms destroyed: "man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven," which meticulously emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the judgment, leaving no category of terrestrial or avian life unmentioned. **Repetition** of the verb "destroyed" (Hebrew: _mâchâh_), appearing twice within the verse ("every living substance was destroyed" and "they were destroyed from the earth"), serves to intensify the sense of finality and totality of the divine reckoning. This reinforces the idea that the destruction was absolute and irreversible for those outside the ark. Most strikingly, the verse utilizes profound **Contrast** to highlight the central theological tension: the universal destruction of "every living substance" is set against the singular, miraculous preservation of "Noah only... and they that were with him in the ark." This juxtaposition powerfully underscores God's sovereign power both to judge and to save, establishing Noah as a divinely chosen remnant amidst global annihilation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Theological Implications of the Flood") stands as a foundational text for understanding the severity of God's righteous judgment against sin, the comprehensive nature of the Fall's impact on creation, and the miraculous power of divine preservation. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent to human wickedness but will act decisively to uphold His holiness and justice. The global scope of the destruction underscores the pervasive corruption that necessitated such a radical cleansing, while Noah's singular preservation highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes and His ability to save a righteous remnant. This event sets a precedent for understanding future divine interventions and the ultimate separation between those who are "in Christ" and those who remain outside of His saving grace.

* [Deuteronomy 29:20](/deuteronomy/29-20 "God's Wrath and Blotting Out")
* [Psalm 90:7-11](/psalm/90-7-11 "The Brevity of Life and God's Wrath")
* [2 Peter 2:5](/2_peter/2-5 "God's Preservation of Noah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Lessons from the Flood") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Firstly, it serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. While God is patient and merciful, His holiness demands a response to persistent rebellion. This should compel us to a deeper understanding of our own need for repentance and reliance on God's grace, rather than presuming upon His patience. Secondly, the preservation of Noah and his family in the ark provides a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness and His provision for salvation. Just as Noah found refuge in a divinely appointed vessel, believers today find their ultimate safety and hope in Jesus Christ, who is our [spiritual "ark" of salvation](/john/14-6 "Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life"). This verse calls us to examine our own lives: are we living in obedience to God's commands, trusting in His provision, and standing apart from the corrupting influences of the world, much like Noah did in his generation ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-6 "Noah's Righteousness"))? The narrative of the Flood, culminating in this verse, should instill both a healthy fear of God's justice and an unwavering confidence in His power to preserve those who are His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the comprehensive nature of the destruction in Genesis 7:23 challenge my understanding of God's holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways does Noah's singular preservation encourage me about God's faithfulness and His ability to save a remnant?**
* **What "ark" or means of salvation has God provided for me today, and how am I actively abiding in it?**
* **How does the contrast between universal destruction and singular preservation in this verse inform my view of the world around me and my place within it as a follower of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Does Genesis 7:23 imply the Flood was global?**

Answer: Yes, the language employed in [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "The Global Scope of the Flood") strongly and unequivocally indicates a global flood. Phrases such as "every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground," explicitly enumerating "man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven," and the concluding statement "they were destroyed from the earth," collectively describe a comprehensive and universal annihilation of all non-aquatic life across the entire planet. The biblical text presents this event as a complete undoing of the land-based creation, with the sole exception of those divinely preserved within the ark, leaving no room for a localized interpretation.

**Why did God destroy animals along with humans?**

Answer: The destruction of animals, as vividly described in [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "God's Judgment on All Creation"), reflects the profound interconnectedness of all creation and the comprehensive nature of God's judgment on a world utterly corrupted by human sin. Humanity, created in God's image and given dominion over the earth ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Cultural Mandate in Genesis 1:28")), was responsible for bringing sin and its consequences into the world. The Fall of humanity brought a curse not only upon mankind but also upon the entire creation ([Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "The Curse on the Ground and Human Toil")). The pervasive wickedness of mankind had so defiled the earth that a complete cleansing, a form of "un-creation," was deemed necessary. While animals are not morally culpable like humans, they are part of the fallen order and, in God's sovereign judgment, shared in the consequences of humanity's rebellion, necessitating a comprehensive renewal.

**What is the significance of "Noah only remained [alive]"?**

Answer: The phrase "Noah only remained [alive]" (Hebrew: _shâʼar_) in [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Noah's Unique Preservation") carries immense theological significance, highlighting God's sovereign choice, miraculous preservation, and the concept of a righteous remnant amidst universal destruction. It signifies that Noah was not merely a lucky survivor, but a divinely chosen individual, found righteous in a wicked generation ([Genesis 6:8-9](/genesis/6-8-9 "Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord")), selected to be the progenitor of a new humanity and the recipient of a new covenant ([Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "God's Covenant with Noah")). His survival underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, His ability to preserve a people for Himself even in the direst circumstances, and establishes a recurring biblical pattern of salvation through a chosen few who maintain fidelity to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "The Ark as a Type of Christ"), with its stark portrayal of universal judgment and the singular preservation of Noah and his family within the ark, serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the ark was God's divinely appointed and exclusive means of salvation from a world overwhelmed by judgment, so too is Jesus Christ the sole means of salvation from the coming judgment upon a sinful world ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Salvation in No One Else")). The ark's single "door" ([Genesis 6:16](/genesis/6-16 "The Door of the Ark")) provided the only entry to safety, powerfully paralleling Christ's declaration, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "Jesus as the Door")). Noah, a man found righteous in a wicked generation, foreshadows Christ, the perfectly righteous one, through whom believers are accounted righteous before God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, the Flood's cleansing of the old, corrupted creation and the establishment of a new beginning with Noah prefigures the new creation established through Christ's death and resurrection, offering spiritual cleansing and new life to all who are "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). The judgment of the Flood, therefore, is a powerful precursor to the ultimate judgment, from which only those who are "in Christ" will be preserved, as He himself warned, comparing the days of the Son of Man to the "days of Noah" ([Matthew 24:37-39](/matthew/24-37-39 "The Days of Noah and the Coming of the Son of Man")).

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

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;

1 Peter 3:20

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Luke 17:26

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luke 17:27

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Matthew 24:37

But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:39

And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.