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.
GENESIS 6:7KJVWhat does Genesis 6:7 mean?
Genesis 6:7 describes God’s decision to wipe out humanity, along with animals, creeping things, and birds, from the earth because He regrets having made them. The verse shows God’s deep sorrow over the widespread evil and corruption among His creation.
In this verse, the LORD is speaking about His response to the growing wickedness on earth before the flood. God’s words are not just about people but include all living creatures, highlighting how far the corruption had spread. The verse expresses a strong sense of grief and disappointment, not just anger, as God considers undoing His creative work.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:7
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing a direct and personal involvement in the decision.
- "Destroy" (מָחָה, machah): This word means to blot out or wipe away, suggesting a thorough removal, not just punishment.
- "Repenteth" (נָחַם, nacham): This word is often understood as expressing deep sorrow or regret, not repentance from sin, but a grieving over what has happened.
- "Created" (בָּרָא, bara): This word is used for God’s unique act of creation, so the decision to destroy is directly connected to His original act of making life.
Why Genesis 6:7 matters
- Genesis 6:7 clarifies that God’s judgment is not impulsive anger but a sorrowful response to the depth of human and earthly corruption.
- The verse connects the fate of animals and birds to humanity’s actions, showing the far-reaching effects of human choices on all creation.
- This verse sets the stage for the story of the flood, making clear that the coming judgment is rooted in God’s grief over the state of the world He made.