“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 7:21 (KJV)”
Genesis 7:21 is part of the account of the great Flood, during which God brought judgement upon the earth due to the increasing wickedness of humanity. In the preceding verses, God instructs Noah to enter the ark along with his family and a selection of animals. Then, in verse 21, it describes the devastating consequence of the Flood: “all flesh died that moved upon the earth.”
This verse emphasises the all-encompassing nature of the Flood’s destruction. It states that all living creatures that moved on the earth perished—birds (fowl), livestock (cattle), wild animals (beast), creeping things, and even every human being. The universality of this event emphasises the severity of God’s judgement and the extent of the cleansing that took place.
Context:The Flood account in Genesis serves multiple purposes within the biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights God’s righteousness and justice in dealing with sin. The increasing wickedness and corruption on the earth had reached such a level that God chose to cleanse it completely and start afresh with Noah and his family. The Flood illustrates God’s commitment to maintaining righteousness and the consequences that come with continued disobedience.
Secondly, the account of the Flood demonstrates God’s faithfulness to those who walk in righteousness and obedience. Noah found favour in God’s eyes because he was a righteous man who walked with God. As a result, God commanded Noah to build the ark and preserved him and his family from the destruction that befell the rest of humanity.
Lastly, the Flood foreshadows future events and themes within the Bible. The New Testament draws parallels between the judgement of the Flood and the final judgement that will come at the end of the age. Jesus Himself refers to the days of Noah, warning that when the Son of Man returns, it will be a time of judgement and separation (Matthew 24:37-39). The Flood serves as a reminder of the need to be prepared for God’s judgement and to walk in righteousness.
In summary, Genesis 7:21 portrays the devastating consequences of the Flood, emphasising the universality of the destruction that came upon all flesh. It underscores God’s righteousness, His faithfulness to the righteous, and foreshadows future events of judgement and redemption.
