What Does It Mean That Human Thoughts Were “Only Evil Continually”?
(Genesis 6:5)
Before the Flood, the book of Genesis describes a world that had spiraled into deep moral and spiritual corruption. The turning point comes in Genesis 6:5, where God assesses humanity:
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
This is one of the strongest condemnations of human sin in the entire Bible. Understanding this statement helps explain both the severity of human rebellion before the Flood and the seriousness with which God responds to it.
1. The Hebrew Meaning of the Phrase
To grasp the intensity of this verse, it helps to look at its key Hebrew words:
• “Every intention” (Hebrew: yetzer)
This refers to the inclination, imagination, purpose, or shaping of the inner life. It’s not just actions—it is the root motivations behind them.
• “Thoughts” (Hebrew: machashavot)
This means plans or mental designs—the inner schemes that guide behavior.
• “Only evil”
This indicates no mixture of good motives. Humanity’s inner orientation was fully bent toward wickedness.
• “Continually” (Hebrew: kol hayom)
Literally means “all day long”—constant, ongoing, unbroken.
This isn’t a moment of weakness. It describes a complete corruption of human nature.
2. This Points to Total Moral Collapse
The verse emphasizes the extent, depth, and constancy of the world’s corruption:
A. Wickedness was “great in the earth”
Sin was not an isolated problem. It was global, affecting entire societies.
B. Evil had moved beyond actions into the heart
The wording focuses on internal life, not just outward behavior.
Humanity’s imaginations, desires, and purposes were twisted. Their lifestyle flowed from their inner condition.
C. No restraint or repentance
“Continually” shows that people didn’t fight their sin. They pursued it continually, without seeking God.
D. A world dominated by violence and corruption
Genesis 6:11–13 interprets this condition:
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The earth was filled with violence
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All flesh had corrupted their way
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Humanity’s behavior threatened God’s creation order
Evil was not only personal—it was social, systemic, and worldwide.
3. This Does Not Mean People Did No Good Actions
The verse does not mean:
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People never helped each other
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Humans lacked intelligence or creativity
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No one showed kindness at all
Rather, it means their motivations were corrupted—their lives were not aligned with God or His purposes. They acted independently of Him, with hearts driven by selfishness, pride, lust, violence, and rebellion.
4. This Describes a Heart Turned Away From God
Scripture shows that true goodness flows from a heart aligned with God. Before the Flood:
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People rejected God’s authority
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They ignored His moral boundaries
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They embraced violence, immorality, and idolatry
Their thought-life was fundamentally opposed to God’s will.
5. This Explains Why God Sent the Flood
Genesis 6:5 forms the basis of God’s judgment:
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Humanity had corrupted the earth
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Sin was continually increasing
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Violence dominated society
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Human imagination had become deformed
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Evil had become the norm, not the exception
The Flood was not sudden or arbitrary—it was a response to complete moral degeneration that threatened the future of God’s creation.
6. A Contrast: Noah Walked With God
Genesis 6:8–9 immediately contrasts Noah:
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He found grace
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He was righteous
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He walked with God
This shows that even in a corrupt world, individuals can choose faithfulness. Noah’s life stands as a witness against a culture that had collapsed spiritually.
7. The Meaning for Today
Genesis 6:5 warns that:
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God sees both actions and intentions
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Sin begins in the heart
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When society normalizes evil, corruption spreads rapidly
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God’s patience has limits, but His grace is available to the faithful
It teaches that the human heart needs transformation—not just better behavior, but renewal from within.
Summary
When Genesis says human thoughts were “only evil continually,” it means:
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Humanity’s inner life was thoroughly corrupted
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People’s desires and imaginations were directed toward sin
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Evil was constant and unrestrained
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Society had collapsed into violence and injustice
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God acted in judgment because corruption had become universal
This verse captures the depth of human rebellion that made the Flood necessary and shows why Noah’s faithfulness shines so brightly in contrast.
What were the conditions on earth that led God to send the Flood