Genesis 6:11 kjv
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Genesis 6:11 nkjv
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Genesis 6:11 niv
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence.
Genesis 6:11 esv
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
Genesis 6:11 nlt
Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence.
Genesis 6 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 6:5 | ...every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | The root of human corruption: inner evil. |
| Gen 6:12 | And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. | Confirms universal corruption of mankind. |
| Gen 6:13 | And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them... | God's declaration of judgment due to violence. |
| Ps 14:2 | The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. | God's continuous observation of humanity. |
| Ps 33:13-15 | The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men... He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. | God's comprehensive knowledge of humanity. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | Divine omnipresence and justice. |
| Ps 11:5 | The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. | God's abhorrence of violence. |
| Isa 59:6-8 | Their works are works of iniquity... The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings. | Parallel to pervasive sin and injustice. |
| Jer 20:8 | For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me. | Prophetic cry against prevalent violence. |
| Ezek 8:17 | Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations...? for they have filled the land with violence... | Later instance of pervasive violence causing judgment. |
| Matt 24:37-39 | But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be... | The moral conditions of Noah's time as a sign of end times. |
| Luke 17:26-27 | And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. | Jesus directly connects Noah's days to His return. |
| Gen 6:7 | And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth... | Divine resolution due to corruption and violence. |
| Rom 1:29-32 | Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity... | Description of a morally corrupt and violent society. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. | Consequence of such corruption and violence. |
| Gen 6:8-9 | But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. | Contrast to the corrupt earth: Noah's righteousness. |
| 2 Pet 2:5 | And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly... | God's judgment and preservation of the righteous. |
| Isa 11:9 | They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord... | Prophetic reversal of violence in the messianic age. |
| Isa 65:25 | The wolf and the lamb shall feed together... they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. | Imagery of a future free from violence and harm. |
| Rev 21:4 | And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain... | Final eradication of suffering and results of violence. |
| Judg 2:19 | And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers... | Recurring theme of humanity's propensity to corruption. |
| Deut 31:29 | ...for I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you... | Prophetic warning of future corruption and disobedience. |
| Ps 107:42 | The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. | Contrast of righteous observation with silencing of iniquity. |
| Hab 1:2-3 | O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!... why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me... | Prophet lamenting over the presence of violence. |
Genesis 6 verses
Genesis 6 11 Meaning
Genesis 6:11 profoundly describes the pervasive spiritual and moral decay that engulfed humanity before the great flood. It presents a world that had completely departed from God’s righteous order. The term "corrupt" points to a defilement and ruin of character and moral uprightness, signifying that the earth and its inhabitants had thoroughly spoiled their way before the Almighty. This deep-seated corruption manifested outwardly as widespread and oppressive "violence," indicating not merely isolated acts of aggression, but a pervasive atmosphere of injustice, cruelty, and societal breakdown that threatened life itself. The divine observation "before God" underscores the fact that this depravity was plainly seen and grieved by God, prompting His subsequent judgment.Genesis 6 11 Context
Genesis 6:11 appears within the grim prelude to the Flood narrative, a pivotal moment in the biblical account of human history. The preceding verses (Gen 6:1-4) describe the "sons of God" taking "daughters of men" and the resulting birth of the "Nephilim," which suggests an unnatural intertwining that further destabilized human society and perhaps led to exacerbated wickedness. Verse 5 explicitly states that "the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This provides the inner state leading to the outer conditions described in verse 11. Verse 11 then describes the visible, manifest symptoms of this profound internal depravity: the earth itself became "corrupt" and "filled with violence." This comprehensive moral decay and social breakdown prompted God's sorrow (Gen 6:6) and His decision to blot out mankind from the face of the earth, leading directly to the commission of Noah to build the ark (Gen 6:13-18). The verse sets the stage for God’s judgment, demonstrating that the corruption was not isolated but global, saturating creation and demanding a divine response.Genesis 6 11 Word analysis
The earth also was corrupt:
- The earth (
ha'aretz): Refers to the physical globe and its inhabitants, emphasizing the universal scope of the problem. It is not just humans who are corrupt, but their corruption has permeated the very environment they live in, suggesting the extent of their depravity has affected the divinely established order of creation. - also (
gam): This small particle signals a further condition or elaboration beyond what was mentioned (e.g., in Gen 6:5). It connects the general wickedness (Gen 6:5) with its visible effect on the earth itself. - was corrupt (
shachath): This Hebrew verb means to spoil, ruin, destroy, pervert, decay, or degenerate. It signifies moral decay and defilement, suggesting a departure from the original, pure state of creation. It implies not just incidental sin but a deliberate and pervasive moral rottenness. This verb is often used in the context of breaking a covenant or distorting justice. It denotes a systemic, widespread ethical and spiritual deterioration.
