Devine Scripture

Genesis 6:17

What does Genesis 6:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:17 means

Jehovah unequivocally states His personal intent: \"I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.\" This powerful declaration emphasizes God's sovereign control over creation and His decisive action. It leaves no doubt about the origin of the flood or its destructive purpose, affirming that it is a divine judgment against life on earth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For truly, I will send a great flow of waters over the earth, for the destruction from under the heaven of all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything on the earth will come to an end.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And I, lo, I am bringing in the deluge of waters on the earth to destroy all flesh, in which <FI>is<Fi> a living spirit, from under the heavens; all that <FI>is<Fi> in the earth doth expire.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Behold, I will bring the waters of a great flood upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life under heaven. All things that are in the earth shall be consumed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I, behold, I bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy all flesh under the heavens in which is the breath of life: everything that is on the earth shall expire.

Context

This verse follows the detailed instructions for building the ark, clarifying *why* such a vessel is necessary. It serves as God's solemn declaration of the coming flood, confirming the previously announced judgment (verse 7) and defining its scope as a global destruction of all air-breathing life. This explicitly states the purpose for the ark's construction.

v.16A light shalt thou make to the ark, and to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

v.17This passage

v.18But I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 29:10

    Jehovah satas Kingat the Flood; Yea, Jehovah sitteth as King for ever.

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

  • Isaiah 54:9

    For this isasthe waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

  • Ezekiel 34:20

    Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

  • Ezekiel 34:11

    For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.

  • Genesis 7:17

    And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.

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