And all flesh died, that mooued vpon the earth, both of fowle, & of cattell, and of beast, and of euery creeping thing that creepeth vpon the earth, and euery man. Genesis 7:21 (KJV)
Genesis 7:21 is part of the account of the great Flood, during which God brought judgment upon the earth because of humanity’s increasing wickedness. In the preceding verses God instructed Noah to bring his family and a selection of animals into the ark. Verse 21 then records the devastating result: “all flesh died that moved upon the earth”—birds, livestock, wild beasts, creeping things, and every person outside the ark. The passage emphasizes the all‑encompassing nature of the Flood’s destruction and the severity of God’s judgment.
The Flood narrative serves several purposes in Scripture. First, it displays God’s righteousness and justice in dealing with sin; the corruption of the world had reached a point where a complete cleansing was necessary, allowing God to start anew with Noah and his family. Second, it demonstrates God’s faithfulness to those who walk in righteousness. Noah found favor in God’s eyes, and because of his obedience God commanded the building of the ark and preserved his household from the catastrophe that consumed the rest of humanity.
Finally, the Flood foreshadows later biblical themes. The New Testament draws a parallel between the Flood judgment and the final judgment at the end of the age. Jesus refers to the days of Noah when warning that the Son of Man will come like a thief, separating the righteous from the wicked (cf. Matthew 24:37‑39). Thus the account reminds believers to be prepared for God’s judgment and to live in obedience.
In summary, Genesis 7:21 portrays the universal devastation of the Flood, underscoring God’s righteous judgment, His covenant faithfulness to the obedient, and the prophetic echo of future judgment and redemption.
