And every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed--man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained. And every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyedThis phrase underscores the totality of the judgment that God executed upon the earth. The Hebrew word for "destroyed" is "מָחָה" (machah), which conveys a sense of wiping out or obliterating. This reflects the severity of God's judgment against sin, emphasizing His holiness and justice. The phrase "on the face of the earth" indicates the universality of the flood, affecting all creation, not just humanity. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of widespread sin and rebellion against God. man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air
The specificity in listing "man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air" highlights the comprehensive nature of the destruction. Each category of life is mentioned to show that no part of creation was exempt from the judgment. This mirrors the creation account in Genesis 1, where God created these categories of life, now showing that the same God who creates also has the authority to judge and destroy. The inclusion of "livestock" and "crawling creatures" indicates that the effects of human sin extend beyond humanity, impacting all of creation. they were blotted out from the earth
The phrase "blotted out" uses the Hebrew word "מָחָה" (machah) again, reinforcing the idea of complete erasure. This is not merely a physical destruction but a removal from existence, akin to erasing a name from a book. It signifies the finality of God's judgment and serves as a warning of the ultimate judgment to come, as referenced in the New Testament. The earth, once filled with life, is now purged of its corruption, preparing for a new beginning. and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained
This phrase highlights the theme of divine grace and salvation. "Only Noah and those with him" signifies the remnant chosen by God to survive the judgment. Noah's obedience and faith are central here, as he found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). The "ark" symbolizes God's provision and protection, a type of Christ, who is our refuge from the coming judgment. This remnant motif is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, illustrating God's faithfulness to preserve a people for Himself despite widespread apostasy. Persons / Places / Events 1. NoahA righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and preserve life on earth. He obeyed God's commands and built the ark. 2. The ArkA large vessel constructed by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and pairs of every kind of animal from the flood. 3. The FloodA cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth of its wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark. 4. The EarthThe entire planet, which was covered by the floodwaters, leading to the destruction of all life outside the ark. 5. GodThe sovereign Creator who judged the earth's wickedness with the flood but showed mercy by preserving Noah and the ark's inhabitants. Teaching Points God's Judgment and MercyThe flood demonstrates God's righteous judgment against sin and His mercy in providing a way of salvation through Noah and the ark. Obedience to God's CommandsNoah's obedience in building the ark is a model for us to follow God's instructions, even when they seem daunting or countercultural. Faith in ActionNoah's faith was evidenced by his actions. Our faith should also lead to tangible expressions of obedience and trust in God. The Consequences of SinThe destruction of all life outside the ark serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. Hope and RenewalJust as God provided a new beginning for Noah and his family, He offers us new life through Jesus Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Noah's obedience to God's commands challenge us in our daily walk with God? 2. In what ways can we prepare for Christ's return, as Jesus referenced the days of Noah in Matthew 24? 3. How does the account of the flood illustrate both God's justice and His mercy? 4. What are some modern-day "arks" or means of salvation that God provides for us, and how can we recognize them? 5. How can we, like Noah, be "preachers of righteousness" in a world that often rejects God's truth? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 6:5-8Provides context for God's decision to send the flood due to humanity's pervasive wickedness, highlighting Noah's righteousness. Matthew 24:37-39Jesus references the days of Noah to illustrate the suddenness of His return and the importance of being prepared. 2 Peter 2:5Peter describes Noah as a "preacher of righteousness," emphasizing his role in warning others and his faithfulness. Hebrews 11:7Noah is commended for his faith, which led him to build the ark and become an heir of righteousness. Revelation 3:10Speaks of God's protection for the faithful during times of trial, paralleling Noah's preservation during the flood. People Ham, Japheth, Noah, ShemPlaces FloodTopics Air, Alive, Alone, Along, Animals, Ark, Beast, Birds, Blotted, Cattle, Creatures, Creeping, Death, Destroyed, Destruction, Face, Fowl, Ground, Heaven, Heavens, Including, Kept, Livestock, Move, Moving, Noah, Ship, Sky, Substance, Surface, Thus, Wiped, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 7:23 1347 covenant, with Noah
7145 remnant Genesis 7:1-24 7203 ark, Noah's Genesis 7:11-24 7227 flood, the Genesis 7:13-23 4604 animals, nature of Genesis 7:20-23 4605 animals, religious role Genesis 7:21-23 1310 God, as judge Library On Gen. vii. 6
On Gen. vii. 6 Hippolytus, the Syrian expositor of the Targum, has said: We find in an ancient Hebrew copy that God commanded Noah to range the wild beasts in order in the lower floor or storey, and to separate the males from the females by putting wooden stakes between them. And thus, too, he did with all the cattle, and also with the birds in the middle storey. And God ordered the males thus to be separated from the females for the sake of decency and purity, lest they should perchance get intermingled …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of HippolytusAn Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Exhortations to those who are Called
IF, after searching you find that you are effectually called, I have three exhortations to you. 1. Admire and adore God's free grace in calling you -- that God should pass over so many, that He should pass by the wise and noble, and that the lot of free grace should fall upon you! That He should take you out of a state of vassalage, from grinding the devil's mill, and should set you above the princes of the earth, and call you to inherit the throne of glory! Fall upon your knees, break forth into …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
(Borders of Samaria and Galilee.) ^C Luke XVII. 11-37. ^c 11 And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. [If our chronology is correct, Jesus passed northward from Ephraim about forty miles, crossing Samaria (here mentioned first), and coming to the border of Galilee. He then turned eastward along that border down the wady Bethshean which separates the two provinces, and crossed the Jordan into Peræa, where we soon …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 7:23 NIVGenesis 7:23 NLTGenesis 7:23 ESVGenesis 7:23 NASBGenesis 7:23 KJV
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