Genesis 6:17
“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.”
KJV
Read in Genesis 6Meaning
The flood is presented as divine judgment in this narrative, not as permission for later human destruction.
Read carefully
The judgment belongs to God's action in the flood narrative and cannot authorize later human violence or mass destruction.
Reflection
The flood announcement heightens the seriousness of judgment while preparing for covenant and preservation.