Genesis 7:21

¶ And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

And all flesh {H1320} died {H1478} that moved {H7430} upon the earth {H776}, both of fowl {H5775}, and of cattle {H929}, and of beast {H2416}, and of every creeping thing {H8318} that creepeth {H8317} upon the earth {H776}, and every man {H120}:

All living beings that moved on the earth perished — birds, livestock, other animals, insects, and every human being,

And every living thing that moved upon the earth perished—birds, livestock, animals, every creature that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind.

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both birds, and cattle, and beasts, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

Commentary

Genesis 7:21 vividly describes the devastating impact of the Great Flood, marking the peak of God's judgment upon a corrupted world. This verse follows the detailed account of the waters rising and covering the earth, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the destruction outside of Noah's Ark.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive flood narrative in Genesis chapters 6-9. God, grieved by the pervasive wickedness and violence of humanity (Genesis 6:5), determined to cleanse the earth. Noah, found righteous in God's eyes, was commanded to build an ark to preserve life. Genesis 7:21 details the fulfillment of God's judgment, specifically the death of all land-dwelling creatures and humanity not aboard the Ark. It directly follows verses describing the forty days and nights of rain and the rising waters, setting the stage for the universal destruction.

Key Themes

  • Universality of Judgment: The phrase "all flesh died" and the subsequent exhaustive list—"both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing... and every man"—underscores the complete and indiscriminate nature of the judgment. No land-dwelling life was spared outside the Ark, highlighting the severity of God's response to sin.
  • Divine Justice and Consequence of Sin: Genesis 7:21 is a powerful testament to God's holiness and His unwavering justice. The widespread death serves as a stark reminder of the wages of sin and the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's ways. It demonstrates that God does not overlook profound evil.
  • God's Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over creation and destruction. The Flood was not a natural disaster but a divine act, meticulously executed according to God's plan and purpose, demonstrating His supreme authority over all life and the natural world.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's repetitive and comprehensive listing of creature types—"fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth"—is characteristic of biblical Hebrew literary style used to emphasize totality and completeness. The Hebrew word for "flesh" (basar) here refers broadly to all living creatures, including humans, further reinforcing the universal scope of the judgment described.

Practical Application

Genesis 7:21, though depicting a cataclysmic event, carries timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: It reminds us that sin is not trivial but has profound and devastating consequences, both individually and collectively.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: It affirms God's perfect holiness and His commitment to justice. While He is merciful, He is also righteous and will judge unrighteousness.
  • The Importance of Obedience: Just as Noah and his family were saved through obedience to God's specific instructions, believers are called to trust and obey God's Word, finding salvation and protection in His plan. This narrative foreshadows the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 6:13 (5 votes)

    ¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

  • Genesis 7:4 (4 votes)

    For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

  • Genesis 6:17 (4 votes)

    And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life, from under heaven; [and] every thing that [is] in the earth shall die.

  • Romans 8:20 (3 votes)

    For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,

  • Genesis 6:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

  • Genesis 6:7 (3 votes)

    And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

  • Hosea 4:3 (2 votes)

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.