Genesis 6:17-22

17 "Behold, 1I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish.
18 "But I will establish 2My covenant with you; and 3you shall enter the ark -you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
19 "4And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.
20 "5Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.
21 "As for you, take for yourself some of all 6food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them."
22 7Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.

Genesis 6:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 6

This chapter gives an account of the wickedness of the old world, both among the profane and the professors of religion, which was taken notice of and resented by God, upon which he determined the destruction of it, Ge 6:1-7 only one man, Noah, is excepted, who found favour with God, and whose character is given, Ge 6:8-10 and to whom was observed by God the general corruption of the earth, Ge 6:11-13 and to whom he gave orders and directions for the building an ark for himself, and his family, being determined to destroy the earth with a flood, and all creatures in it, Ge 6:14-17 only he would preserve him and his wife, his three sons and their wives, and two of every living creature, for which, and for himself and his family, he was to take food into the ark when built, Ge 6:18-21 and the chapter is concluded with observing, that Noah did as he was commanded, Ge 6:22.

Cross References 7

  • 1. 2 Peter 2:5
  • 2. Genesis 9:9-16; Genesis 17:7
  • 3. Genesis 7:7
  • 4. Gen 7:2, 14, 15
  • 5. Genesis 7:3
  • 6. Genesis 1:29, 30
  • 7. Genesis 7:5; Hebrews 11:7
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