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Genesis 7:21

Genesis 7:21 in Multiple Translations

And every living thing that moved upon the earth perished—birds, livestock, animals, every creature that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind.

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both birds, and cattle, and beasts, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

And destruction came on every living thing moving on the earth, birds and cattle and beasts and everything which went on the earth, and every man.

Everything living on earth died—the birds, livestock, wild animals, all creatures that run along the ground, and all the people.

Then all flesh perished that moued vpon the earth, both foule and cattell and beast, and euery thing that creepeth and moueth vpon the earth, and euery man.

and expire doth all flesh that is moving on the earth, among fowl, and among cattle, and among beasts, and among all the teeming things which are teeming on the earth, and all mankind;

All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man.

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

And all flesh was destroyed that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beasts, and of all creeping things that creep upon the earth: and all men.

As a result, every living creature on the surface of the earth died. That included birds and livestock and wild animals and other creatures that scurry across the ground, and all the people.

All the people and animals that lived on the earth died. Only the people and animals on that big boat didn’t die. The flood water killed all the birds, and it killed all the animals, the wild animals and the animals that are not wild, and it killed all the animals that crawl around on the ground, and all the people.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 7:21

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 7:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּגְוַ֞ע כָּל בָּשָׂ֣ר הָ/רֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל הָ/אָ֗רֶץ בָּ/ע֤וֹף וּ/בַ/בְּהֵמָה֙ וּ/בַ֣/חַיָּ֔ה וּ/בְ/כָל הַ/שֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַ/שֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָ/אָ֑רֶץ וְ/כֹ֖ל הָ/אָדָֽם
וַ/יִּגְוַ֞ע gâvaʻ H1478 to die Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
בָּשָׂ֣ר bâsâr H1320 flesh N-ms
הָ/רֹמֵ֣שׂ râmas H7430 to creep Art | V-Qal
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
הָ/אָ֗רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs
בָּ/ע֤וֹף ʻôwph H5775 bird Prep | N-ms
וּ/בַ/בְּהֵמָה֙ bᵉhêmâh H929 animal Conj | Prep | N-fs
וּ/בַ֣/חַיָּ֔ה chay H2416 alive Conj | Prep | N-fs
וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | Prep | N-ms
הַ/שֶּׁ֖רֶץ sherets H8318 swarm Art | N-ms
הַ/שֹּׁרֵ֣ץ shârats H8317 to swarm Art | V-Qal
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs
וְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms
הָ/אָדָֽם ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 7:21

וַ/יִּגְוַ֞ע gâvaʻ H1478 "to die" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to die or expire, like when Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross in Matthew 27:50. It implies a complete stop, like a final breath. It is used in the Bible to describe the end of life.
Definition: 1) to expire, die, perish, give up the ghost, yield up the ghost, be dead, be ready to die 1a) (Qal) to expire, die, be about to die
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish. See also: Genesis 6:17; Job 3:11; Psalms 88:16.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּשָׂ֣ר bâsâr H1320 "flesh" N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
הָ/רֹמֵ֣שׂ râmas H7430 "to creep" Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to creep or move lightly, often used to describe the movement of animals. It appears in the Bible to describe the action of creeping things, such as insects or reptiles. In KJV translations, it is rendered as 'creep' or 'move'.
Definition: 1) to creep, move lightly, move about, walk on all fours 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to creep, teem (of all creeping things) 1a2) to creep (of animals) 1a3) to move lightly, glide about (of water animals) 1a4) to move about (of all land animals generally)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: creep, move. See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 69:35.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָ֗רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
בָּ/ע֤וֹף ʻôwph H5775 "bird" Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
וּ/בַ/בְּהֵמָה֙ bᵉhêmâh H929 "animal" Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
וּ/בַ֣/חַיָּ֔ה chay H2416 "alive" Conj | Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/שֶּׁ֖רֶץ sherets H8318 "swarm" Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word means a swarm of small animals like insects or reptiles, often found in the book of Genesis. It describes a large group of tiny creatures moving together. In the Bible, it is used to describe the abundance of God's creation.
Definition: 1) teeming or swarming things, creepers, swarmers 1a) of insects, animals, small reptiles, quadrupeds
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: creep(-ing thing), move(-ing creature). See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 11:29; Deuteronomy 14:19.
הַ/שֹּׁרֵ֣ץ shârats H8317 "to swarm" Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to swarm or abound, and is used in the Bible to describe the multiplication of living things, like in Genesis 8:17. It can also mean to breed or increase, and is often associated with the abundance of God's creation. The word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to teem, swarm, multiply 1a) to swarm, teem 1b2) to swarm
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: breed (bring forth, increase) abundantly (in abundance), creep, move. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 11:29; Psalms 105:30.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ/אָדָֽם ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" Art | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.

