Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

2 PETER 3:6KJV
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2 Peter 3:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 3:6 mean?

2 Peter 3:6 refers to the ancient world being destroyed by a great flood, saying that the world at that time was overwhelmed with water and perished. The verse points back to the story of Noah’s flood as an example of God’s judgment on a previous generation.

Peter, writing to early Christians, is reminding them that God has acted in history to judge evil, using the flood as a clear example. He is answering people who doubt that God will ever intervene again, showing that God’s judgment in the past is a warning and a promise about the future.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 3:6

  • κόσμος (kosmos, G2889): This word for "world" often means the ordered world or human society, not just the physical earth. Here, it emphasizes that it was not just land but the whole human world that was affected by the flood.
  • κατακλύζω (kataklyzō, G2626): Translated as "overflowed," this Greek word is the root of the English "cataclysm." It describes a sudden, overwhelming flood, highlighting the total and destructive nature of the event.
  • ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi, G622): The word for "perished" means to be destroyed or ruined completely. It stresses the finality of what happened to that world.

Why 2 Peter 3:6 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God is distant or uninvolved by pointing to a real, historical act of judgment.
  • It connects the flood to Peter’s larger argument in the chapter: just as God judged the world before, He can and will do so again.
  • The verse helps readers understand that biblical warnings about judgment are grounded in past events, not just abstract threats.

Where else these words appear

“water” Greek G5204 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
  • Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

“perished” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
  • John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.