Genesis 6:7 - Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 6:7" mean?
This verse, Genesis 6:7, is a powerful and often disturbing statement about God's regret and intention to wipe out humanity and much of the animal kingdom. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context and various interpretations:
Context: This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Genesis 6, which describes the increasing wickedness and violence of humanity. God observes the corruption and unrighteousness and decides that something must be done.
"Yahweh said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground...'"
"Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing his relationship with creation.
God's statement of destruction is comprehensive. It's not just about punishing individuals but about eradicating humanity from the face of the earth.
The inclusion of animals, creeping things, and birds indicates the comprehensive nature of the destruction. Their fate is intertwined with that of humanity, perhaps because they are also affected by human corruption or because the land itself has become defiled by wickedness.
"...for I am sorry that I have made them."
This is the most controversial part of the verse. The Hebrew word translated as "sorry" or "regret" (Hebrew: nacham) can also carry the meaning of being "grieved" or "relenting."
It conveys a sense of profound disappointment and sorrow on God's part. It's not just a cold, detached decision; it's a response to the deep moral decay of his creation.
It is important to note that the notion of God having regret is a complex theological issue. Some interpretations emphasize that God's "regret" is not like human regret, which stems from mistakes or ignorance. Instead, it may reflect God's sorrow over the consequences of human free will and the departure from his original design.
One perspective is that the term "repent" or "regret" used to describe God in the Old Testament is a form of anthropomorphism, which ascribes human traits and emotions to God. This is done to make God more understandable and relatable to humans.
Interpretations and Theological Considerations:
Divine Justice: Some interpretations emphasize that this verse highlights God's justice and righteousness. The wickedness of humanity had reached a point where it could no longer be tolerated, and God's judgment was necessary to cleanse the earth and prevent further corruption.
Divine Sorrow and Love: Other interpretations focus on the sorrow and grief that God experiences. While God is just, he also loves his creation, and the decision to destroy it causes him deep pain. This highlights the tension between God's justice and his love.
The Problem of Evil: This verse raises the problem of evil: If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does he allow such wickedness to exist? The narrative suggests that human free will and the capacity for sin are part of the explanation.
The Flood as a New Beginning: The flood narrative (which follows this verse) is not just about destruction; it's also about renewal and a new beginning. Noah and his family are spared, and the earth is repopulated, offering humanity a second chance.
Anthropomorphism: It's crucial to understand that the Bible often uses anthropomorphism, attributing human emotions and characteristics to God. This is a way to make God more relatable to human readers, but it doesn't necessarily mean that God experiences emotions in the same way that humans do.
In summary, Genesis 6:7 conveys:
God's deep disappointment and sorrow over the wickedness of humanity.
God's decision to destroy humanity and much of the animal kingdom as a response to this wickedness.
The idea that God's justice and righteousness demand a response to widespread corruption.
The verse is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of living righteously. It also raises profound questions about God's nature, the problem of evil, and the relationship between divine justice and divine love.
Genesis 6:7 - Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.”
What does "Genesis 6:7" mean?
This verse, Genesis 6:7, is a powerful and often disturbing statement about God's regret and intention to wipe out humanity and much of the animal kingdom. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context and various interpretations:
Context: This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Genesis 6, which describes the increasing wickedness and violence of humanity. God observes the corruption and unrighteousness and decides that something must be done.
"Yahweh said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground...'"
"Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing his relationship with creation.
God's statement of destruction is comprehensive. It's not just about punishing individuals but about eradicating humanity from the face of the earth.
The inclusion of animals, creeping things, and birds indicates the comprehensive nature of the destruction. Their fate is intertwined with that of humanity, perhaps because they are also affected by human corruption or because the land itself has become defiled by wickedness.
"...for I am sorry that I have made them."
This is the most controversial part of the verse. The Hebrew word translated as "sorry" or "regret" (Hebrew: nacham) can also carry the meaning of being "grieved" or "relenting."
It conveys a sense of profound disappointment and sorrow on God's part. It's not just a cold, detached decision; it's a response to the deep moral decay of his creation.
It is important to note that the notion of God having regret is a complex theological issue. Some interpretations emphasize that God's "regret" is not like human regret, which stems from mistakes or ignorance. Instead, it may reflect God's sorrow over the consequences of human free will and the departure from his original design.
One perspective is that the term "repent" or "regret" used to describe God in the Old Testament is a form of anthropomorphism, which ascribes human traits and emotions to God. This is done to make God more understandable and relatable to humans.
Interpretations and Theological Considerations:
Divine Justice: Some interpretations emphasize that this verse highlights God's justice and righteousness. The wickedness of humanity had reached a point where it could no longer be tolerated, and God's judgment was necessary to cleanse the earth and prevent further corruption.
Divine Sorrow and Love: Other interpretations focus on the sorrow and grief that God experiences. While God is just, he also loves his creation, and the decision to destroy it causes him deep pain. This highlights the tension between God's justice and his love.
The Problem of Evil: This verse raises the problem of evil: If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does he allow such wickedness to exist? The narrative suggests that human free will and the capacity for sin are part of the explanation.
The Flood as a New Beginning: The flood narrative (which follows this verse) is not just about destruction; it's also about renewal and a new beginning. Noah and his family are spared, and the earth is repopulated, offering humanity a second chance.
Anthropomorphism: It's crucial to understand that the Bible often uses anthropomorphism, attributing human emotions and characteristics to God. This is a way to make God more relatable to human readers, but it doesn't necessarily mean that God experiences emotions in the same way that humans do.
In summary, Genesis 6:7 conveys:
God's deep disappointment and sorrow over the wickedness of humanity.
God's decision to destroy humanity and much of the animal kingdom as a response to this wickedness.
The idea that God's justice and righteousness demand a response to widespread corruption.
The verse is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of living righteously. It also raises profound questions about God's nature, the problem of evil, and the relationship between divine justice and divine love.