Genesis 7:21-24
“Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 Meaning
The verses in Genesis 7:21-24 describe the devastating flood that God sent upon the earth during the time of Noah. These verses illustrate the overwhelming power of God’s judgment and His ability to bring about total destruction. They highlight the consequence of humanity’s disobedience and the importance of obedience to God’s commands.
Explanation and Commentary on Genesis 7:21-24
In Genesis 7:21-24, we witness the staggering power of God’s judgment through the Great Flood. The passage vividly portrays the cataclysmic event where every living thing on earth, apart from those safely nestled within the ark, was obliterated by the relentless waters.
As we delve into these verses, it’s crucial to understand the context. God, deeply grieved by humanity’s pervasive wickedness, resolved to purge the earth of its corruption. Noah, a righteous man in God’s eyes, had faithfully obeyed God’s command to construct the ark, which became the vessel of salvation for him, his family, and pairs of every living creature.
The floodwaters surged forth not merely as a natural disaster but as a divine act of judgment upon the unrepentant world. The intensity of God’s wrath is unmistakable as the waters rose, submerging the highest mountains and extinguishing all life outside the ark. This display of God’s justice against sin echoes throughout the Bible, serving as a sobering reminder of God’s holiness and the consequences of disobedience.
The all-encompassing nature of the flood in these verses reflects the severity of God’s judgment upon sin. It emphasizes the utter destruction that comes when God’s patience reaches its limit and His judgment is unleashed. This solemn event foreshadows the final judgment to come, as spoken of in other parts of Scripture, such as in Matthew 24:37-39, where Jesus compares the days of Noah to the future judgment, urging readiness and repentance.
Moreover, the salvation of Noah and his family within the ark serves as a poignant illustration of God’s grace and mercy. Despite humanity’s widespread disobedience, God provided a way of escape for those who were faithful. This echoes themes of redemption seen throughout the Bible, pointing forward to the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ, who provides refuge from the judgment of sin for all who believe in Him.
Genesis 7:21-24 stands as a chilling yet profound testament to God’s justice, the consequences of sin, and the unfailing nature of His grace for those who heed His call. It prompts us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to live in obedience to God’s commands and to seek refuge in His salvation, even amidst a world marred by sin and impending judgment.
Context of Genesis 7:21-24
The story of Noah and the great flood is found in the book of Genesis, which provides an account of the creation of the world and the early history of humanity. In this particular passage, Noah has already built the ark according to God’s specific instructions, and he has gathered the animals into the ark. God instructs Noah to enter the ark along with his family, as well as two of every kind of living creature, male and female, to preserve them during the flood.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of the Bible Verses
a) “And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind.” – This emphasizes the severity of the flood and the extensive destruction it caused. The floodwaters were so powerful that they annihilated every living thing on the face of the earth, leaving no survivors outside of the ark.
b) “Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.” – This signifies the end of all life on earth, showing the absolute devastation caused by the flood. The floodwaters not only covered the land but also suffocated all living creatures, extinguishing the breath of life.
c) “He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth.” – This emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of God’s judgment. Everything that had life on the face of the earth was destroyed, leaving no trace behind.
Bible Study on the Bible Verses
The story of Noah and the flood teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it reminds us of the severity of sin and the consequences it brings. The wickedness of humanity at that time grieved God’s heart, leading to His righteous judgment. Therefore, we should take sin seriously and strive to live in obedience to God’s commands.
Secondly, the story highlights the importance of righteousness and walking with God. Noah found favor in God’s eyes because he was righteous. In a world that was filled with wickedness, he remained faithful to God. As believers, we are called to live lives of righteousness, following the example of Noah, so that we may find favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Thirdly, the story demonstrates God’s mercy and grace in the midst of judgment. Although God destroyed all life on earth, He provided a way of escape for Noah and his family through the ark. This points to the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ. Just as Noah and his family were saved from the floodwaters, we can be saved from the consequences of sin through faith in Jesus.
Also Read: Genesis 7:15-20 Meaning and Commentary
Biblical Translations of Genesis 7:21-24
Genesis 7:21-24 King James Version (KJV)
“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: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 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. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 English Standard Version (ESV)
“And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 New King James Version (NKJV)
“And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 New Living Translation (NLT)
“All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
“Every creature perished—those that crawl on the earth, birds, livestock, wildlife, and every creature that swarms on the earth, as well as all mankind. Everything with the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils—everything on dry land died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the surface of the ground, from mankind to livestock, to creatures that crawl, to the birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. And the water surged on the earth 150 days.”
Genesis 7:21-24 The Message (MSG)
“Everything living on Earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, the small creeping creatures that swarm on the ground, and all human beings. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. God blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground—every last thing, people and animals, crawling creatures and flying birds. They were all wiped out, and only Noah and his company on the ship lived.”
Final Thoughts
The story of the great flood is a sobering reminder of God’s judgment and the importance of obedience and righteousness.
It serves as a wake-up call for us to examine our lives and ensure that we are walking in alignment with God’s will.
May we learn from the example of Noah and seek to live lives that are pleasing to God, so that we may find favor in His eyes and experience His mercy and grace.