Study Notes — Genesis 7:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Genesis 6:13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.
2 Genesis 7:4 For seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living thing I have made.”
3 Genesis 6:17 And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.
4 Genesis 6:6–7 And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”
5 Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope
6 Luke 17:27 People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
7 Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.
8 Jeremiah 12:3–4 But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage. How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.”
9 Zephaniah 1:3 “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
10 Joel 2:3 Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland— surely nothing will escape them.

Genesis 7:21 Summary

Genesis 7:21 tells us that every living thing on earth perished in the flood, except for those on the ark with Noah. This shows us how serious God is about sin and how much He wants to start fresh with people who love and obey Him, as seen in Genesis 6:5-7. The flood was a devastating event, but it also reminds us of God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood, as stated in Genesis 9:11. By trusting in God's mercy and promises, like Noah did, we can experience salvation and a new beginning, just like Noah and his family did after the flood, as seen in Genesis 8:1 and 9:1-17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that every living thing perished in the flood?

According to Genesis 7:21, every living thing that moved upon the earth perished, including birds, livestock, animals, and all mankind, because of God's judgment on sin, as seen in Genesis 6:5-7.

Why did God destroy all living creatures in the flood?

God destroyed all living creatures because of the wickedness and corruption of mankind, as stated in Genesis 6:11-13, and to establish a new beginning with Noah and his family, as seen in Genesis 9:1-17.

Did any living creatures survive the flood?

Yes, according to Genesis 7:21 and Genesis 8:1, Noah, his family, and two of every kind of animal that entered the ark with him survived the flood, demonstrating God's mercy and provision, as promised in Genesis 6:18-20.

What can we learn from the universal destruction in the flood?

The flood teaches us about God's holiness, justice, and mercy, as seen in Genesis 7:21 and other passages, and reminds us of the importance of repentance and obedience to God, as emphasized in 2 Peter 3:9-14.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the destruction of all living creatures in the flood reveal about God's character and His response to sin?
  2. How does the preservation of Noah and his family in the ark demonstrate God's mercy and faithfulness to His promises?
  3. In what ways can we, like Noah, be faithful to God's commands and experience His salvation in our own lives, as seen in Hebrews 11:7?
  4. What warnings or lessons can we apply to our own lives from the account of the flood, considering passages like Matthew 24:37-39 and 1 Peter 3:20?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 7:21

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth,.... That had animal life in them, of which motion was a sign: both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth on the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 7:21

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All flesh died that moved upon the earth.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 7:21

All flesh that moved, i.e. lived; for motion is a sign of life.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 7:21

Genesis 7:21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:Ver. 21. And every man died.] Now these mockers behold that ark with envy, that erst they beheld with scorn; they wish themselves in the darkest corner of it, that lately laughed at it, and perhaps did what they could to hinder the finishing of it. Yea, some, likely, to save them from drowning, caught at and clung as fast to the outside of the ark as Joab, for the same cause, did to the horns of the altar. But all in vain; for, Verisimile eat non abstinuisse manus ab opere turbando . - Piscator.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 7:21

21. And all flesh died — In the land inhabited by man. Far as the narrator could see the mountains were covered, and all living things were swept away. See the introductory note on the extent of the deluge.

Sermons on Genesis 7:21

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 6:17-22 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Noah and the flood from the Bible. He emphasizes that Noah did not have to go out and hunt the animals for the ark, but rather th
Leonard Ravenhill (Hebrews) 6-Noah by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of faith in pleasing God. He emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The speaker also highlights the co
A.W. Tozer (Hebrews - Part 34): Noah Dared to Believe God by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing how some people are easily moved to tears and love stories. He shares a story about a faithful dog who went out in a storm to brin
Jonathan Edwards The Judgment Day by Jonathan Edwards In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of the last trumpet and the resurrection of the dead. He explains that God sent forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet
A.W. Tozer (Hebrews - Part 22): Moses Instructed in Making the Temple by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of following the pattern shown in the mount, which refers to the instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The preac
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 38:24-26 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being concerned with the size of the crowd when preaching the word of God. He believes that if the word of God is given
Paul Washer Faith Obeys (3 of 4) by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher uses a vivid example of a boy with sagging pants to illustrate the importance of not conforming to the ways of the world. He emphasizes that our outwar

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