Definition: And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It’s a really important and dramatic passage in the Bible! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a massive flood – a huge amount of water – that covered the entire Earth. And it focuses on one man, Noah, who was saved. Let’s look at each part: “And every living substance…destroyed…” – This means everything that was alive – humans, animals, plants – was wiped out. It wasn't just a little bit of things dying; it was everything . “…both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven…” – This lists all the different kinds of creatures on Earth. Think of it like a giant list of animals, plants, and insects. "...and they were destroyed from the earth: and they were destroyed [alive]..." - This is the key part! It’s saying that all these things – everything that was alive – was completely gone. They weren't just surviving; they were utterly vanished. “And Noah only remained [alive]…” - This tells us about Noah. He was spared because he built a great ship, the Ark, and went with him on it. So, the whole point of this verse is to tell us that God’s judgment was very severe. He decided to send a massive flood to cleanse the Earth of wickedness and evil. Why is this important? This story shows that God loves his creation and is willing to punish those who are not right with God. It's a reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is to follow God’s rules. Important Note: The word "destroyed" in the original Hebrew means completely destroyed, not just damaged or weakened. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give you a little background on why this story is significant?