Genesis 6:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽאֲנִ֗י

H589

הִנְנִי֩

H2009

And behold

lo!

מֵבִ֨יא

H935

even I do bring

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּבּ֥וּל

H3999

a flood

a deluge

מַ֙יִם֙

H4325

of waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בָּאָ֖רֶץ

H776

that is in the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְשַׁחֵ֣ת

H7843

to destroy

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

#10

כֹּ֥ל

H3605

and every thing

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#11

בָּשָׂ֗ר

H1320

all flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#12

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

בּוֹ֙

#14

ר֣וּחַ

H7307

wherein is the breath

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

#15

חַיִּ֔ים

H2416

of life

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#16

מִתַּ֖חַת

H8478

from under

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

#17

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם

H8064

heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#18

כֹּ֥ל

H3605

and every thing

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#19

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#20

בָּאָ֖רֶץ

H776

that is in the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

יִגְוָֽע׃

H1478

shall die

to breathe out, i.e., (by implication) expire

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 6 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on life address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?

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