- The earth (
before God:
- before (
liphnê): Literally "in the face of" or "in the presence of." This highlights divine omnipresence and perfect knowledge. Nothing about humanity's corruption was hidden from God. It emphasizes that the judgment about to be executed was based on full, direct observation and perfect understanding. - God (
Elohim): The general term for God, often signifying Him as Creator and Judge. The fact that the corruption was "before God" indicates that it was a direct affront to His character, His standards, and His very being.
- before (
and the earth was filled with violence:
- and the earth (
w'ha'aretz): Repeats "the earth," underscoring that the consequences of corruption (violence) are global and permeate all societal structures. - was filled (
mâlâ): Signifies a state of saturation; it means to be full, overflowing, or completely dominated by something. This term stresses the extreme pervasiveness of violence, not just isolated acts but a deluge of wrongdoing. - with violence (
châmâs): This critical Hebrew noun means violence, wrong, injustice, or cruelty. It's not just physical assault but often implies a violation of rights, active oppression, lawlessness, and destruction. It suggests a social order utterly broken, where might makes right, and innocent lives are constantly under threat. This type of "violence" is comprehensive, involving unjust exploitation, corruption in governance, and brutality. It reflects the outcome of humanity’s self-serving, evil inclinations (Gen 6:5).
- and the earth (
Genesis 6 11 Bonus section
This verse subtly reveals the profound grief of God over the perversion of His creation. The phrase "before God" isn't merely an observational note but points to God's deep engagement with the human condition and His heart being affected by their choices. The systemic nature of the "corruption" and "violence" reflects humanity's radical fall from grace, a consequence of turning away from God's divine guidelines. It underscores the severity of human sin, highlighting that when unchecked, it leads to societal breakdown and an environment hostile to life. This cosmic picture of defilement foreshadows the need for a cleansing act, which comes in the form of the Flood, and ultimately points towards God's greater plan of redemption and a future new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and there is no more violence.Genesis 6 11 Commentary
Genesis 6:11 paints a stark picture of a world completely submerged in sin and rebellion against God's creational order. The "corruption" describes an inherent and pervasive moral decay, a defilement of the very nature of humanity, stemming from wicked thoughts and desires. This wasn't merely a matter of isolated sins but a widespread, systemic spiritual and ethical rot that affected every facet of life. This internal depravity found its external and devastating expression in "violence," not simply physical aggression, but comprehensive injustice, oppression, and disregard for life and righteousness. The use of "filled" indicates the overwhelming, saturating presence of this cruelty. Everything and everyone was affected.This dual description – internal corruption leading to external violence – portrays a world that had become antithetical to God’s holy and just character. That these conditions existed "before God" emphasizes His clear observation and righteous appraisal. He grieved over His creation, indicating the severity of their departure from His intended design. This verse makes clear that the divine judgment of the Flood was not arbitrary, but a just and necessary response to an utterly depraved and unredeemable world, demonstrating God's abhorrence for sin and His commitment to justice. It also highlights the sanctity of human life and the need for moral order as foundational principles.