Genesis 7:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Scripture rightly notes that all who were on the land faced death, but it highlights that only one just man, along with those in the ark, was spared. They were saved because they had entered the ark in accordance with God's instructions, having forsaken the dry land.

Is it really necessary to search far for illustrations when we find statements such as, “Let the earth bring forth a living soul” (Genesis 1:24) right above? Then, as we turn the pages, we encounter the account of the flood where it states, “All that had the breath of the spirit of life in their nostrils on dry land died” (Genesis 7:22). Thus, when we see similar phrases concerning livestock and note that in comparable contexts the Greeks prefer the term πνοή over πνεῦμα, it becomes evident that Scripture refers to the soul as living simply through its chosen expressions.

In the time of Noah, all living beings were lost to the flood, yet the righteous man and his family were preserved, as noted in Genesis 7:21-23. The flood serves as a symbol of baptism, as referenced in sacramental teachings. When mortal life ceases, does not humanity face destruction? The external being fades away, while the inner self is revitalized, as affirmed in 2 Corinthians 4:16. This transformation occurs not only through baptism but also through repentance, where the flesh dies to promote the spirit's life. St. Paul underscores this through his apostolic teaching: "I have determined, as if I were with you: he that hath done such a thing .... to be delivered up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 5:3, 5).

During the era of the flood, it is recorded that ‘all flesh moving upon the earth died’—not only in the areas inhabited by humanity but also in distant regions far removed from human presence, where human influence could not extend. This illustrates the severity of humanity's sinfulness before God, evidenced by the fact that even an unreasoning creature faced condemnation because of it, with the great distances that lay between it and mankind offering no protection from such ruin.