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:

GENESIS 7:21KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 7:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 7:21 mean?

Genesis 7:21 states that every living creature on land died during the flood, including birds, livestock, wild animals, all creatures that move along the ground, and all humans. This verse emphasizes the total destruction caused by the flood, sparing no category of land-dwelling life.

Genesis 7:21 is part of the flood narrative, where God brings judgment on the earth due to widespread human corruption. The verse is a summary statement, making clear that the flood’s impact was complete and universal for all living things on land. The language groups every kind of animal and person together, highlighting the seriousness and scale of the event.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 7:21

  • "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): This word often refers to all living beings with physical bodies, not just humans. Here, it stresses that every creature with life was affected.
  • "died" (גָּוַע, gava): This verb means to expire or perish, underscoring the finality of what happened to all these creatures.
  • "moved" (רָמַשׂ, ramas): This word is used for creatures that crawl or move along the ground, making it clear that even the smallest land animals were included.
  • "earth" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This term can mean land, country, or earth, but here it points specifically to the dry land as opposed to the sea.

Why Genesis 7:21 matters

  • Genesis 7:21 corrects any idea that the flood was only a local or partial event; the language is sweeping and includes every kind of land-based life.
  • The verse connects back to the earlier creation account, where God filled the earth with living creatures; now, the same categories are listed as being wiped out, showing the seriousness of the judgment.
  • This verse sets up the significance of Noah and those with him in the ark, who are the only exceptions to this total destruction, emphasizing the themes of judgment and salvation.

Where else these words appear

“creepeth” Hebrew H8317 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Exodus 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
  • Leviticus 11:42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

“thing” Hebrew H8318 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Leviticus 11:21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;
  • Leviticus 11:42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

“moved” Hebrew H7430 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Genesis 7:14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
  • Leviticus 11:46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:

“died” Hebrew H1478 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 6:17 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.
  • Numbers 20:3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
  • Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.